Spark

There’s nothing we appreciate more than smart layering, and the cropped sweater is one of our favourite pieces to play with. (And don’t worry – you won’t have to hit the gym every day to pull it off!) The cropped length may seem a little scary, but with the right styling, it will add depth to your look and can actually make you appear taller. “The shorter length allows you to experiment with layering and showcase what's underneath,” says Spark stylist, Casey Downes. “It’s also a great way to add a cozy layer without adding bulk.”

Without further adieu, here are two fresh ways to pull off the cropped sweater:

9 - 5: With fall’s changing temperatures, now is the perfect time to reintroduce shapes and texture into your wardrobe. A high-waisted leather skirt and collared sweater are an ideal pairing that will accentuate your waist and create a classic silhouette.“Just make sure the waist of the skirt and the hem of the sweater only slightly overlap,” says Downes. “If the sweater is too large, or the length is too long, the look could turn from chic to sloppy.” To keep the look modern, embrace an unexpected combination of fall colours like mustard and burgundy. Finish off the look with funky gold bracelets and a bright, standout purse. And, there you have it – a flawless work #ootd!

After hours: Take layering in a more casual direction by choosing a knit sweater and wearing it over a simple t-shirt. “When mixing textures, just make sure to keep the colour palette as simple as possible,” says Downes. Since we’re currently head-over-heels for the utilitarian trend, we topped the look with a stunning green trench with black leather detail. Incorporating trendy pieces like this (and the leather cap) can make a laidback outfit really sing. A pretty necklace and grey ankle boots elevate the look, while sandblasted denim injects a bit of tough-girl-chic into the mix. Just make sure to choose fitted jeans, to balance the bulk on top.

Have you tried the cropped sweater trend? How are you wearing yours? We’d love to see! Tag us @StVitalCentre on Instagram so we can take a peek at your layering skills.

Visit these St. Vital Centre retailers to shop the looks:

Look #1 (9-5)
Black cropped sweater (with built in collared shirt): Le Chateau, $39.99
Leather skirt: BCBGMAXAZRIA, $285
Nude strappy sandal: Le Chateau, $110
Gold bracelets: Le Chateau, $9.99
Purse: (Kensie) Hudson's Bay, $89

Look #2 (After hours)
Grey cropped sweater: American Eagle, $39.95
Boyfriend jeans: Garage, $56.95
Green/black trench: Danier, $299
Grey heeled booties: Browns Shoes, $198
Necklace: Le Chateau, $22
Backpack: Chapters, $59
Baseball cap: Danier, $49