In the United Kingdom, the advent of spring doesn’t necessarily mean that our autumnal wardrobe is packed-up entirely and placed in storage until next season. The weather on our humble island is a capricious, fickle fiend and can never be relied upon to provide warmth and sunshine – no matter what the seasonal temperature should be.
April showers indeed bring May flowers, but May cannot be guaranteed to be all sunshine and posies. Thus, some form of knitwear is a year-round clothing essential for the vast majority of us Brits. Whether used for light layering during transitional months or thrown over a summer dress for extra warmth during those pub days-turned-nights – a cosy, warm layer is always needed.
You may or may not have heard of the ‘Coastal Grandmother/Granddaughter’ trend that has been making the rounds on social media. Characterised by a colour palette that reflects the seaside, Coastal Granddaughter chic is all about slouchy linen, comfy cotton and the cosiest of spring/summer knitwear. Think: a pale blue fisherman jumper, a glass of rosé and The Last Great American Dynasty by Taylor Swift on repeat. That’s the vibe, take it or leave it.
For the Costal Grandmother, picture Princess Diana on a UK beach holiday, or an old school Ralph Lauren advert featured in a tattered copy of Country Living. Starting to get it now? It’s all about embodying the wardrobe of those who reside in coastal towns in the United States and warmer European countries – the lucky ones who experience dreamy sunshine spells alongside higher temperatures all year round.
If that sounds like a style trend you’d like to hop on, or you’re simply in need of a spring knitwear refresh – keep scrolling for a round-up of the best lightweight and cosy jumpers for warmer weather.
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Cotton Jumper
Ahoy, Sailor! This slouchy, collared V-neck jumper from Arket exemplifies coastal town chic. Made from 100 per cent organic cotton and knitted in a Milano-style rib, this knit also features side slits at the seams for extra breathability during those warmer months. We love how the brand has styled this piece with white, baggy boyfriend jeans and moccasins for the ultimate preppy summer look.
Buy now £69.00, Arket
Wrap Cardigan
Cosy wrap cardigans not only make us feel like off-duty ballerinas, but they’re an incredibly practical wardrobe staple for year-round use. Layered-up with a thin turtleneck and a light worker jacket in the autumn or worn loosely tied with a tank top during the spring – you’d be remiss not to add one of these styles to your knitwear arsenal.
This one from & Other Stories is made from recycled polyester and features ribbed detailing at the cuffs and the hem.
Buy now £45.00, & Other Stories
Bella Freud Romanticism oversized text-pattern wool jumper
Best known for her iconic line of 1970 wool and cashmere jumpers, Bella Freud’s eponymous label is the place to go for funky and esoteric knits. This oversized jumper features the simple catchword, ‘Romanticism’ sprawled across the chest in ever so slightly wonky green lettering.
Though made from 100 per cent wool and therefore on the warmer side when it comes to spring-ready knits, we think this jumper is the perfect companion for romanticising those midnight beach walks and windy evenings in pub gardens.
Buy now £345.00, Selfridges
Aligne Guy Zip Neck Jumper
Remember when we said that all you need to embody the Coastal Granddaughter aesthetic is a pale blue fisherman jumper? If you couldn’t quite picture it, this is exactly what we meant. This timeless design features a front half-zip and a wonderfully oversized collar. It is cut from sustainably sourced recycled polyester and is designed to fit slightly big, so you can throw it over your favourite pair of dungarees and relax on your imaginary deck.
Buy now £44.99, Aligne
House of Sunny Daybreak Vol.2 Cardigan
House of Sunny is known for its landscape-inspired cardigans that have been a stalwart in the brand’s collections over the years. The Daytripper and Daybreak knits often make use of hues that we find in nature – particularly the honeyed and warm-toned colours of sunrise and sunset. This Daybreak Vol 2 cardi is no different, and we are big fans of the baby pink and neutral toned design.
Knitted from the brand’s signature vegan yarn, this piece features a button-down closure and the chic oversized collar style that we’ve been seeing everywhere right now.
Buy now £98.00, Liberty
Sezane Nathalia Sweater
Delicate, romantic and incredibly soft, the Nathalia Sweater from Sezane is as light as a cloud and almost resembles one. Designed to be worn two ways – with the V-neck opening at either the front or the back – this mohair knit features a scalloped, crochet finish and slightly ballooned sleeves.
Buy now £115.00, Sezane
Wave Stripe Sleeveless Sweater
Technically neither a sweater vest nor a sweater, this sleeveless number will keep your body warm and your arms free for all your spring frolicking needs. Crafted from a merino wool and cotton blend, this relaxed-fit knit boasts extended shoulders for a little bit of extra coverage. The undulating, jacquard wave pattern is offset by thick, ribbed colour blocking – making it a fantastic statement piece to match to your favourite pair of jeans or trousers.
Buy now £125.00, TOAST
H&M Pointelle-knit cardigan
The super fine pointelle-knit which adorns the front of this cardigan is so delicate it almost appears like handwoven crochet. With dropped shoulders, scalloped edges and a V-shaped neckline, we can imagine throwing this over a swimsuit after a day at the British seaside.
Buy now £17.99, H&M
Simon Sweater
We’re in a lavender haze just looking at Rouje’s Simon Sweater. Dressed-up or dressed-down, this short-sleeved knit with its coquille details and fitted waistline makes for a comfortable wardrobe addition that gives an effortless Parisian chic feel. Flirt with the notion of summer while remaining warm and cosy in this 100 per cent cotton knit.
Buy now £140.00, Rouje
Malibu Solid Surf Set
Two for the price of one, it doesn’t get cosier than this Malibu surf set from Free People. Offered in a whopping 24 different colourways, we were particularly drawn to this autumnal sky hue. If you’re looking to purchase a perfectly slouchy loungewear set to wear on those WFH spring afternoons, let this be it.
The effortless silhouette is actually part of Free People’s beach-ready range, but we think it works as a multi-season staple. It is made from 54 per cent cotton and 46 per cent acrylic for a silky-smooth skin-feel. Wear this set with a pair of Birkenstock clogs and your favourite striped shirt and you’ll be the immediate envy of all your pals.
Buy now £68.00, Free People
Stine Goya check-pattern long-sleeve jumper
A pastel-toned delight, this ballooned sleeved jumper from Stine Goya combines two of our favourite spring-ready trends: checkerboard and canary yellow. Despite its bright and bohemian appearance, we find that this acrylic and alpaca wool piece makes for a versatile and stylish addition to all outfits, no matter the season. If it’s good enough for Kendall Jenner...
Buy now £200.00, Farfetch
