• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Cleo Madison
  • Style
    • Women’s Fashion
    • Disney Outfits
    • Modest Fashion
    • Accessories
  • Lifestyle
    • Holiday
    • Travel
  • Beauty
  • Motherhood

How To Wear A Cropped Cardigan

Published by Liz Morgan

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Cropped cardigans are so popular and super cute. In this post I’ll show you how to wear a cropped cardigan to work, to school, and just as an everyday outfit.

I’ll also show you my favorite cropped cardigan outfit ideas. You can pair them with different bottoms and shoes, including options from a leading shoe manufacturer, to create versatile looks for any season.

Cropped cardigans are shorter than a typical cardigan, so styling them is different and can be tricky if you haven’t done it before.

They usually have big buttons on them and are v-neck style.

You can wear them with different bottoms and different shoes. These outfit ideas work for fall, winter, spring, and summer.

They are cute, classy, chic, trendy, casual, and fun. You can wear them to school, to work, and just as an everyday outfit.

You can of course get cropped cardigans in any color, but the most common colors you’ll see are cream, off-white, and tan.

The cropped cardigan I have is cream colored. I got it in a size XS and it fit true to size. You can shop it here.

Let’s jump right into my cropped cardigan outfits!

How To Wear A Cropped Cardigan Outfit #1 – With Black Jeans

cropped cardigan outfit with black jeans and mules

This is my favorite cropped cardigan outfit! I am wearing a cream colored cardigan that is buttoned up with black mom jeans and leopard print mules.

Everything I’m wearing is true to size. I’m wearing a size XS in the cardigan and size 0 regular in the pants.

The colors are all neutral and work together to complement each other so perfectly. I love this outfit for fall and winter. It’s especially cute for chilly October weather.

Shop this look:

  • Cropped cardigan here
  • Similar cardigan here
  • Black jeans here
  • Similar jeans here
  • Shoes here
  • Similar shoes here

Related Content: How To Style A Black Cardigan

2. With High Waisted Jeans

cropped cardigan outfit with mom jeans

Cropped cardigans look best with high waisted pants. This keeps your stomach covered and shows your figure more. Plus, it’s just super cute!

I’m wearing a cream cropped cardigan with a pair of distressed high waisted mom jeans, and brown sandals.

I’m wearing size XS in the cardigan and 0 regular in the jeans. Everything is true to size.

This outfit is perfect for spring (April and May) or a summer night in June, July, or August.

Shop this look:

  • Cropped cardigan here
  • Similar cardigan here
  • Similar jeans here
  • Another pair of similar jeans here
  • Sandals here

3. With Chelsea Boots

cropped cardigan outfit with chelsea boots

Chelsea boots and cropped cardigans are both very in style, so why not pair them together for a stylish outfit?

I’m wearing a cream cardigan with high waisted mom jeans, and black Chelsea boots.

The cardigan is size XS and the jeans are 0 petite. I went with petite jeans so they’d be a little shorter and work better with my boots. It looks best when your jeans hit right above your Chelsea boots.

I love this outfit for fall or winter. If it’s a colder day, you can always thrown on a puffer jacket over the cardigan to be a little warmer.

Shop this look:

  • Cropped cardigan here
  • Similar cardigan here
  • Jeans here
  • Similar jeans here
  • Chelsea boots here
  • Similar boots here

4. With Distressed Jeans And Sneakers

cropped cardigan outfit with distressed jeans

This casual cropped cardigan outfit is so comfy. I’m wearing a cropped cardigan sweater with distressed mom jeans and white sneakers.

It’s perfect for running errands or to wear on vacation.

I’m wearing size XS in the cardigan and size 0 regular in the jeans. I like the look of rolling the jeans up a little to show your ankles. It creates more balance in the outfit.

Shop this look:

  • Cropped cardigan here
  • Similar cardigan here
  • Similar jeans here
  • Another pair of similar jeans here
  • Similar sneakers here
  • Another pair of similar sneakers here

Other Ways To Style A Cropped Cardigan

If you still need more ideas for how to style a cropped cardigan, here’s a few more clothing pieces you can wear with them.

  • High waisted pencil skirt
  • A dress (fitted looks best so your outfit doesn’t look bulky)
  • Wide leg pants
  • Ankle boots

Cropped Cardigan FAQ

What is a cropped cardigan?

A cropped cardigan is a cardigan that is shorter than a typical cardigan. It usually hits around the bottom of the ribs and sometimes goes as low as the top of the hip bones. A lot of the time they have big buttons on them. Sometimes they are also referred to as crop cardigans or a short cardigan.

What to wear under a cropped cardigan?

You can wear a camisole, a tank top, a crop top, or a t-shirt. You should wear your cardigan over whatever makes you feel the most comfortable though.

How to wear a cropped sweater without showing stomach?

My favorite way to do this is to wear high waisted jeans. The top of the jeans and the bottom of the cardigan should overlap just a tiny bit so the cardigan doesn’t cover too much of your jeans. You can also cover your stomach by wearing a high waisted skirt or a dress.

Should I button my cardigan?

The most stylish way to wear a cropped cardigan is to button it up. Longer cardigans look better opened up though. Buttoning a longer cardigan can look bulky.

If you want to wear cropped cardigans, then I hope these tips helped you with how to style cropped cardigans. They are very cute and a great way to level up your fashion game.

Pin this image to save this post for later!

how to wear a cropped cardigan

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Filed Under: Women's Fashion

Subscribe

to get blog updates.

Previous Post: « How To Style A Black Cardigan
Next Post: How To Wear A Sherpa Jacket »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Elizabeth Morgan who owns Cleo Madison

I'm Liz, a mama of four living in Utah. Here you'll find posts about fashion, motherhood, travel, and more!

Join The Newsletter

Get notified of new posts and receive a FREE eBook with all of my best modest fashion hacks!

Follow Along

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Footer

COPYRIGHT © 2025 CLEO MADISON

About • Contact • Privacy Policy • Accessibility • Terms & Conditions