The Cardigan Is Your Summer Wardrobe Hero

The Cardigan Is Your Summer Wardrobe Hero

Photography via IMAXTREE

Wear it alone on a crisp evening or throw the summer cardi over your swimsuit or summer dress.

By Sarah Mariotti

Date June

25, 2021

Summer cardigans aren’t exactly a new concept. The lightweight, open-front knit has been completing outfits for decades, and has been donned by style heroes ranging from the late Princess Diana to Rihanna. And it makes sense. The summer cardi is nothing if not versatile, allowing you to withstand any scenario that the warmer months may present. Your day plans ran into the evening? Cardigan. The breeze by the water is a little much? Cardigan. Stepping into a building permeated with AC? A cardigan can definitely help with that. (Don’t forget that in the before-COVID times, a summer cardigan was a non-negotiable office staple from May to September.)

In the Spring 2021 shows, designers like Missoni and Celine turned the oft-humble cardigan into a fun time with optimistic colours, while Proenza Schouler kept things sleek and minimal. And when taking inspo from celebrities and the runway, look for unlikely pairings like striped knits coupled with floral dresses, or cropped cardis thrown over swimsuits. Bonus: the light, bright cardigan is the perfect piece to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall.

Thinking of adding some layers to your summer wardrobe? Take a look at the best summer-appropriate cardigans below.

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1/21

Wandering

Purple Cropped Cardigan

($720, Ssense)

2/21

Wilfred

Plunge Front Cardigan

($138, Aritzia)

3/21

Pleats Please Issey Miyake

Orange Bouquet Colors Cardigan

($535, Ssense)

4/21

Alp N Rock

Bella Cardigan

($228, Alp N Rock)

5/21

Missoni

Maxi Cardigan

($2,090, Missoni)

6/21

H&M

Ruffle-Trimmed Ribbed Cardigan

($19.99, H&M)

7/21

Celine

Cardigan in Silk Mohair

($1,750, Celine)

8/21

Ellie Mae

Hazel Cardigan

($280, Ellie Mae)

9/21

For Love & Lemons

Amaryllis Cropped Cardigan

($250, For Love & Lemons)

10/21

Versace

Trésor De La Mer Print Silk Cardigan

($2,250, Versace)

11/21

Lirika Matoshi

Mint Mohair Cardigan

(Approx. $359, Lirika Matoshi)

12/21

Dynamite

V-Neck Sweater Cardigan

($39.95, Dynamite)

13/21

Proenza Schouler

Rib Knit Collared Cardigan

($1,375, Proenza Schouler)

14/21

BP.

Checkerboard Plaid Crop Cardigan

($45, Nordstrom)

15/21

Mandkhai

Hand Embroidered Cardigan

($1,376.98, Mandkhai)

16/21

Twik

Pointelle Insert V-neck Cardigan

($50, Simons)

17/21

Dion Lee

White Hook Cardigan

($650, Ssense)

18/21

Rag & Bone

Anne Stripe Cardigan

($465, Nordstrom)

19/21

Uniqlo

Women UV Protection Supima Cotton Crew Neck Cardigan

($29.90, Uniqlo)

20/21

Hope Macaulay

Wonderland Chunky Knit Cardigan

($550.42, Hope Macaulay)

21/21

Zara

Long Knit Jacket

($59.90, Zara)

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