8 Lightweight Cardigans That Are Perfect for Summer

Halogen® Long Linen Blend Cardigan

A slightly longer sheer option is the Halogen® Long Linen Blend Cardigan. As you can see from the picture, it is quite long at around 35 inches, which for most women will fall mid-thigh.

The fabric is a fine-gauge knit spun from linen-blend yarns that are reportedly very soft and comfy to wear.  One cool feature is that it has pockets, pockets can be a bit tricky to pull off on a sheer fabric but, by most accounts, this Halogen style seems to do it well.

The fine-gauge knit is quite delicate, so you will have to be a little bit gentle with this style while you are wearing it and also when cleaning. It comes in a range of pretty colors that are perfect for spring and summer that can easily be worn with work pants and a blouse, or with jeans.

The only issue you should be aware of with this style is that the darker colors can transfer to lighter color clothes that you may be wearing.

Available from Nordstrom

Amazon Essentials Women’s Lightweight Vee Cardigan Sweater

The Amazon Essentials Women’s Lightweight Vee Cardigan Sweater is a great budget style that comes in 11 colors that can fit in with any wardrobe. The fabric is a blend of 55% Cotton, 25% Modal, 20% Polyester, so it is soft, lightweight, and has a little bit of stretch.

This is the perfect style for warmer weather, especially if you want a little extra coverage in the office.  It is a v-neck style with a button-up closer, so it is a pretty flattering fit.

A lot of women feel like this is the perfect lightweight summer sweater and is a great go-to for all kinds of situations.

Available from Amazon

Banana Republic Taren Lightweight Cashmere Cardigan

Banana Republic is a reliable place to get classic cardigans year after year. This season (spring 2023), they only have a few lightweight options.

A nice looking option is the Taren Lightweight Cashmere Cardigan,  which is a lovely cropped style that is perfect to wear with high-waisted pants for a stylish look.

It has a loose comfy fit and looks surprisingly good. The other great thing about this style is that it is cashmere so it will be soft and comfy.

Available from Banana Republic

NIC+ZOE 4-Way Lightweight Cardigan

The NIC+ZOE 4-Way Lightweight Cardigan is a fun design that you can wear in four different ways (open, crisscrossed, tied at the front – either midsection or at the hem). This super-versatile design is a mélange-knit cardigan that is 60% linen and 40% viscose.

The length is only about 27 ” at the front so that it won’t go past your hips for coverage. The sleeves are 3/4 length, which is an excellent length for warmer months. Women who own this sweater seem to love it.

The brand is known for its comfortable style and high quality of its clothes, and this particular design is a favorite due to the versatility of the different ways that you can wear it that all look attractive.

A lot of women mention that this style is a perfect option if you don’t like showing your arms in the summer, as it gives good coverage but it is lightweight enough to be comfortable in warmer settings.

Available from Nordstrom

Ann Cardigan from Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor is a fantastic store to get outstanding quality, nice clothes for the office, so it isn’t a surprise that they have one of the best lightweight sweaters going with the Ann Cardigan. It comes in a beautiful soft knit of 55% cotton, 25% modal, and 20% polyester.

The cotton makes it breathable, the modal makes it smooth, and the polyester makes it durable. It is another style that comes in very vibrant colors, with green (pictured above) being a particular favorite for a lot of women.

It is a button-up with ribbed cuffs and hem, and the length is only 23 ” long, so for most women, it will sit just above the hip. You can get the Ann in lots of beautiful colors that will work well with dress pants and skirts.

Overall it is a soft, stylish staple that is easy to wash and not too light or too heavy for the warmer months.

Available from Ann Taylor

J. Crew Ribbed Jackie Cardigan

One excellent option that J. Crew offers that is good for the spring or summer is the Ribbed Jackie Cardigan Sweater. This style is made from merino wool, so it is light enough for the spring or fall or a cool summer evening, and it is super soft to boot.

On most women, these J. Crew styles are quite a flattering fit, which is what makes them such a favorite and brings them back year after year.  You can wear this sweater with high-waisted skirts, pants, jeans, or sleeveless dresses or blouses.

Available from  J. Crew

Loft Lightweight Long Open Cardigan

The Loft is a great store to get cardigans, especially if you want a style for a work environment.

A nice summer cardigan option is the Lightweight Long Open Cardigan. It is lightweight with full sleeves and an open front. It is a little sheer which cools when you are out in the heat.

This style probably isn’t what you want if you are looking for a design for a heavily air-conditioned office, although they are dressy enough to be appropriate for work attire. It comes in a variety of pretty colors and is machine washable.

Another great thing about this sheer cardi is the length, and it is just long enough to make it quite versatile with most outfits.

Available from Loft

Talbots Linen Girlfriend Cardigan

A great spring wardrobe addition is the Talbots Linen Girlfriend Cardigan. You can buy the matching shell for a classic sweater-set look or get the cardi by itself.

Since it is full-sleeved, you get an excellent level of warmth for the office without being overpowering. It comes in some pretty vibrant colors that will freshen up your wardrobe nicely.

The fabric is a cotton blend of 60% cotton and 40% rayon, so it is breathable with some stretch.

Available from Talbots