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 List
Carhartt WIP Stockton Open-Knit Recycled Cotton-Blend Sweater
Carhartt WIP
Stockton Open-Knit Recycled Cotton-Blend Sweater
Normally you’d have to hire an HVAC specialist to get this much ventilation in your life.
Banana Republic
Linen-Cotton Ribbed Cardigan
Once 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 Mill
Aaron Cable Sweater
The 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 Plus
Short Sleeve Knit
Lest you think that holiday sweaters get to have all the fun.
Stüssy
Lightweight Striped Sweater
The 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.
Beams
Wide Fit 7-Gauge Rugby Knit Polo Shirt
The 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.Crew
Tipped Heritage Cotton V-Neck Sweater
Not 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 Snyder
Cotton-Cashmere V-Neck
All together now: the weirder the green, the better the green.
Madewell
Textured-Stitch Sweater Tee
An 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 Republic
Cotton-Linen Mesh Zip Polo
I 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.
Warehouse
Lot. 4105 Short Sleeve Sweatshirt
Dubious 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 Snyder
Beechwood Full-Zip Sweater
Wear 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.
Corridor
Garment Washed Vest
COS
Bouclé-Knit Short-Sleeved Cardigan
The 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 Snyder
Luxe Mesh Tank
Before 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 Republic
Ribbed Cotton Crew-Neck Sweater
This 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.