One of the things I am always looking to add to my outfits and closet, are great third pieces. And usually for me that’s in a form of a jacket. It’s one of my favorite style tips to make your outfits, even just matching sweatpants, feel more intentional and styled. With the latest denim trends, and wide leg trousers, having a big moment, I have found a cropped jacket is key to making these pieces work with your closet.
A cropped jacket can come in so many styles from a bomber jacket, to denim, leather and even utility cropped jackets. They’re basically just a slightly shorter jacket that hits at or above the hip. While I still love a more oversized blazer or moto jacket, having a few cropped jackets in my closet has made putting outfits together so much easier. Plus, no matter what your personal style is, there’s a cropped jacket to fit your wardrobe.
When you wear a cropped jacket you’re adding a layer of warmth, texture and interest to your outfit. It’s that piece that helps to really complete your look and make it look more pulled together and intentionally styled. If you’ve been struggling with styling your new wider leg jeans or trousers, a cropped third piece will likely be the solution to your style dilemna.
How To Style A Cropped Jacket
Before we get into all of the types of cropped jackets and outfit ideas with them, let’s talk about some general style tips on how to style a cropped jacket. In order to maintain proportions that work and look good with your clothes, you’ll want to ensure you’re pairing your cropped jackets with your high waisted bottoms when possible. This helps to elongate the leg. The cropped length of the jacket is breaking your body into 1/3 at the top, so you want to elongate that last 2/3.
When choosing bottoms, I like a wider leg to balance out the shorter proportion on top. Plus, most cropped jackets aren’t super oversized since there’s minimal length to work with. If you’re wearing a more fitted cropped jacket, try pairing it with a wider piece on the bottom or flowy dress. If the cropped jacket is a bit more relaxed or boxy, you can go more tailored on the bottom like a fitted dress, or straight leg jean.
As for what tops to pair with a cropped jacket, I personally prefer to style them with a fitted top that is tucked into whatever bottoms I am wearing. This helps to define your waist. If you’re not tucking in, it may be helpful to ensure your top isn’t longer than your cropped jacket. So cropped tees or a cropped sweater are key here. You can also go exaggerated and add a long oversized button up to go under a more structured crop jacket like a moto jacket.
How To Style A Cropped Bomber Jacket
A bomber jacket is one that definitely feels a bit more cool and edgy so I like to balance this with something more feminine. These are great with high rise jeans that are a bit more wider or relaxed. You can also dress these up with a heel which adds to the juxtaposition of the cool menswear feel of a bomber jacket.
Cropped Bomber With A Winter White Look
A bomber jacket is the perfect topper to add some edge and a bit of a cool factor to your look. Try a matching knit set in winter white and add a black cropped bomber and accessories. Sneakers or a loafer works here, and just add a black bag to complete this casual, yet pulled together look. The cropped length of the bomber balances out the wide loose leg of these knit pants.
I’d wear this out to run errands or grab a casual lunch with friends. It’s cool yet edgy, but still casual and approachable. It’s relaxed and comfortable too which is key but also feels super stylish without trying too hard.
Cropped Bomber With A Monochromatic Midi Dress Outfit
One of the great things about a cropped jacket is that they add some structure to outfits. A flowy or even fitted, midi or maxi dress will look more complete and styled intentionally when you wear a cropped jacket with it. The cropped bomber adds that cool girl effect to your look. Add a knee high boot and an interesting bag to complete the look. This is the perfect look for the office, or dinner with friends or date night.
How To Style A Cropped Denim Jacket
I think a cropped denim jacket should still be a bit roomy. If it’s shrunken, and cropped, it’s giving 2010s vibes and we want the fresh update to that which is a slightly boxy oversized, yet not long, cropped denim jacket. This is such a versatile piece and can be a great topper to dresses, tees with a cargo or trousers and even skirts.
Satin Wide Leg Pants With A Cropped Denim Jacket
Dress up your cropped denim jacket with a satin wide leg trouser, fitted sweater and a cute low heel. This adds a touch of casual to your dressier pieces for a nice mix. Wear this to the office or to dinner with friends.
Cropped Ecru Denim Jacket For Spring
This Ecru denim jacket is the perfect piece for a spring or summer topper. Add this over a fitted tank and your favorite wide leg trousers. Wear this to the office, or even a fun daytime event like a bridal or baby shower in the spring.
How To Style A Cropped Blazer or Cropped Leather Jacket
I feel like a cropped blazer and cropped leather jacket are interchangeable with a lot of outfits. It’s a slightly cool, edgy and polished addition to jeans and a top, or to top a dress with. My same rules apply here by pairing it with a slightly wider leg to balance out the cropped silhouette.
A moto jacket is always a closet staple in my book. These are some of the best women’s leather moto jackets that I love and swear by. The cropped look of a moto jacket is pretty common and you likely have one in your closet already. Opt for one that isn’t too tight, but still cropped a bit.
Cropped Suede Collared Jacket For A Casual Outfit
Balance out the shorter proportion of the cropped suede jacket with wide leg trouser jeans. A slim sneaker or pointed toe heel for a more dressy look, are the perfect shoe choices to try here. This cropped jacket is the perfect lady jacket. If you’re more of a preppy person, you may want to try the tweed or boucle style lady jackets cut similarly to this one.
Date Night Outfit With A Cropped Jacket
Depending on the material of the cropped jacket, you can definitely dress these up a bit. Paired my collared, coated cropped jacket with black wide leg jeans and silver accessories. The perfect outfit for a date night or drinks with friends. Going with a fitted tee under the jacket and adding a pointed toe heel to elongate the leg even more.
How To Style A Cropped Utility Jacket and Cropped Trench Coats
The cropped utility jacket, and even cropped barn jacket or cropped trench coat, is the perfect casual topper for spring and fall. I love this cargo-inspired utility jacket that became a closet favorite in the spring. It was the perfect light layer and I paired with high waisted slim wide leg jeans and a fitted tank.
Wear a cropped utility jacket or barn jacket also works over a more flowy dress, or a fitted one. So long as the jacket is a bit loose or boxy, you can pair it with flowy or fitted dresses with ease.
Cropped Trench Coat For Fall And Winter
Style your cropped trench coat for fall and winter with ease. Pair it with your favorite straight leg jeans, striped tee and a flat. A loafer, Mary Jane or ballet flat work nicely here. For a dressier outfit, try a satin midi skirt with a knee high boot. The cropped jacket works perfectly with a high waisted midi slip skirt.
If you haven’t tried the cropped jacket trend, now’s the time to do it. With so many options to choose from whether your style is more edgy and cool, or classic and feminine, a cropped jacket is guaranteed to get you more use out of your current closet.
