These are absolutely amazingly comfortable pants and though casual, they look and fit well enough to be worn outside for any casual occasion.. Fabulous for long plane flights (they don't wrinkle) and you can take out the drawstring as you won't need it since they have a waistband. They wash up and dry beautifully (no shrinkage) and run true to size. I just ordered another pair in black as they are an excellent value at this price.. But I would not call them petite as I am 5'6 1/2" and 168 pounds and the large fits me perfectly.