Come winter, sweaters become my best friend. I try to add variety with colors and styles, but most days you can find me wear a sweater of some sort. I wear sweaters in many styles, but my favorites have a little more room for comfort. Today I’m rounding up some of my favorite places to buy petite-friendly sweaters.
Petite Friendly Sweaters
For size comparison, I’m 4’10” and around 105lbs.
J.Crew & J.Crew Factory
I’m listing J. Crew first because I tend to buy most of my sweaters from there. Their sweaters fit me well even when they aren’t petite (I appreciate that they go down to an XXS in most styles). Aside from the fit, their sweaters are well made so they tend to last in my closet and I have an appreciation for their classic styles and colors. For size reference at J.Crew, it’s really all over the place so you’ll have to check each link. Sometimes I size up for more room and sometimes I stick with an XXS.
J.Crew Factory also has a lot of great colors and sizing options and a better price point typically. Their sizing tens to run large in general and I am typically an XXS or Petite XXS in their sweaters.
Fair Isle Cropped Sweater
This one caught my attention because of the winter fair isle print in non-traditional colors. It’s neutral and subdued, but still more than just another camel or white sweater. The sleeves are a great length and the sweater overall is cropped. On me, that cropped length tucks in nicely with high-waisted jeans or hits at the hip untucked. I sized up in this one to XS. I styled it with white cords here, but it also looks beautiful with jeans and trousers for work.
Sweater XS | Pants Petite 25 | Boots (size up 1/2 size)
Sweater XS | Pants Petite 25 | Pumps (size down 1/2 size) | Coat Petite XXS
Cable Knit Sweater
This sweater has a subtle puff shoulder and is a pretty cable knit. It has gone on a final sale since I bought it, unfortunately, but you may be able to find it in-store and try it on if you feel uncomfortable not being able to return it. I sized up two sizes in this one to a size small and I like the fit of it. This one is medium on the softness level and the sleeves need a little roll.
The jeans are another talking point of this outfit – I absolutely love the fit! J.Crew jeans tend to run small on me, but this style comes in a curvy fit which is a better fit for me. I’m wearing my typical size (which is a size down in my usual J.Crew size) 24P. After several Instagram messages after I first posted them, yes they look different on the model than they do on me, but I assure you they’re the same jeans I ordered. I’m also wearing the charcoal color, they are dark black/gray in person. The jeans are rigid, with a high 10″ rise (hits me a little above my belly button). They do stretch a little with wear. This weekend they’re on sale for around $36 which is amazing for J.Crew jeans!
Sweater Small | Jeans 24 Petite | Boots (size up 1/2 size)
Relaxed Rollneck Sweater
If you want a sweater that isn’t itchy and won’t pill over time – this one is it! I’m wearing it in XXS and love it tucked and untucked. The sleeves fit well and don’t need any rolling.
Sweater XXS | Jeans 0 X-Short | Boots (size up 1/2 size)
Sweater XXS | Jeans 0 X-Short | Shoes TTS
Supersoft Sweater
A lot of wool sweaters are a little bit itchy (not itchy enough to stop me from wearing them) but if you’re someone who is sensitive to that, you may love this supersoft one. I sized up to XS in this because I prefer room in my sweaters but I really should have ordered my true size in it. It’s soft and comes in several colors! Untucked this sweater hits me at mid-hip. My supersoft sweaters have had some pilling in the past, but you can fix that with a fabric shaver.
Sweater XXS (wearing XS) | Boots (size up 1/2 size) | Jeans 25 Extra Short
Teddie Sweater
The Teddie sweater from J.Crew Factory is one I’ve had in many colors over the years. It’s lightweight and classic and can be layered and worn on its own. It comes in several colorways and the softness level is different for each one. The solid camel one I’m wearing here is a touch on the itchy side (not enough to be uncomfortable to me) but the printed one I’m wearing a little further down in this post isn’t itchy at all. I like to size up in them to an XS because I don’t like to wear tight sweaters, but if you prefer a closer fit I would recommend your true size. The sleeves fit well and don’t need to be rolled.
Sweater XS
Sweater XS | Pants Petite 25 | Boots (size up 1/2 size) | Shacket XS
Wrap Cardigan
I love J.Crew Factory’s Sweater Blazer and recently picked up this wrap cardigan that I’ve been loving as well. I like the longer length and the tie detail. I’m wearing it in XXS, and it fits well overall, but the sleeves are pretty long. I had to do a double cuff on them. I have issues with sleeve length at J.Crew Factory even in some of their Petites, but I don’t mind cuffing them. Also, online this color looks much darker than it is in person.
