Photo: Courtesy of Dôen
Whether facing a long-haul flight or a weekend retreat just a quick jaunt away, packing for any trip requires a little bit of strategy and plenty of planning. You have limited space and weather changes (not to mention, cabin air conditioning) to navigate; of course, you want to stay comfy through it all. We’re here to argue on behalf of one key player in your travel wardrobe: the cardigan. Occupying the sweet spot between a wrap scarf and a full pullover, the travel cardigan is practical and versatile, an easy layer to toss in your tote bag that you’ll be glad you remembered to bring.
The keyword here is ease. A cardigan is easy to throw over your shoulders or tie around your waist as you navigate miles of airport terminal. It’s easy to cozy up in once you’re in your seat and ready for takeoff. And once you’re at your destination? Easy to style with all the other pieces in your suitcase. It’s a no-brainer for fall and winter travel, but even if you’re headed to a tropical destination, a lighter-weight piece will come in handy on chilly nights.
From designer options from the likes of Khaite, Róhe, and The Row to more accessible options from Dôen, Alex Mill, and J.Crew, there are plenty of cozy options to pick from on the market at the moment. Choose from classic crew cardis or slouchy v-necks; belted wraps that drape beautifully; vibrant splashes of tomato red and cobalt blue or classic shades of camel and dove grey. Whichever route you take, you’ll soon discover that the travel cardigan is your airport style MVP; shop 26 of our favorite options, ahead.
Khaite
Scarlett cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Taupe, Black, Cream
J.Crew
Rollneck cardigan
Material: 100% Cotton
Colors: Black, Navy, Mediterranean Olive, Ivory, Faded Lilac, Navy/Ivory Stripe, Green/Navy Stripe
Guest in Residence
Cozy cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Red, Camel
Quince
duster cardigan
Material: 100% Grade-A Mongolian Cashmere
Colors: Oatmeal
Proenza Schouler
Rocio cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Yellow, Teal, Black
Alex Mill
Taylor stripe cardigan
Material: 95% Cotton, 5% Cashmere
Colors: Navy Ivory Stripe
Uniqlo
full-zip cardigan
Material: 100% Cotton
Colors: Brown, Green, Gray, Red, Black
Dôen
Darcy cardigan
Material: 82% Merino Wool, 18% Cashmere
Colors: Cream, Gray, Merlot
Lauren Manoogian
Coto cardigan
Material: 93% alpaca wool, 7% polyamide
Colors: Dark green
Allude
wool and cashmere-blend cardigan
Material: 70% wool, 30% cashmere
Colors: Black
Cos
merino wool sweater
Material: 100% Wool
Colors: Cobalt blue, Beige melange, Butter yellow
&Daughter
Ada cardigan
Material: 100% Wool
Colors: Gray
The Row
Ovaan cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Gray
Almada
Fez cardigan
Material: 70% merino wool, 30% cashmere
Colors: Black
Róhe
off-shoulder wrap cardigan
Material: 70% Wool, 30% Cashmere
Colors: Taupe, Black, Cream
Sézane
Emile cardigan
Material: 55% Alpaca, 30% Polyamide, 15% Wool
Colors: Dark Taupe, Bronze, Ecru, Light Beige, Perfect Green, Black, Rust Yellow, Mottled Camel, Mottled Pink, Navy, Red
Loulou de Saison
Aidar crewneck cardigan
Material: 90% Wool, 10% Cashmere
Colors: Charcoal Melange, Black, Ivory, Grizzly
Banana Republic
oversized sailor cardigan
Material: 55% Merino wool, 45% cotton
Colors: Stonewashed beige, Navy blue
Arch4
Elward cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Gray
H&M
cashmere cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Dark Taupe, Black
ME+EM
straight cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Pecan Brown
Nili Lotan
Arlen cardigan
Material: 52% wool (merino wool), 35% baby camel hair, 13% nylon
Colors: Gray
Toteme
cashmere cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Gray, Black
Veronica Beard
Solene cardigan
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Dark Eggplant, Oatmeal, Green
Ralph Lauren
cable-knit cardigan
Material: 80% wool, 20% cashmere.
Colors: Cream, Camel, Red, Green, Damson, Cedar, Dockside Blue, Flannel Grey, Navy, Black
Extreme Cashmere
cashmere-blend cardigan
Material: 88% cashmere, 10% nylon, 2% elastane
Colors: Navy
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Rosie Jarman is a New York-based fashion market editor and writer with over a decade of experience in the industry. She has contributed to leading publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, and CR Fashion Book, where she has covered everything from the biggest runway trends to the best bralettes. With a ... Read More