17 Summer Knits Under $150 That Are an Early Win for Fall

Shake off the mid-summer malaise with a multi-season knit.Courtesy of Carhartt WIP, Stussy, Beams, Banana Republic, Warehouse; Design: Brittany LogginsOne of the sad realities of the hottest season is that once the temps rise, sweaters become a distant memory from a cooler time. If you stand in front of your closet in peak summer you’re bombarded with button-ups, t-shirts and polos, which by mid-July means you’re ultimately bored with everything you see, you start longing for a time when you could wear a knit with reckless abandon. You think about how comfortable they are, how they go with everything and stave off sartorial ennui.You inevitably start wishing you had a summer sweater rotation as varied as your winter one. But then you discover an entire slate of incredible summer knits, all built to make you feel like you’re not wearing a sweater during the most sweltering months of the year. We really mean a whole slate, too. There are cardigans, crewnecks, v-necks, mesh tanks, and knits so loose you can see right through ‘em with. Give your other shirts a much-needed rest and grab a few wind-welcoming knits all of which are under $150.Knits Under $150 Hit ListThe Wimbledon SpecialJ.Crew Tipped Heritage Cotton V-Neck SweaterRead MoreThe Summer CardiganBanana Republic Linen-Cotton Ribbed CardiganRead MoreThe Ultra-Breathable Cotton CrewCarhartt WIP Stockton Open-Knit Recycled Cotton-Blend SweaterRead MoreThe Knit TeeMadewell Textured-Stitch Sweater TeeRead MoreThe (Summer) Holiday SweaterBeams Plus Short Sleeve KnitRead MoreCarhartt WIPStockton Open-Knit Recycled Cotton-Blend SweaterNormally you'd have to hire an HVAC specialist to get this much ventilation in your life.Banana RepublicLinen-Cotton Ribbed CardiganOnce you own a cardigan like this—which is lightweight, breathable and righteously rakish—you'll (correctly) believe that cardigans are as much of a summer garment as they are a winter one.Alex MillAaron Cable SweaterThe cable-knit pattern doesn't just look sick—although that is of utmost concern—it also allows for extra airflow every inch or so to catch that sweet, sweet summer breeze.Beams PlusShort Sleeve KnitLest you think that holiday sweaters get to have all the fun.StüssyLightweight Striped SweaterThe linen-cotton fabric makes this semi-sheer, ultra-lightweight sweater extra breathable, super soft, and (arguably) more suited for August than a t-shirt is.BeamsWide Fit 7-Gauge Rugby Knit Polo ShirtThe rugby is a malleable, equal-opportunity medium when it comes to fabric choice, but this one’s making a strong-ass case for the slouchy, 7-gauge knit kind being the best in class.J.CrewTipped Heritage Cotton V-Neck SweaterNot only will this level up a t-shirt and jeans combo in the [least effort] way, but if you're trying to get a little freaky—and you absolutely should—wear it like a t-shirt and leave the undershirt at home.Todd SnyderCotton-Cashmere V-NeckAll together now: the weirder the green, the better the green.MadewellTextured-Stitch Sweater TeeAn open-stitch knit tee is every bit as comfortable as a jersey-knit (re: normal) tee, but the cut, ribbed hem and pattern dress up like no regular tee can.Banana RepublicCotton-Linen Mesh Zip PoloI know I said polos weren't going to make an appearance here, but you're going to have to forgive me (we'll get back on track don't worry) because this one makes a wind-tunnel feel stuffy and also has a zipper, which does change things.WarehouseLot. 4105 Short Sleeve SweatshirtDubious qualifications couldn't keep this pitch-perfect mid-century repro off this list, especially because this will wear a lot like a knit tee and look great with jeans, chinos and gym shorts alike.Todd SnyderBeechwood Full-Zip SweaterWear this over a tee, tank or button-up and with jeans, chinos or shorts and experience zero degridation anywhere on that spectrum.Calling this a linen-cotton knit blazer won't do it justice, and referring to it as a cardigan would be somewhat reductive, so we'll just say it's a killer knit that's going to dress up, down and anywhere in between—and keep you cool(er) in the process.CorridorGarment Washed VestCOSBouclé-Knit Short-Sleeved CardiganThe cropped cut and full-button placket on this short-sleeved knit would normally be the A Plot on a knit like this, but this one's made with a super soft, extra-textured bouclé fabric that could never be relegated to B Plot status.Todd SnyderLuxe Mesh TankBefore you question this tank’s knitwear bonafides, know that it’s constructed just like a sweater, is more breathable than any nylon mesh you’ll encounter and has a ribbed hem, just to really drive home the “I’m not like the other tanks” point.Banana RepublicRibbed Cotton Crew-Neck SweaterThis shade of purple is as easy to wear as any earth tone in your comfort zone, but approximately twice as likely to elicit a compliment.Reed Nelson is a freelance writer for GQ Recommends covering menswear and gear. Before writing full time, he spent years working retail at Unionmade Goods, Gant Rugger, J.Crew, and Nike—experience that sharpened his eye for what’s actually worth buying. He’s also worked as an in-house copywriter for brands big and ... Read More