The Best Summer Sweaters Help Me Tackle Early Fall Outfits

Last Thursday, I had a fashion meet-cute. I was five minutes late for a meeting and speed-walking SoHo's sidewalks on a 93-degree day in New York City. My strappy sandals rubbed against my ankles with every step, and 50 percent of my makeup had already sweat off. But I had places to be and people to see, so I kept going. Then, a lightweight summer sweater in Prada's store window caught my eye; it was collared and woven from silk-cashmere in a sweet powder blue—a versatile knit to wear with both boxer shorts as the dog days dwindle and with trousers and a trench coat come fall.

I've been contemplating what garments I'll take with me as summer fades into fall, as have all of Marie Claire's fashion team (editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike recently shared the transitional finds she's shopping in a recent Self Checkout newsletter). So, as I ogled at Prada's polo for a minute more—despite being far beyond fashionably late for my meeting—I thought of the best summer sweaters currently in my closet and those I've been eyeing on e-tailers (in particular, a white crochet cardigan from the Jennifer Lopez and Kaia Gerber-approved Dôen). Those easy knits all possess a well-rounded wearability that lends themselves to late summer and early fall stylings—just like Prada's stop-and-stare collared sweater.

Incentivized by my fashion run-in, I curated a capsule of lightweight summer sweaters to smooth out the seasonal transition from summer to early fall. From classic V-neck pullovers and open-knit cardigans to preppy-coded sweater vests and sportier polo-style sweaters, peruse the best women's sweaters to take into fall 2024. And as you go about the last few weeks of August, keep your eyes peeled—you never know when a garment out in the real world will hit you with style inspiration.

An Easy Pullover Sweater

Scouring the varying silhouettes of the season's best pullover sweaters, from a casual crewneck to a Breton-striped boatneck to a quirky intarsia style, was a joy. At the top of my personal to-shop list are Loulou Studio's cashmere sweater in bright berry and Ganni's cherry-motif pullover (clearly, summer's fresh produce is trickling into my shopping preferences, too.)

Contributing fashion editor and sustainability consultant Mary Fellowes concurs with my inkling toward inner-woven patterned pieces. "For transitional weather before high summer, the styles that caught my eye this season are all intarsia, which looks like motifs or other graphics in a patchwork version at first glance," she says.

A Light Cardigan

Next up on the list of the best summer knitwear options? Cardigans. The 2024 season offers a gamut of options, from sleek front zips to cropped with crystal embellishments. But my money is on knit lady jackets—like Reformation and Abercrombie & Fitch's—emerging as a seasonal standout since ladylike designs are a paramount fall 2024 trend.

Similarly, fashion stylist Jay Hines predicts the quiet luxury look will prevail throughout autumn. "A nice, neutral cardigan with a small logo does it for me—no bold patterns or over-the-top details to distract the eye from the quality of the sweater," he says.

A Breezy Open-Knit Sweater

For Fellowes, "the best sweaters for high summer and hotter weather into autumn are crochet and open-knit." And I have to agree: the crafty textiles add a level of design intrigue that satisfies my inner statement dresser, while the airy holes keep me cool. At the top of Fellowes's personal shopping list are open-knit boho styles by Chloé. "They’re obviously hugely pricey, but if looked after well, they will do great on the resale or rental side," she notes.

A Short-Sleeve Sweater

Perhaps it's obvious, but it's worth emphasizing anyway: sweaters with less fabric will inherently keep you cooler—a short-sleeve silhouette, for instance, offers the best of both worlds in that your arms have access to air, and your torso remains cozy. I just added Alex Mill's black polo sweater to my virtual cart and intend to pair it with a pleated skirt and loafers as a summer work outfit. And when September hits, I'll swap my skirt for a pair of front-pleat khaki trousers and slip on my best shacket.

A Sleeveless Sweater Vest

As a certified fan of the tailored knit vest trend, I will absolutely be wearing sleeveless sweaters in the coming weeks. Knit button-front styles have clinched a sweet spot in my heart—currently, Lover and Friends and Free People's are calling my name. Styling-wise, Hines encourages wearing them in a makeshift, more laidback suit. “Personally," he says, "I love styling lightweight sweater vests in a shorts outfit, likely with tailored Bermuda shorts in cotton twill."