The 6 Lightweight Summer Sweater Trends You Need in Your Closet
3 min readNot every sweater is a summer sweater. That’s probably the biggest misconception when it comes to knits in warm weather. You can’t just pluck that one wool or mohair knit that steadfastly serves you throughout the winter, and pack it for your beach vacation or loop it over your shoulders on a night out.
What keeps you warm and cozy in the fall will only suffocate you until you’re a sweaty mess in the summer. But buy the right pieces in the best materials and styles, and sweater weather can be a year-long affair. Ahead, six sweater trends for summer.
Oversized Knits
When in doubt, opt for the oversized knit. If the J.Crew’s relaunch of their iconic Rollneck sweater and the continued pervasiveness of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bear pullover have demonstrated anything, it’s that roomy knits are eternal. Often made with cotton, the weave is loose enough to breathe with a summer breeze and tight enough to retain warmth (especially with some clever layering). This works especially well for those airy nights in Nantucket, but it also means you can wear these sweaters pretty much any time of year. It’s that versatility that’s made this style so timeless, cementing it as a tried-and-true staple you won’t regret adding to your closet.
Open Weave
Consider the open-weave sweater the younger cousin to the oversized knit. The overall silhouettes are similar, but the construction is looser—more netted in a way that can almost mirror crochet, albeit oftentimes more compact. This means it’s less seasonally versatile, but nevertheless a worthwhile tool for layering with strappy tops or even bikinis post beach-day.
Ribbed T-Shirts and Polos
A knit shirt is like a more sophisticated version of a T-shirt—the type of thing you wear with billowing slacks and a glossy loafer or strappy sandal. Recent years have seen this style rise in popularity as a reliable summer staple, favored for its airiness particularly when it comes office dressing. They can be button-up cardigans you wear as a shirt or throw over a dress, or even short-sleeves that drape just so. Current iterations mirror the silhouette of a well-fitted polo, adding a collar for an extra flair of elegance.
Knit Tanks
These are the cool girl tops of summer. The knit material adds a bit of texture to an outfit, while lending a slouchy silhouette that oozes cool nonchalance. Style in the summer with low-slung denim or linen trousers. Layer with chic outerwear once temperatures drop, and this piece can carry you well into fall.
Chunky Cardigans
If open-weave is the cousin to the oversized knit, then the chunky cardigan is it’s long-lost sister. They both nestle into the niche of summer-friendly sweaters, but the chunky cardigan offers a smidge more versatility when it comes to layering. This is the quintessential “I’ll just throw this on” piece, making it best for beach walks in the ocean breeze.
Draped Ponchos
If your mom kept pretty much everything you bought from Limited Too in fifth grade, and it’s currently overwhelming a large corner of your childhood bedroom’s closet, then we have good news for you: Ponchos are back. The 2026 take on this nostalgia-infused style slips over dresses, tanks, and skirts.
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