How to Wear a Cropped Sweater

Co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO® and Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 25, 2022

Cropped sweaters are versatile pieces of clothing that can easily be dressed up or down. You can also style your outfit depending on whether or not you want to show off your midriff. For example, wearing a blouse under a cropped sweater can keep you covered and look dressy enough for the office. For more casual settings when you want your stomach to be visible, try wearing your cropped sweater with skinny jeans or a midi skirt!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Layering Clothes Underneath Cropped Sweaters

1
Wear a cropped sweater over a maxi dress for a versatile look. This is a great way to keep wearing your favorite summer dress when the weather gets cool! The sweater can match your dress for a seamless look, or go with contrasting colors for a bolder look similar to color blocking.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.}
- Neutral colors, like gray and black, tend to look dressier, whereas bright colors feel more casual and fun.
- You can easily pull the sweater on or off, depending on the temperature. If you take the sweater off, tie it around your waist for a cute, casual vibe.
2
Pull your sweater over a button-up blouse for a polished look. Go with a sweater that either matches your button-up for a minimalist vibe or contrast the colors to create a more dynamic look. Try to stick to neutral-tones, like cream, grey, and tan, for professional outfits and save bright colors and patterns for more casual settings. Cropped sweaters with bright patterns look great over matching, single-color button-ups.^{[2]
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- For example, a white cropped sweater over a white button-up looks polished and professional in a work setting.
- A black cropped sweater over a white button-up is still suitable for a professional environment, but the contrast pops and can work great for more formal social situations.
- A bright blue sweater over a blue button-up in a slightly different shade is a great, eye-catching look if you're going out on a date or with friends. This look also works well at school.
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3
Tuck the sweater into a high-waisted mini skirt for a fun, casual look. This is a great look for spring and fall when the weather is mild. Pick your favorite flared skirt and pair it with a cropped sweater of your choice. Then, just tuck the sweater into the waistband of the skirt to keep your tummy covered.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Veronica Tharmalingam
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 6 April 2021.} You can wear the sweater by itself or with a top underneath if you want an additional layer to keep warm.^{[4]
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- For example, you could wear a white skirt with a pastel cropped sweater for a fresh spring vibe.
- For a slightly edgier look, try a tartan skirt with a black, navy, or burgundy cropped sweater.
- This look goes well with cute, vintage sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat.^{[5]
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4
Try a tank top underneath your sweater to eliminate bulky layers. Wearing a regular shirt underneath a sweater can sometimes feel bulky or uncomfortable. A slim-fitting tank top is a great alternative! The tank top will keep your stomach covered, and you can still play around with contrasting colors for the top and bottom layers.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.}
- If your cropped sweater has a wide or off-the-shoulder collar, the straps of your cami will peek through at the neckline, which can be super cute.
5
Opt for a flowy blouse underneath for a feminine look. Layer your cropped sweater over a long, flowing blouse in any matching color or pattern that you like to create a soft, pretty vibe. Look for loose blouses with embellishments like lace or intricate stitching to add even more visual interest.
- For example, you could wear a flowy pink blouse under a white cropped sweater for a sweet look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Baring Your Midriff

1
Match a cropped sweater with skinny jeans for a casual or dressy look. A cropped sweater with your favorite high-waisted skinny jeans is a classic look that can easily be dressed up or down. There are endless styles for cropped sweaters and skinny jeans, so you can experiment with mixing and matching to create tons of looks!^{[7]
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- For a night out, you could wear a black cropped sweater with black skinny jeans and heels to create a super sleek outfit.
- Alternatively, for a fun day out with friends, try light wash skinny jeans with a colorful cropped sweater and your favorite sneakers.
2
Pair a cropped sweater with boyfriend jeans for a relaxed vibe. Boyfriend jeans are baggy and usually come in casual-looking light washes. This pairing works great for cool weather when you want to look both cozy and cute!
- For example, wear light wash, high-waisted boyfriend jeans with a bright-colored cropped sweater, like yellow or red, for a laid back style that still looks fashionable.^{[8]
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3
Try a cropped sweater with trousers for a polished look. Wearing high-waisted trousers with tapered legs and a matching cropped sweater looks sleek and slightly formal. This would be an excellent outfit choice for a first date, since you want to look polished and sexy!
- For example, wear black, tan, or grey tapered pants with your favorite neutral-toned cropped sweater.
- Tapered pants that tie around the waist work especially well for this look.
4
Wear a cropped sweater with shorts in casual settings. A cropped sweater with shorts is a cute look for casual, outdoor settings when the weather is mild. Pick your favorite denim shorts and a brightly colored cropped sweater for an eye-catching yet laid back look.
- Wearing high-waisted black, white, or tan shorts with a neutral-toned sweater can create a slightly more formal vibe.
5
Match a cropped sweater with a midi skirt for a night on the town. For a minimalist outfit, pick a matching black, white, grey, or cream cropped sweater and high-waisted midi skirt. Alternatively, go with contrasting colors for a statement outfit.
- For example, you could try a deep purple midi skirt and a mustard yellow cropped sweater for a striking look that's perfect for a night out.
- Choose a free-flowing midi skirt for a relaxed look or a bodycon midi skirt for a bold, stylish outfit.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Accessorizing a Cropped Sweater

