I'm 5'2, here's the 17 Best Sweaters for Petites I Love
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As we get closer to the cooler months, it's the perfect time to refresh your sweater collection, especially if you're on the petite side. Finding that perfect sweater that doesn’t drown you in fabric but still keeps you cozy can be hard for us small girlies. That’s why I’ve handpicked a selection of the best sweaters for petites. Whether you're after something snug that flatters your frame or a statement piece that stands out without overwhelming, I've got you covered. Starting at just $18, these options are not only cute but also affordable.
Short answer
Best cashmere pick: Everlane 100% Cashmere Boxy Crew Sweater ($99). A 5'2 buyer loves it, and reviews say it doesn't shrink in the laundry.
Best budget pick: Gap Factory Crewneck Cardigan ($18). It's good for in-between weather, when it's cold in the morning and warms up later.
Best petite fit: American Eagle Ballet Neck Open Knit Sweater ($59). I have it in blue, and the fit is very flattering on my petite frame.
Sweaters for petites at a glance
| Sweater | Price | Fabric | Petite fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. J.Crew Brushed Cashmere Cropped V-Neck Sweater | $168 | Brushed cashmere | Cropped; a 5'1 buyer calls it deliciously soft |
| 2. Everlane 100% Cashmere Boxy Crew Sweater | $99 | 100% cashmere (50% recycled, 50% virgin) | Boxy fit; a 5'2 buyer loves it |
| 3. Abercrombie Slim Crew Sweater | $60 | - | - |
| 4. American Eagle Ballet Neck Open Knit Sweater | $59 | Open knit | I have it: petite friendly |
| 5. Abercrombie LuxeLoft Crew Sweater Jacket | $78 | Thick (per a 5'2 buyer) | Some buyers say the sleeves run long |
| 6. Banana Republic Lightweight Soft Cashmere Sweater | $150 | Cashmere with a slight stretch | - |
| 7. Anthropologie Jensen Cashmere Cropped Polo Sweater | $160 | 100% cashmere | Cropped, petite length friendly |
| 8. Lily Silk Cashmere Grey Pullover Sweater | $199 | Grade A Mongolian cashmere | - |
| 9. Amazon Women's 100% Pure Cashmere V Neck Sweater | $139 | 100% cashmere | A 5'1 buyer says it's a good fit |
| 10. John Galt Yellow Nikki V-Neck Sweater | $35 | - | - |
| 11. Banana Republic Oversized Sweater | $179 | Cashmere (Good Cashmere Standard), hand washable | - |
| 12. Gap Factory Crewneck Cardigan | $18 | - | - |
| 13. John Galt Navy Flag Crew Neck Sweater | $38 | - | I have it: oversized but doesn't swallow me |
| 14. Revolve Cropped Sweater | $286 | 100% cashmere | Cropped; petite friendly per reviews |
| 15. John Galt Black Wide Neck Off Shoulder Sweater | $28 | - | - |
| 16. Lululemon Alpaca Wool-Blend Crosshatch Sweater | $89 | Alpaca wool blend | - |
| 17. Ann Taylor Petite Washable Knit Sweater | $68 | Washable knit | Petite |
Fabric and fit notes come from each pick below. A dash means the pick doesn't say.
17 Best Sweaters For Petites
1. J.Crew Brushed Cashmere Cropped V-Neck Sweater: best for a cropped V-neck
Loving the J.Crew Fall and Winter collection. This v-neck brushed cashmere sweater comes in so many different colors and sizes. I love the way they styled this one
One petite buyer who is 5'1 left a review and said, "This sweater is deliciously soft. Love it.
J. Crew
2. Everlane 100% Cashmere Boxy Crew Sweater: best for a boxy cashmere crew
Love the boxy fit of this sweater from Everlane that comes in a ton of different shades too. Based on the reviews, it does not shrink in the laundry. It's made from 50% recycled cashmere, 50% virgin cashmere, 100% quiet luxury 😉
A buyer who was 5'2 left a review and said, "I bought this sweater last year and I absolutely love it! It was pricey, but that’s expected with 100% cashmere. I just purchased it in another color now that it’s on sale."
Everlane
Related: Check out these petite wedding guest dresses that don't need tailoring!
3. Abercrombie Slim Crew Sweater: best for a versatile basic
A super versatile and timeless fall/winter sweater! Pair it with denim jeans tucked in or a black mini skirt tucked out!
Abercrombie
Related: pair your sweater with a pair of these mini ugg dupes.
4. American Eagle Ballet Neck Open Knit Sweater: best for a petite fit under $60
I just got this in blue (see above) and can attest that it's petite friendly. Comes in so many different colors and the fit is very flattering on my petite body. The material of this sweater also feels like it could retail for over $150.
American Eagle
5. Abercrombie LuxeLoft Crew Sweater Jacket: best for a cardigan
This petite cardigan comes in so many different colors. Some customers did complain that the sleeves were a bit longer than expected.
One verified customer who is 5'2 in height said, "Material is thick and feels high quality. Color is as pictured. Highly recommend!"
Abercrombie
6. Banana Republic Lightweight Soft Cashmere Sweater: best for layering
Love this pop of color! This cutie is from Banana Republic and has a slight stretch to it. It hugs just in the right places, and is also great for layering. A good Fall staple to have in your closet. Not obsessed with the color? They offer more neutral options as well.
Banana Republic
Related: Check out these petite flare jeans.
7. Anthropologie Jensen Cashmere Cropped Polo Sweater by Pilcro: best for a cropped cashmere polo
This is cropped, so it is petite length friendly. It's made from 100% cashmere, so it has a lux feel to it. Pair it with white baggy jeans, mary jane flats, and a cute headband.
