Sweater weather and summertime aren’t mutually exclusive. For starters, a breezy, open-weave knit makes an excellent beach cover-up. And a fisherman cotton crewneck or short-sleeved cashmere cardigan can help you combat an overactive office A/C.
To expand your outfit options, we’ve shortlisted the best summer sweaters for the current season (and beyond). From airy sweater tanks to linen pullovers, crochet polos, and cashmere tees, the chic styles below will fill gaps in your wardrobe you didn’t even know existed.
The Sweater Tee
A short-sleeved sweater offers all the styling possibilities of your favorite t-shirt and sweater combined. Casual basics like mid-wash jeans and linen beach pants look put together in a pinch when paired with a nautical cashmere number from Lisa Yang or a boatneck cotton knit from J.Crew.
J.Crew Montauk Sweater Tee
Lisa Yang Cila Cashmere T-Shirt
&Daughter Emer Cashmere T-Shirt
Kobi Halperin Beck Sweater
The Knit Polo
Knit polos are a standout knitwear trend for summer 2025, though one could argue that the preppy silhouette is perennially in style. Fresh options from Anine Bing, Vince, and Zimmermann will work just as well at the office as they will at brunch or a country club.
Anine Bing Alexis Sweater
Vince Cotton Elbow-Sleeve Polo Shirt
Zimmermann Illuminate Stripe Polo
J.Crew Featherweight Cashmere Sweater-Polo
Tory Burch Viscose Ribbed Polo Sweater
The Cotton Sweater
Summer nights are what cotton sweaters were made for. A fisherman sweater from Staud or Dôen will keep you at the perfect temperature during boat days, beachside bonfires, and backyard dinner parties that last well past sunset.
Everlane The Boxy Everyday Cotton Cardigan
Polo Ralph Lauren Flag Sweater
The Knit Tank
On warmer days, a knit tank can be styled solo with jean shorts, flowy maxi skirts, and linen pants. Then, when temperatures drop in the fall, they’re great to layer under denim jackets, blazers, chunky cardigans, and other outerwear staples. All to say, a Naadam cashmere tank will remain at the top of your dresser year-round.
Gap Rib Sweater Tank Top
Now 42% Off
Veronica Beard Carlin Knit Tank Top
Banana Republic Open Stitch Sweater Tank
Now 50% Off
Naadam Super Fine Cashmere Tank
Reformation Delia Ribbed Halter Top
The Linen Pullover
The coastal grandmother trend has waned, yet understated linen sweaters remain a summer essential. Lightweight and breathable, long-sleeve knits from Banana Republic and Reiss provide a stylish extra layer.
Madewell Linen V-Neck Sweater
Now 18% Off
Reiss Catrice Striped Sweater
Eileen Fisher Linen-Cotton Raglan Sweater
Now 35% Off
Banana Republic Oversized Linen Sweater
White + Warren Linen-Blend V-Neck
The Sweater Vest
Frame The Harbor Sleeveless Sweater
Me + Em Cotton Open-Stitch Sweater Vest
Alex Mill Bridget Tipped Vest
Ganni Cotton Crochet Vest
The Short-Sleeve Cardigan
This summer’s short-sleeve cardigans draw inspiration from preppy sweater sets of the 1950s without feeling overly retro. Cashmere and cotton styles from Frame, Veronica Beard, and Prada can be styled solo as tops, layered over sundresses, and left unbuttoned with a little white tank underneath.
Veronica Beard Solene Cashmere Sweater
Prada Cropped Cotton Cardigan
Naadam Cashmere Short Sleeve Cardigan
Frame The Cashmere Pointelle Cardi
Now 30% Off
Maje Contrast Trim Cropped Cardigan
The Featherweight Cardigan
Unseasonably cold summer days call for an ultra-lightweight, breathable cardigan. Easy to slip on and off, cotton and silk-blend styles from Leset, Tory Burch, and Vivienne Westwood make dressing for unpredictable weather more manageable.
Toteme Fine Knit Cardigan
Tory Burch Cotton And Nylon Mesh Cardigan
Vivienne Westwood Orb-Embroidered Cardigan
A.L.C. Fisher Rib Cardigan
Leset Classic Pointelle Cardigan
The Open-Weave Knit
Lean into the season’s boho aesthetic with an airy, open-weave knit that can double as a swimsuit cover-up. An artsy, hand-crocheted pullover from Lingua Franca or Anna Kosturova will be the first thing you toss in your suitcase for vacation.
Lingua Franca Cammy Boatneck
Mango Open Stitch Sweater
Brochu Walker The Keifer Cardigan
