And Now, the 18 Best Cropped Cardigans and Sweaters

woman wearing cropped cardigan

(Image credit: @claire_most)

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.

(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

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

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

A woman wears a tan cropped cardigan with pearl buttons

(Image credit: @lpa)

A woman wears a white cropped cardigan and ivory shorts.

(Image credit: @danielleguizio)

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

(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

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

(Image credit: @champagnemani)

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

(Image credit: @kitkeenan)

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

(Image credit: @laurencrowe88)

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

(Image credit: @claire_most)

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

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Senior Editor

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.