Anthropologie
Related: Check out these petite 100% cashmere sweaters!
8. Lily Silk Cashmere Grey Pullover Sweater: best for Mongolian cashmere
Made from Grade A Mongolian Cashmere and . each strand of Cashmere is brushed using the most advanced Japanese brushing technique for longevity and baby softness. Also anti-allergenic!
Lily Silk
9. Amazon Women's 100% Pure Cashmere V Neck Sweater: best for a quick Amazon order
If you need something quick, this is a great option from Amazon and fairly affordable.
One petite women said, "Sweater is very comfortable and a good fit. I’m 5’1” and 135 for reference.
Amazon
Related: Check out these petite wide leg jeans
10. John Galt Yellow Nikki V-Neck Sweater: best for a pop of color under $40
Pacsun is the only retailer that carries Brandy Melville who has great sweaters for petites. This particular one is their classic but they have so many more, including petite cardigans which I love to wear. This did not have the best reviews, but it didn't seem to be about the actual sweater itself. One person said they never received their replacement, and the other said there was a snag in it upon recieving.
Pacsun
Looking for more petite sweaters? Check out these petite sweater dresses!
11. Banana Republic Oversized Sweater: best for hand-washable cashmere
This cashmere sweater from BR is popular for good reason:
This specific cashmere is sourced following the Good Cashmere Standard™, aimed at improving the welfare of cashmere goats, protecting natural resources, and supporting local farmers.
It's also can be hand washed. which is not typical for your standard cashmere sweater!
Banana Republic
12. Gap Factory Crewneck Cardigan: best for under $20
This cardigan sweater is good for that in-between weather where it's cold in the morning but warms up throughout the day. Pair it with a cute trench coat and jeans for a day to work.
Gap Factory
Related: Make sure check out these petite sweatpants that you won't need to hem
13. John Galt Navy Flag Crew Neck Sweater: best for an oversized fit
I have this sweater from John Galt and it is in fact petite-friendly. It is more of an oversized fit, however it does not swallow me Also for $38 it's a steal for the quality you are getting. I see some brands sell something very similar to this but for double the price.
One verified buyer said, "This sweater is so cute and comfy. It's good quality and the color matches the picture. It fits perfectly with low rise jeans hitting at just the right spot."
Pacsun
14. Revolve Cropped Sweater: best for a cropped cashmere splurge
I love the color of this sweater from Revolve. She's also made from 100% cashmere and petite-friendly according to verified customer reviews.
15. John Galt Black Wide Neck Off Shoulder Sweater: best for a night out
A timeless and classic sweater that can be dressed up or down. Pair with black denim jeans, a statement belt and booties for a night out to dinner. Also, for $28 how can you say no to something so versatile.
Pacsun
16. Lululemon Alpaca Wool-Blend Crosshatch Sweater: best for chilly workout mornings
Made from alpaca wool, it’s perfect for chilly weather or those early morning workout classes, just throw it over your workout set on the way out the door.
Lululemon
17. Ann Taylor Petite Washable Knit Sweater: best for spring
The butter yellow shade of this sweater is perfect for spring and summer.
Pair it with black flare jeans and your favorite loafers or mules.
Ann Taylor
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Petite sweaters for older ladies and how to style them
The beauty of sweaters is that people of all ages can wear them and look equally as cute. If there's one thing that I always take from my moms closet it's sweaters and bags. I don't have personal experience on how to style sweaters for the older generation, but I definitely take notes from my mom. If she's going out during the daytime to run errands or go out to lunch, she'll pair it with blue denim flare jeans and white sneakers. She tops it off with a crossbody bag or her favorite Chanel shoulder bag. If she's going out to a cozy dinner, she normally pairs it with black bootcut pants, platform Stella McCartney shoes, or boots with a cute designer clutch.
How to style your sweater as a petite women
During the Fall and Winter, sweaters are my go-to. I typically opt for a slightly oversized sweater paired with leggings and Ugg Tasman slippers for my morning coffee runs. When I want a more polished look, I swap the slippers for sneakers. At night, I like to style my petite sweaters with my favorite denim jeans (usually high-rise straight-leg) and booties. I complete the look with my black Chanel vanity bag and a belt.
Styling rules for your petite sweaters
FAQs
What sweaters look good on petite older women?
Sweaters work at any age, and I take a lot of styling notes from my mom. For errands or lunch she pairs hers with blue denim flare jeans and white sneakers. For a cozy dinner she goes with black bootcut pants and platform shoes or boots.
What's a good cropped sweater for petites?
Cropped styles are petite length friendly. The Anthropologie Jensen Cashmere Cropped Polo ($160) and the Revolve Cropped Sweater ($286) are both 100% cashmere, and the J.Crew Brushed Cashmere Cropped V-Neck ($168) comes in so many colors and sizes.
What are the best cardigans for petites?
The Abercrombie LuxeLoft Crew Sweater Jacket ($78) comes in lots of colors, and a 5'2 buyer says the material is thick and feels high quality. Some buyers say the sleeves run a bit long. For $18, the Gap Factory Crewneck Cardigan is good for in-between weather.
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Meet the author
Kaylin Malek Khorsandi
Hi, I’m Kaylin. I’ve spent years researching, testing, and comparing products to find the ones that actually live up to their promise. What started as my personal habit of hunting for the best quality at a fair price has grown into a trusted space where thousands of readers come to make smarter shopping decisions. Every recommendation is based on real use, detailed research, and honest feedback, so you can feel confident that what you’re buying is genuinely worth it. My goal is to help you save time, money, and stress by sharing products that last and truly add value to your life.