Most spring fashion trends are quite predictable, like florals, pastels and light-weight knits. But this season has a couple of surprises up its sleeve. Coastal‑grandma cardigans are majorly in, and we’re leaning into the soft, seaside‑inspired vibe. Though it first popped up around 2022, this social‑media‑famous trend pays tribute to the linen‑loving, beach‑walking women who embody quiet coastal luxury. We’re talking Nancy Meyers–style icons like Meryl Streep and the late Diane Keaton — women who make coastal-inspired fashion look youthful and stylish, not frumpy and forgettable.
In honor of this cozy-chic aesthetic, we’ve rounded up 17 coastal‑grandma cardigans that capture the breezy charm, soft textures and simple elegance the look is understood for. From puff‑sleeve silhouettes to colourful and open‑stitch styles, these picks from Amazon, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Abercrombie & Fitch make coastal luxury feel totally wearable. Shop the look below — starting at $17.
17 Youthful Coastal‑Grandma Cardigans Made For Spring
1. Our Favorite: With an ultra‑relaxed fit, this lightweight cropped cardigan allows you to rock the coastal‑grandma trend while keeping things fresh, flirty and totally comfortable. The compliment-worthy style is available in a variety of colours, including red, green and butter yellow.
2. Nantucket Vibes: Go full nautical-chic on this blue‑and‑white cardigan, complete with an eye fixed‑catching scallop trim. The comfortable silhouette makes it a simple match for distressed denim, boho maxi skirts and all the pieces in between.
3. Boutique Style: Achieve wealthy‑mom style on a budget with a textured knit cardigan from Amazon. The roomy piece has that heirloom quality that brings a touch of quiet luxury to even your simplest looks.
4. Work to Home: It looks and seems like cashmere, but Petal & Pup’s elbow-length cardigan is breathable, reasonably priced and totally spring‑ready. Reviewers rave that it’s the comfortable staple they reach for from desk to downtime.
5. Slimming Silhouette: Cleverly draw attention away out of your midsection with a peplum‑style cropped cardigan from All In Favor. Even higher, it’s finished with sweet feminine details like ruffle sleeves and a classic pointelle knit.
6. No Heaviness: Get the cable‑knit look without the heaviness with Lucky Brand’s short‑sleeve cardigan. It captures the coastal‑grandma feel while staying modern quite than frumpy.
7. Scenic Style: Put your love for coastal fashion on display on this roomy Abercrombie & Fitch layer. The cream knit contains a charming sailboat scene that immediately channels breezy seaside style.
8. On Point: At first glance, this pointelle gray cardigan seems understated, however the intricate stitch detail makes it a coastal classic with quiet‑luxury appeal. Reviewers can’t recover from how soft it feels and the way high‑end it looks.
9. Spring-Approved: We love a cardigan you may rock well into spring (possibly even summer), and this cropped short‑sleeve option is the right lightweight layer for warmer days. Pick from spring-centric colours like red, green, cream or blue.
10. Beach Babe: Long walks on the beach feel more feasible and trendy on this open‑knit short‑sleeve cardigan. Reviewers say the breezy layer gives off major vacay vibes.
11. Inexpensive Luxury: No brand nails reasonably priced luxury style like Quince, and the brand’s cropped cotton cardigan is the right example. Soft, breathable and elevated enough to wear with anything, it’s the right addition to any coastal-grandma capsule collection.
12. Celeb-Loved: Luxury lovers, don’t miss Quince’s best-selling Mongolian cashmere short‑sleeve cardigan. Jessica Alba has worn the same style from the brand, giving the piece that celebrity‑approved coastal polish.
13. Keep It Light: If you happen to’re not able to commit to a full‑on button-up, consider this tie‑front crochet cardigan. It’s a stunning spring layering piece that immediately lightens up your coastal-chic closet.
14. Lived-In Look: For that laid‑back luxe vibe, reach for this oversized Free People cardigan. The tie‑front silhouette, roomy sleeves and distressed wash give it immediate coastal charm.
15. Puff-Sleeve Pick: Color Us surprised because we never expected Levi’s to tug out a puff-sleeve cardigan as chic as this. Every part from the oversized buttons to the fragile pointelle knit gives it a soft, feminine feel that’s worlds beyond its usual denim staples.
16. Breezy Design: We’ve seen our justifiable share of crochet cardigan sweaters, but none have been as chic and wearable as this cropped one. It’ll look especially lovely with monochrome trousers and a pair of easy slip‑on sandals.
17. Seasonally Sensible: Trying to nail the coastal‑grandma aesthetic without being too trendy? CeCe’s V‑neck cardigan — available in a stunning lavender and a classic navy — keeps things flirty and fun while still feeling timeless enough to wear 12 months after 12 months.
At 5’3”, it’s difficult to seek out clothing that I’m not swimming in, especially on the subject of jackets. Nevertheless, more fashion firms have been rolling out petite-friendly designs, crafting outerwear that doesn’t look five sizes too big. Over time, I’ve found that cropped silhouettes all the time work best on a smaller frame, and this spring, […]