The Cardigan Is Your Summer Wardrobe Hero
Wear it alone on a crisp evening or throw the summer cardi over your swimsuit or summer dress.
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.
Wandering
Purple Cropped Cardigan
($720, Ssense)
Sarah Mariotti is a Toronto-based writer curious about fashion, spatial design, and ordinary human stories. When she’s not glued to her Kindle or writing about the next best earrings to hit the market, she’s putting on a pair of tortoise shades and ALD x New Balance sneaks and going for a nature walk — because a mentor and editor once told her that good ideas are always on the other side of a walk.
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