1
Wear matching tights with a cropped sweater and skirt to keep warm. You can wear plain or patterned tights that complement your sweater and skirt, depending on the vibe you're trying to create. For a minimalist look on a winter day, you could wear a cream, grey, or black cropped sweater with matching tights and a neutral-toned skirt.
- For a bolder look, go with brightly colored tights, like blue or green. Fun patterns can also make a stylish statement!
2
Match a cropped sweater with heels for dressy looks. Heels can easily transform a cropped sweater from relaxed to formal. Wear heels that match a bright cropped sweater for a fun yet classy outfit. Wearing neutral heels with a matching cropped sweater, blouse, and high-waisted trousers would work great in an office setting.^{[9]
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- Heels can look really striking with high-waisted skinny jeans and tapered pants.
3
Wear combat boots with your cropped sweater for an edgy style. Cropped sweaters tend to look quite delicate, so try out combat boots for a bolder style. Match black combat boots with high-waisted skinny jeans and a brightly colored cropped sweater for a casual day with your friends.^{[10]
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- Wear the sweater with a longer top underneath for a more polished look.
4
Pair your cropped sweater with sneakers for a laid-back outfit. A cropped sweater with sneakers is the perfect outfit for casual adventures with friends! Pick your favorite sneakers to wear with jeans and a black, pink, blue, red, or green cropped sweater so that you can be warm and comfortable.^{[11]
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- Opt for solid-colored sneakers with a patterned sweater or patterned sneakers with a solid-colored sweater.
5
Wear a chunky necklace with your sweater to create a statement outfit. A chunky, bold necklace is a great way to take your cropped sweater from casual to formal. Pick a necklace that has either a chunky chain or a large pendant, and match this with a solid-colored sweater.
- A bold navy necklace would pair well with a gray sweater and black skirt. Add some pumps and you're ready to go!
6
Try round sunglasses with a cropped sweater for a vintage feel. This look is perfect for a day out with friends. Pick a white, cream, or pastel cropped sweater and wear your favorite black or brown round sunglasses. The sunglasses and cropped sweater pair well with a floral dress or tennis skirt.^{[12]
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7
Match a cropped sweater with a shoulder bag for a cute look. A small, cute shoulder bag goes well with both professional and casual cropped sweater outfits. Try a black, tan, or grey shoulder bag with a cropped sweater and a midi skirt or tapered pants.
- Alternatively, pick a bold red, blue, coral, or pink shoulder bag to wear with a cropped sweater and jeans for a fun, casual style.
8
Show off your favorite belt with a cropped sweater. Since your belt will be visible, choose something eye-catching! For example, you could wear a belt with intricate embellishments, metal detailing, or special stitching. The belt can match your outfit if you want a seamless look, or you can wear a contrasting color to break up the lines of your outfit.
- You can also play around with belt width to create different looks!

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I wear a cropped sweater without showing stomach?

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University.

Kathi Burns, CPO®

Board Certified Professional Organizer

Expert Answer

Throw on a light top underneath that extends to your waistline. Just don't overdo it with a thicker fabric. If you're going to layer, do it with something thin and breathable.
Question

How can I wear a cropped sweater without showing my stomach?

Veronica Tharmalingam
Professional Stylist
Veronica Tharmalingam is a Personal Stylist who runs her fashion consulting business, SOS Fashion, in Los Angeles, California and Paris, France. She has over 10 years of experience crafting stylish wardrobes for men and women. Veronica is also a professional model and has worked with international brands like Harrods, LVMH, and L'Oreal.

Veronica Tharmalingam

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Wear a high-waisted skirt or pair of pants if you don't want to reveal so much of your stomach.
Question

What if I'm male? Are there any recommended pants for men wearing cropped sweaters?

Fish000

Community Answer

Trying wearing high wasted jeans that are cuffed at the bottom. It's very stylish.