The 18 Best Cropped Cardigans and Sweaters That Are On-Trend

last updated 17 December 2024

Nothing defines easy fall dressing quite like a cropped cardigan. If putting together a cute outfit seems like too much to handle right now, a shrunken knit with your favorite jeans are the perfect answer. Styles range from basic button-ups to embroidered, embellished, or printed knits so there's pretty much something for everyone. (I, for one, am quite partial to the ones I can also wear as a top.)

For some inspiration on the best cropped cardigans for 2025, I turned to some of Instagram's best-dressed ladies like Ellie Nes, Pia Baroncini, and Imani Randolph. During the autumnal months, I love wearing these shrunken knits with slip skirts and a leather jacket if I need another layer. Of course, jeans and boots are also great accompaniments for a cropped cardigan. However you style it, it's safe to say you'll be super comfortable all day long. Scroll down to shop my favorites.

A woman wears a gray cropped cardigan high-waisted skirt, gold sandals, and a off-white bag.

LA Made

Sweet V Cardigan

I've had this in my shopping cart ever since I first laid eyes on it in the summer. It's just that good.

OSIS STUDIO

Jasmine Cardigan

Possibly the easiest way to wear fall's big color trend, chocolate brown.

Amaka wears a pink cropped cardigan, high-waisted jeans, a pearl necklace, and a yellow tote bag.

Camila Coelho

Genevieve Pearl Cardigan

This is a stunner, for obvious reasons.

Alo Yoga

Snuggle Up Sweater Cropped Cardigan

Meet the cardigan It girls adore.

A woman wears a tan cropped cardigan with pearl buttons

Gap

× Cult Gaia Cropped Cable-Knit Cardigan

This is maybe the prettiest sweater I've ever seen.

JACQUEMUS

Bela Cropped Cable-Knit Cardigan

Seeing this in my shopping research actually made my jaw drop.

A woman wears a white cropped cardigan and ivory shorts.

Naadam

Fancy Cashmere Cropped Cardigan

Grab this while it's on sale.

Eterne

Cropped Cardigan

Fashionable celebrities love the elevated essentials brand, Eterne.

A woman wears a pink cardigan, pink printed skirt, white flip-flops, and a pink bottega veneta jodie bag.

Cotton On

Everfine Round Neck Cardigan

So pretty.

MANGO

Button Knit Cardigan

Side effects of wearing this may include compliments and "where did you get that?" inquiries.

A woman waars a tan cropped cardigan, printed corset, khaki pants, and heeled ballet flats.

ZARA

Soft Knit Cardigan

This also comes in chocolate brown and sky blue.

Maeve

The Kinsley Collared Cropped Cardigan

Short-sleeve cardigans are the micro-trend I'm seeing everywhere right now.

Kit wears a black cropped cardigan, white tank top, black skirt, white socks, a black shoulder bag, and black flats.

Open Edit

Cropped Fisherman Cardigan

While you're at it, but the ivory style, too.

BP.

Crop V-Neck Cardigan

This ribbed texture looks so elevated.

A woman wears a tan cable knit cardigan with low-waist jeans.

LOBA

Nili Faux Fur Sweater

This screams "I'm the main character."

Madewell

Cotton-Blend Cardigan

Madewell's selection of sweaters is seriously underrated.

Claire wears a colorful cropped cardigan, white cropped tank top, and high-waisted jeans.

House of Sunny

Country Club Tripper

In one word: fun.

Leset

Lauren Crop Cardigan Ii

This dark green looks so luxe.

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.