Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer.

Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer.

      For the past five or six summers, I've journeyed to various locations in Europe to bid farewell to the quieter months and brace myself for the less pleasant season in New York City: winter. (Fall is hardly noticeable in the city—it typically lasts just a few weeks.) Among the coastal towns I've visited are Marseille, Cadaqués, and Camogli. While my primary focus is on food, beaches, and a generally laid-back atmosphere, I also look for places ideal for people-watching, or more specifically, observing outfits. The most relaxed and stylish fashion emerges from popular vacation spots that Europeans flock to on summer weekends and during their extended August holidays. Imagine linen pants, large straw bags and hats, airy dresses, and leather sandals, alongside cotton sweaters, a staple I frequently encounter during my late-summer trips. Throughout fall, winter, and spring, fashionable European women combine their Prada and Saint Laurent skirts with cashmere knits, varying from turtlenecks to sleeveless pullovers. In the warmer months, they replace these with lighter cotton versions that have a looser weave allowing the refreshing seaside breeze to flow through.

      To usher in the cotton-sweater season, I strongly recommend exploring the knits that stylish European women opt for in place of cashmere every summer. The best options? You'll find them listed below.

      Achieve this look: oversized cotton sweater + capri pants + heeled clogs. What’s great about this trend is its simplicity. Just throw on a cotton sweater with your favorite capri pants and some sandals, and you're good to go—no fuss needed.

      ANOTHER TOMORROW

      Organic Cotton Sweater

      Massimo Dutti

      Cotton Blend V-Neck Sweater

      Kallmeyer S/S 25 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

      Achieve this look: cream cotton sweater + cream silk skirt + ballet flats. This was one of my favorite outfits from the spring/summer 2025 season. It appears so effortlessly elegant, demonstrating that sophistication doesn’t require much effort or accessorizing.

      Kallmeyer

      Riona Rollneck in Slub Cotton

      J.Crew

      Heritage Cotton Rollneck Sweater

      Achieve this look: cream cotton sweater + classic bikini + straw bag. The next time you're off to the beach in a quaint seaside town, simply layer a cotton sweater over your bikini as a cover-up and grab your largest straw bag.

      Nordstrom

      Chunky Cotton Blend Sweater

      Vince

      Open Knit Boat Neck Sweater

      Ralph Lauren S/S 25 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

      Achieve this look: navy cotton sweater + short shorts + leather bag + flat sandals. At Ralph Lauren's show in the Hamptons last September, models showcased an aura of relaxed luxury in cotton knits, flowing dresses, and sporty jackets.

      Polo Ralph Lauren

      Flag Crewneck Sweater

      Tuckernuck

      Navy Cotton Americana Sweater

      Achieve this look: cotton sweater + maxi silk slip dress. The simplest way to dress down a maxi silk slip dress is to add a sweater on top, and since cashmere can be too warm in the summer, cotton is your ideal choice!

      La Ligne

      Solid Marina Sweater

      Khaite S/S 25 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

      Achieve this look: black cotton sweater + crochet skirt + sheer tights + strappy sandals. For a darker, more formal outfit, select a black cotton sweater and pair it with a matching crochet midi skirt. Adding black sheer tights and heeled strappy sandals enhances this gothic-chic vibe.

      J.Crew

      Heritage Cotton Relaxed V-Neck Sweater

      La Ligne

      Mock Neck Solid Marina Sweater

      Achieve this look: bell-sleeve cotton sweater + matching flared pants + shoulder bag. The only thing better than a cotton sweater is one paired with matching pants. No outfit has ever been put together more effortlessly—period.

      HIGH SPORT

      Jordan Cotton Sweater

      Shop more cotton sweaters:

      Massimo Dutti

      Cotton Blend Knit Sweater

      Madewell

      Boatneck Pullover Sweater

      Nordstrom

      Cotton V-Neck Sweater

      MANGO

      Boat Neck Cotton Blend Sweater

      GUEST IN RESIDENCE

      Island Cotton-Blend Sweater

      J.Crew

      Ribbed Funnelneck Sweater in Linen-Cotton Blend

      CO

      Handknit Crew Sweater in Cotton

      Paneros Clothing

      Sloane Cotton Crewneck Sweater

      THE ROW

      Kathy Cotton-Bouclé Sweater

      Barbour

      Marine Relaxed Fit Cotton Sweater

      Polo Ralph Lauren

      Polo Bear Embroidered Linen & Cotton Crewneck Sweater

Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer. Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer.

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Chic women in Marseille and Cadaqués replace their cashmere sweaters with this lighter alternative every summer.

Classified as vintage J.Crew.