Essential fashion item from the '90s making a resurgence, promising to attract admiring glances this season
Best Cropped Cardigans for 2025: A Chic and Functional Wardrobe Essential
In the world of fashion, the cropped cardigan is making a comeback, blending nostalgic '90s flair with modern functionality and versatility. For 2025, the best cropped cardigans are versatile, fitted, and long-sleeved, offering a range of textures and colors suitable for both warm and cool weather styling.
One of the key style trends for 2025 is the long-sleeved, snug-fit cropped cardigan. This design creates a sleek, streamlined silhouette, contrasting nicely with the short length. The color palette is vast, from bright primaries to muted neutrals, allowing for fun and varied styling.
Classic details like double-breasted fronts, notched collars, and welt pockets add polish and sophistication, making these cropped cardigans suitable for both casual and office looks. Brands like J.Crew are offering such designs, with their Marielle Cropped Cardigan being a notable example.
Lightweight knits and breathable fabrics like cotton are popular for warm-weather layering. Open-stitch and two-tone designs provide an airy, fashionable feel.
Styling options for cropped cardigans are plentiful. Pair them with pleated midi skirts, denim, tank tops, dresses, and layer them over turtlenecks or tees for transitional wear. Designers such as Jacquemus, Chanel, and Michael Kors have contributed to the resurgence of cropped cardigans, and high street brands offer accessible options with varied textures and sleeve styles, including puff and bell sleeves.
For shopping, you can find quality cropped cardigans at both designer brands like Jacquemus, Chanel, and Michael Kors, and high-street retailers like Bloomingdale’s (offering styles from Seasalt Cornwall and HOBBS London) and J.Crew (notably the Marielle cardigan). Prices tend to range from about $50 on sale on the high street to higher price points for designer labels.
Whistles offers an oversized cropped cardigan that finishes above the belly button, providing an entry-level approach to the trend. For those averse to traditional cropped cardigan lengths, this could be a great option.
Here is a list of 8 of the best cropped cardigans available now across both the high street and designer brands:
- Serena Bute cropped cardigan - an investment piece for a hard-working capsule wardrobe.
- The Frame cardigan - a more refined take on the cropped cardigan trend.
- Whistles oversized cropped cardigan - an alternative for those averse to traditional cropped cardigan lengths.
- J.Crew’s Marielle Cropped Cardigan - a classic design with a modern twist.
- The Frame cardigan with bell sleeves - a stylish and unique take on the trend.
- Seasalt Cornwall cropped cardigan - a breathable and colourful option from Bloomingdale’s.
- HOBBS London cropped cardigan - a sophisticated and polished option from Bloomingdale’s.
- The Serena Bute cropped cardigan paired with a matching bubble skirt - a top-to-toe matching look for special occasions.
Cropped cardigans have been styled with lace slips, midi skirts, ladylike pleated midi skirts, denim, and summer dresses. Iconic figures like Cameron Diaz and Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy were known for wearing cropped cardigans, making them a timeless fashion choice.
In conclusion, the best cropped cardigans for 2025 are versatile, fitted, and long-sleeved with a range of textures and colors, suitable for both warm and cool weather styling. They appeal to those who want a chic yet functional piece that nods to ‘90s fashion but fits seamlessly into contemporary wardrobes.
expands the fashion-and-beauty realm by including cropped cardigans suitable for home-and-garden settings, creating a stylish blend between living spaces and wardrobe essentials.
Shopping these versatile cropped cardigans is convenient, with options ranging from designer labels like Jacquemus, Chanel, and Michael Kors, to accessible options on the high street at stores like J.Crew, Bloomingdale’s, and Whistles.
Cropped cardigans complement various lifestyle choices, serving as a timeless fashion element that can effortlessly transition from a casual coffee date to a formal dinner party, reflecting the perfect balance of '90s flair and modern functionality.
