A cropped sweater over dress looks are some of my favorites, and seeing them trending for spring has me so excited to style some of these looks this season.
I love layering, and there’s a lot to it. As a personal stylist, I get to work with different body types all day every day and see how things layer differently on different proportions.
So I’m here to not just show you cute inspiration pictures of different outfit ideas, but how to troubleshoot when something isn’t quite working. It’s probably proportions if I had to guess.
Style Tip: Whether it’s mini or maxi or midi, a dress is a great base to a cute, spring, layered outfit.
Let’s take a look and get some inspiration for these trending spring looks!
I’ve already done a pretty hefty post to show you how to wear a sweater over a dress, but we’re going to be a little more specific today with a cropped sweater post instead.
Table of Contents
Aesthetic Outfit
Sure, you can throw any sweater over any dress, but if you’re going for a specific look, there are some ways to be intentional with the styling of it. Here are some ideas.
1. Body Con
A bodycon dress is always great for layering, and this one is great with a light colored cropped sweater.
2. Hang Loose
The looser fits on top of each other in this look work together because of the way that they drape. It’s a case by case situation if they would work together, and this works because the sweater isn’t fitted in any way.
3. Angled Sweater
This sweater with an extreme crop is basically made for layering. This is interesting visually and I love the unique pieces in the outfit.
4. Matching Set
Matching sets like this style always make for a perfect outfit.
5. Monochrome Texture
Two pieces of the same color can still be interesting when one adds some texture to the look.
Combo Outfit Ideas
Okay, once you’ve found the balance of the dress and the sweater, what do you do with the rest of the outfit? Here’s what I would do!
6. Knit Coordinates
A coordinating set is easy, and I love this one! Easy and breezy.
7. Shrug Sweater
Shrug cropped sweaters are so cute, and this teddy is so cozy.
8. Mixing Patterns
Mixing patterns are tricky, but these color palettes are so perfect together, and that’s what makes it work. Pastels on a white base are great for pairing together.
Cropped Shrugs Over Dresses
A cropped sweater over a dress is easy in theory, but here are some shrug and other ideas to get the look perfect for spring.
9. Tiered Dress
Bright, girly, frilly, tiered dresses are the move this and every spring.
10. Classic Turtleneck
Turtlenecks are the easiest over a bodycon, and it’s the cutest transitional outfit.
11. A Different Kind Of Floral
Pulling the green out of this kind of floral pattern is perfect.
How To Style
Take it to the next level with some of these styling ideas. A good outfit doesn’t just stop at the top and pants!
12. Textured
The crocheted sweater over a dress with some detailing on the waist makes this really interesting styling.
13. Funky Monochrome
Something a little bold and fun like this look will never be out of style.
14. Button Down Dress
Let the collar poke out for a fun detailing on your outfit!
15. Sheer
This sheer sweater is iconic, especially for the lighter breezes coming to us in spring.
Why Cropped Sweaters?
Cropped sweaters are hot trends right now for a few reasons, one being that you can dress it up a little more than an oversized or longer sweater. A cropped one pairs well with high waisted trousers and jeans, and you can show off your waist or appear more put together without having to tuck in your sweater, which can be a hard feat anyway.
And a cropped sweater over a dress is easy because it doesn’t look as frumpy or swallow you like a longer and more oversized sweater can. It’s not all consuming and it allows you to show off more of the dress or your figure, creating a flattering silhouette.
Proportion Tips
Everybody is different, as we know, and every sweater is different too. Just because it hits the site model at one spot doesn’t mean it will hit you in the same spot. Unfortunately.
But there are some rules of thumb that you can follow or some concepts to pay attention to while layering and working with crops, just to see why something maybe doesn’t fit the way you wanted it to.
The first thing to notice is where the waistline of the sweater hits. Wherever the crop hits, it’s going to highlight. So while shopping for a cropped sweater, make sure you find one that stops at the smaller part of your waist. It will feel the most flattering.
If you’re feeling a little top heavy in your sweater/dress combo, you might need to find a less chunky sweater, or one that doesn’t pinch at the waist. I love a cropped chunky sweater, but if it pinches too much at the waistline, it really makes your top look pretty chunky. A good cropped chunky sweater drops down seamlessly. If you need to counteract this, add a dress with a little more volume or is super body conscious.
Lastly, your shoes will always play a part in the balancing act. A sleek and slender look will be a complimented best by sleek shoes like a pump. A chunky sweater can be balanced out by a chunky boot. Have fun with these too, but do remember that your shoes control the look!
Cropped sweaters are some of the best for layering. I love that they let you show off more of the dress so that it shows that’s it’s more than a skirt.
I hope you’re loving this trend for spring as much as I am, especially after these ideas.
Layering is my favorite styling technique, as it opens so many doors for creativity and it just adds something interesting to every outfit.
Have fun with it and remember that playing with different outfit ideas is supposed to be fun!