Best 9 Lightweight Cardigans You Can Wear Year-Round

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.Buck MasonFirst, we’ll pass the microphone to Luke Guillory, Esquire’s commerce editor, who has too much to say on the matter.“The trouble with this category is that when a cardigan gets too thin and flimsy, it starts to lose all sartorial value. The knit gets so thin, fibers so fine that you’re effectively left with a T-shirt that you wear over top of other stuff, a mystery mid-layer.“The way to counteract that is to go a bit more high-end. For that, I love Suitsupply. For under $200, it sells these wonderful silk-wool-cashmere blend cardigans. The hand wools give it a touch of sweater-ness, and the silk gives it a gorgeous hand feel and slight sheen. Then, generous elasticized collars, cuffs, and hems give it the heft to hold up.“Suitsupply styles it without a shirt underneath; do not follow that model unless you are on a two-week or longer beach vacation. Keep it simple, worn over button-ups at work, between shirts and jackets in the cool months, or over a tee on the weekend.”Sizes: XS-XXLMaterial: 70 percent silk, 20 percent wool, 10 percent cashmereZip sweater or cardigan? Who cares. AYR’s offering is worth considering. It looks to have the heft of an old-school aprés sweater, but it’s actually made with a cotton-polyamide-elastane blend—all of which makes it a more sporty and lightweight take.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowJ. Crew is basically the blue print for “affordable prep.” They’ve got a ton of cardigan offerings—like an overwhelming amount. For a lightweight option you can wear across all seasons, we’d recommend the Heritage v-neck. Made of a nice cotton, it’s got a sturdy construction that skews better for fall—but is still lightweight enough to tie over your shoulders.Sizes: XS-XXLMaterial: 100 percent cottonWe’ve waxed poetic about the merits and moisture-wicking properties of merino when it comes to t-shirt before, and the same certainly applies when it comes to selecting lightweight cardigans. Not to mention it’s an unbeatable price.Sizes: S-XLMaterial: 100 percent extra-fine Merino woolAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you’re on the hunt for a workhorse, every day cardigan to throw—on no matter the occasion—Old Navy’s SoSoft is the go-to. It’s got a relaxed fit that drapes to about the hip, offering the perfect framing for your favorite band t-shirt or button-up. It’s also available in a range of different sizes, so you’re sure to find just the right fit.Sizes: XS-4XL (tall and regular fits)Material: 53 percent cotton, 24 percent recycled polyester, 30 percent nylon, 3 percent spandexThis cardigan is luxury personified. Made of 100 percent airy linen, it’s the type of thing you wear while strolling through a French chateau (or at least imagining you’re strolling through a French chateau). Pairs well with a sleek pair of leather loafers.Sizes: XS-2XLMaterial: 100 percent linenAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowThe name of the cardigan speaks for itself. It’s a little more form fitting than some of the other, chunkier options on this list—but that’s also what makes it perfect for those breezy al fresco dinners at the beachside resort.Sizes: XS-XXLMaterial: 88 percent organic cotton, 8 percent polyamide, 4 percent PBTSome men want to be the lord of the manor. You just want to live out your “Man of the Lighthouse” fantasies. This cotton ribbed cardigan from Buck Mason will help you do it. Crafted in the vision of vintage fishermen’s sweaters, the chunkier fit makes it great for layering over just about everything—t-shirts and some board shorts in the summer, a crisp button up in the fall and winter.Sizes: XS-XXLMaterial: 100 percent cottonAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you’re in the market for a lightweight cardigan that skews more into the “summer sweater” realm, we’d recommend this linen number from Theory. Made in Italy using European-sourced flax, it’s got dropped shoulders and a slightly higher v-neck for a polished, yet relaxed look.Sizes: XS-XXLMaterial: 65 percent linen, 23 percent cotton, 12 percent polyester