18 Best Lightweight Sweaters & Cardigans for Breezy, Year-Round Tropical Travels

The best lightweight sweaters for breezy, year-round tropical travels, plus changing temps back home: stylish cardigans to easy pullovers to versatile wraps.


Last updated: September 2023

When traveling to the tropics, visions of floaty maxi dresses, wide-brim sun hats, oversized sunnies and that exceptionally flattering one-piece likely come to mind. All essentials, yes, but there’s one tropical travel staple that’s too-often overlooked: the versatile, lightweight, all-weather sweater.

That go-to throw on for when sun-kissed days turn into breezy evenings and later, windswept nights by the sea. Or when lounging about in the A/C-cooled resort lobby or dining in that indoor restaurant that’s always just a little too cold for bare shoulders. I haven’t even mentioned the inescapable in-flight draft you’re bound to experience reaching the tropics in the first place, which always calls for that elusive extra layer.

Because tropical travels can go from balmy to bitter in an instant, we’ve prepared an edit of 18 wardrobe wonders all keeping you covered amongst cyclical temps. Whether you prefer the streamlined look of an open-front cardigan or the ease of a relaxed pullover – or perhaps the versatility of an effortless wrap – these all-weather sweaters go with practically everything. Plus, wear perfectly in the midst of changing temps back home, too.

Related: The Best Rolling Carry-On Luggage You Can Buy Right Now, According to Amazon Reviews


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  • Barefoot Dreams / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Barefoot Dreams / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Barefoot Dreams / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Barefoot Dreams Nylon/Rayon CozyChic Lite Island Wrap in Taupe, $110.00

  • Nap Loungewear / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Nap Loungewear / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Nap Loungewear / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Nap Loungewear / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Nap Loungewear Modal/Nylon Flowy Open-Front Cardigan in Spindle, $129.00

Related: The Best Travel-Friendly Loungewear Sets That Are Stylish, Cozy and Perfect For Your Short or Long-Haul Flight


  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Cupshe Polyester V-Neck Pullover Sweater in White, $37.99

  • Pact / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Pact / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Pact / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Pact Organic Cotton Honeycomb Knit Open-Front Cardigan in Camel, $138.00

Related: These Are The Best Sweatproof & Water Resistant Sunscreens to Slather on Now


  • L*Space / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • L*Space / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • L*Space / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
L*Space 100% Cotton Sun Ray Sweater in Daybreak Stripe, $119.00

  • PULI / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • PULI / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • PULI / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
PULI Viscose/Polyester Cross Front Poncho Sweater Wrap in Ginger Yellow, $38.99

Related: These Game-Changing Travel Backpacks, Weekenders & Sling Bags Are Made From Recycled Ocean Plastic


  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Cupshe Polyester Ribbed Knit Cutout Oversized Sweater in Apricot, $26.99

  • Amazon Essentials / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Amazon Essentials / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Amazon Essentials / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Amazon Essentials Rayon/Cotton Lightweight Open-Front Cardigan in Light Caramel, $24.70

Related: 18 Stylish, Oversized Beach Towels From Turkish to Round to Classic Cabana Stripes


  • Maaji / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Maaji / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Maaji / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Maaji Ecovero Viscose Tropical Tango Adele Kimono, $97.00

  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Cupshe Acrylic Coffee Break Textured Knit Open-Front Cardigan Sweater in Grey, $39.99

Related: 18 Best Cooling Beauty Products to Beat the Heat, At Home or On-the-Go


  • L*Space / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • L*Space / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • L*Space / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
L*Space Cotton/Polyester Azores Duster in Toffee, $198.00

  • ViX Paula Hermanny / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • ViX Paula Hermanny / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • ViX Paula Hermanny / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
ViX Paula Hermanny Crochet Knit Georgia Sweater, $348.00

Related: The Best Waterproof Phone Cases and Dry Bags That Are Functional, Stylish & Under $30.00


  • MELIFLUOS / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • MELIFLUOS / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • MELIFLUOS / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
MELIFLUOS 100% Bamboo Viscose Ruana Open Front Cape in Gray Khaki, $35.92

  • Pact / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Pact / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Pact / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Pact Brushed Organic Cotton Airplane Cardigan in Mountain View, $94.00

Related: 20 Best One-Piece Swimsuits That Are Stylish, Sexy and Size-Inclusive


  • Amazon Essentials / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Amazon Essentials / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Amazon Essentials / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Amazon Essentials Rayon/Cotton Lightweight Open-Front Cardigan in Grey Heather Stripe, $24.70

  • Nap Loungewear / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Nap Loungewear / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Nap Loungewear 100% Merino Wool Stretching Cat Jacquard Sweater, $169.00

Related: 16 Pairs of Stylish Flip-Flops Kicking Your Old Pair to the Curb


  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • Cupshe / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
Cupshe X Savannah Acrylic/Nylon Knit Warm Hugs Lantern Sleeve Cardigan, $31.99

  • ZESICA / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • ZESICA / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
  • ZESICA / Best Versatile, Travel-Friendly Sweaters For Changing Temperatures
ZESICA Acrylic Batwing Sleeve Open Front Chunky Knit Cardigan Sweater in Camel, $40.99