Cardigan XXS | Turtleneck Sweater XXS | Boots (size up 1/2 size) | Leggings Petite XXS
Merino Turtleneck
Another great layering sweater from J. Crew Factory is the merino turtleneck. This one is well made and will last for years in your closet – but is also really affordable. I wear it in XXS and the fit is perfect in every way, sleeves included. I love to layer with it, I’m wearing it with the wrap sweater above, but also love to wear it on its own. This one is soft and not itchy at all.
Sweater XXS | Skirt XS | Boots
J.Crew Sweater Blazer
I’ve been recommending the sweater blazer for years. It’s well made and classic. I’m wearing it in Petite XXS and the sleeves are slim but still a little long on me. It layers well over thin sweaters and tops in this size, but if you want to layer it over anything thicker you may want to size up. I’m also wearing a Teddie Sweater from J.Crew Factory in this outfit which is another one of my favorites. The print I’m wearing is sold out, but it is still available in other options.
Blazer Petite XXS | Sweater XS | Pumps (size down 1/2 size) | Jeans Petite 25
Cashmere Crewneck
Cashmere is a splurge, but if you love a buttery soft sweater you may feel it’s worth it. Cashmere isn’t typically included in J.Crew sales, but every now and then you might get lucky and snag it at a discount. I sized up again to XS in this sweater, but I could have taken my true size XXS. The sleeves fit great and there was no rolling needed.
J.Crew has really beautiful colors in their cashmere sweaters as well.
Sweater XS | Jeans 25 Extra Short | Similar Shoes
Madewell
I love Madewell sweaters because they tend to be unique. They’re also well made and will last in your closet. Their sweaters often run big and are typically predominately wool (which makes them a little bit itchy). I am almost always an XXS in their sweaters.
Delwood Fair Isle Sweater
The colors in this sweater are my favorite! It’s thick and very warm (slightly itchy) but fits me well in my typical size XXS. The sleeves come down on my hand a little bit, but not enough to feel like I need to roll them up.
Sweater XXS | Boots (size up 1/2 size) | Jeans Petite 24
Sweater XXS | Jeans 0 X-Short | Boots (size up 1/2 size)
Dillon Mockneck Pullover
I looked at this sweater online several times before actually deciding to buy it. I wish I would have bought it sooner! I love the color and this one is soft. I’m wearing it in XXS and it fits me well overall – sleeves included.
Sweater XXS | Boots (size up 1/2 size) | Jeans 0 X-Short
Ann Taylor and LOFT
Ann Taylor and LOFT are top of the list when it comes to petite-friendly for me. I can almost always count on their sizing to be consistent. Their sweaters don’t always stay in stock so it’s harder for me to round up some of my all-time favorites. However, in general, their sweaters fit me well in Petite XXS and sometimes regular XXS. Here are a few of my recent finds.
Ribbed Mock Neck Sweater
I’m wearing this sweater in regular XXS, so there is a little extra length in the arms. Other than that – it’s a beautiful and well-made sweater! It also comes in two other rich winter colors. This one is soft and warm.
Also, if you’re looking for a pair of pants for work, these Easy Ankle Pants from Ann Taylor are a great petite fit. This white pair in particular is fully lined so they aren’t see-through at all. They have a stretchy waistband, so they’re also really comfortable. The back waistband is elastic, so you may not like the way they looks with a fully tucked-in top, but I think they’re great with a sweater like I’m wearing here and under blazers and cardigans.
Sweater XXS | Pants Petite XXS | Pants Other Color Options | Pumps (size down 1/2 size)
Poncho Sweater
I love LOFT’s oversized tunic and poncho sweaters. You can wear them with leggings and jeans and they’re just so comfortable! As far as the poncho sweater goes, it runs true to size and I wear it in Petite XXS. It’s soft and the sleeves are cropped, so there is no issue with the length there.
Sweater Petite XXS | Shoes TTS | Jeans Petite 24
Abercrombie
Abercrombie is my go-to for cozy leggings friendly sweaters! I’m almost always an XXS in their sweaters. Here are a few of my recent favorites. I’ll summarize these for you because they all have the same fit notes. The sleeves fit me well and they’re all soft! If you prefer a form fit, you may also like Abercrombie’s sweater bodysuits.
Sweater (similar style) XXS | Boots | Leggings XS Short
Sweater XXS | Leggings XS Short | Shoes TTS | Henley Top XS
Sweater XXS | Leggings XS Short | Coat Petite 0 | Boots TTS
Other Options
If you read my blog often, you know that I shop all around for petite-friendly finds. I often find great options at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Old Navy, and other great places. However, for purposes of this post and keeping it focused I wanted to stick to the tried-and-true brands that I know you’ll be able to find something to love that will last and fit the best! You can shop a few more options I’ve tried below.
I hope this post helps you pick a sweater that your wardrobe is missing!
-Brooke
