The invention of the cardigan dates back to the 1800s, but it first gained popularity in the 1920s, thanks to adoption by revered fashion designer Coco Chanel. Her inclination to wear button-up sweaters because they spared her hair styles led to the Chanel label, as well as to other labels producing their own iterations.
If you want a cropped cardigan that’ll become a wardrobe staple, the Calvin Klein Cropped Open-Front Cardigan is a good bet. While the design is simple, it doesn’t lack style. You can wear this versatile sweater with a large variety of outfits.
What to know before you buy a cropped cardigan
Decide if cropped is right for you
Not everyone likes the way they look in cropped tops and this includes cardigans. If you have a long torso, you may feel the sweater is too short. And if you have a short torso, a cropped length might not look that different from a standard length. It’s an entirely personal choice; there’s no right or wrong answer. You might want to try on a few different cropped cardigans to determine if you like how they look on you.
Determine how cropped you want to go
Cropped cardigans tend to hit at the waist or slightly above the waist. The former length creates a moderate look that’s great for people who don’t want to fully commit to the crop. The latter length is more along the lines of what most people picture when they hear the term “cropped.”
Balance the look
Since the hemline of a cropped cardigan hits at the waist or slightly above, you should make sure the top you layer under it hits at the hips or below the hips. This will balance the look. Avoid a crop top or other short top, and don’t tuck in the top. A tank top, like the ones for women featured in a BestReviews buying guide, is a great option.
Cropped cardigan features
Closures vs. open-front
Many cropped cardigans are designed with an open-front, but a small number do have closures. Common options for closures are buttons or a zipper. Less common are tie closures, which form pretty bows.
Solid color vs. pattern
Keep in mind that a solid color gives a cardigan more versatility; you can typically wear it with more outfits. That said, if versatility isn’t important to you, or you have a quirky sense of style that doesn’t demand coordination, a patterned cropped cardigan can be fun and whimsical.
Type of material
While the majority of cardigans are constructed of fabric, some are made of different types of materials. These materials include lace, leather, suede and sherpa. Fabric creates a more formal, traditional look, an these types include cotton, silk, wool, linen and cashmere.
Cropped cardigan cost
Cropped cardigans are similar in price point to traditional cardigans. Well-made cropped cardigans start around $40 and top out around $100.
Cropped cardigan FAQ
What’s a cropped cardigan?
A. Also called a shrug, a cropped cardigan is a shorter version of a classic cardigan. The hemline hits at the waist or slightly above it. Cropped cardigans can have short sleeves, but most are designed with three-quarter length or full-length sleeves. Some have closures, while others are open in the front. While you can wear a cropped cardigan constructed with closures solo, they’re most often layered on top of a shirt.
What’s the difference between a cropped cardigan and a bolero jacket?
A. Bolero jackets are more formal in style than cropped cardigans. They’re basically a short jacket that has a tailored aesthetic. Bolero jackets are more structured and a bit longer than cropped cardigans.
Which cropped cardigan should you get?
Best of the best cropped cardigan
Calvin Klein Cropped Open-Front Cardigan: available at Macy’s
Our take: If you want a cropped cardigan that has what it takes to become a wardrobe staple ? namely, versatile colors and a simple style ? this one fits the bill.
What we like: Featuring an elegant shawl neck collar and a fitted silhouette, this cropped cardigan will look good with many different types of clothing, from jeans to a dress. Three-quarter length sleeves make this sweater a great transitional piece that spans multiple seasons. Ribbed-knit trims the open collar, wrists and waistline of the cardigan, and you can choose from four neutral colors to maximize how often you’re able to wear this sweater: black, white, aubergine and indigo.
What we dislike: At least one buyer reported the length of the cardigan was a bit too short for people who have a long torso.
Best bang for your buck cropped cardigan
Connected Scalloped Lace Shrug: available at Macy’s
Our take: This pretty lace shrug with a scalloped design will inject your wardrobe with a hefty dose of femininity.
What we like: All-over lace gives this cropped cardigan a romantic, ultra-feminine look. The scalloped open front adds stylish flair, setting this shrug apart from other lacy versions, and the scalloped design wraps around the entire piece, draping over the back of your neck for a Victorian-inspired look. Rather than hiding your ensembles, the semi-sheer lace fabric displays them to full advantage, an effect that’s on-trend and striking. You can also show off bracelets, thanks to the three-quarter length sleeves. Chances are, you’ll want this lace shrug in both the white and black color ? and at this budget-friendly price point, you can afford it.
What we dislike: A couple of buyers took issue with the lace, saying that it looked cheap. A different buyer said the fabric snagged easily and quickly developed fuzz as a result.
Honorable mention cropped cardigan
Tommy Hilfiger Contrast-Stripe Cardigan: available at Macy’s
Our take: This moderately cropped cardigan features an eye-catching contrast stripe around the open front, collar, hem and sleeves, along with chic logo buttons on the sleeves.
What we like: This cardigan owes its chic style to a white stripe running along the open front, collar, hem and sleeves. The ivory white stripe contrasts strikingly with the black background. Four gleaming gold-tone buttons on each three-quarter length sleeve, etched with the Tommy Hilfiger logo, exude sophistication. Since this sweater is more moderate in length than other cropped cardigans, it’s also a good choice for people who don’t want to commit to an above-the-waist length.
What we dislike: Damage upon receipt was the issue voiced by one buyer, who reported the price tag caught on the fabric and snagged it.
Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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