Whether you’re facing a long-haul flight or a weekend getaway just a short trip away, packing for any journey takes some strategy and plenty of planning. You have limited space and changing weather to deal with (not to mention cabin air conditioning), and of course you want to stay comfortable throughout. We’re here to make the case for one key piece in your travel wardrobe: the cardigan. Sitting perfectly 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.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Travel Cardigans
The Classic Rollneck
J.Crew Rollneck cardigan
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$128 J.CREW
The Cashmere Crewneck
Guest in Residence Cozy cardigan
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$775 NET-A-PORTER
The Bold Stripes
Alex Mill Taylor stripe cardigan
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$178 NORDSTROM
The Pop of Cobalt
Cos merino wool cardigan
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$139 COS
The Elegant Wrap
Róhe off-shoulder wrap cardigan
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$770 RÓHE
The Soft Grey
Dôen Darcy cardigan
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$360 NET-A-PORTER
The Warm Wool
Almada Fez cardigan
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$590 NET-A-PORTER
The Zippered Option
Nili Lotan Arlen cardigan
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$850 NET-A-PORTER
The key word 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 choices on the market right now. Choose from classic crew cardigans 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.
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Khaite
Scarlett cardigan
$2,200 KHAITE
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Taupe, Black, Cream
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J.Crew
Rollneck cardigan
$128 J.CREW
Material: 100% Cotton
Colors: Black, Navy, Mediterranean Olive, Ivory, Faded Lilac, Navy/Ivory Stripe, Green/Navy Stripe
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Guest in Residence
Cozy cardigan
$775 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Red, Camel
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Quince
duster cardigan
$110 QUINCE
Material: 100% Grade-A Mongolian Cashmere
Colors: Oatmeal
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Proenza Schouler
Rocio cardigan
$1,690 PROENZA SCHOULER
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Yellow, Teal, Black
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Alex Mill
Taylor stripe cardigan
$178 NORDSTROM
Material: 95% Cotton, 5% Cashmere
Colors: Navy Ivory Stripe
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Uniqlo
full-zip cardigan
$50 UNIQLO
Material: 100% Cotton
Colors: Brown, Green, Gray, Red, Black
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Dôen
Darcy cardigan
$360 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 82% Merino Wool, 18% Cashmere
Colors: Cream, Gray, Merlot
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Lauren Manoogian
Coto cardigan
$690 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 93% alpaca wool, 7% polyamide
Colors: Dark green
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Allude
wool and cashmere-blend cardigan
$735 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 70% wool, 30% cashmere
Colors: Black
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Cos
merino wool sweater
$139 COS
Material: 100% Wool
Colors: Cobalt blue, Beige melange, Butter yellow
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&Daughter
Ada cardigan
$650 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 100% Wool
Colors: Gray
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The Row
Ovaan cardigan
$2,750 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Gray
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Almada
Fez cardigan
$590 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 70% merino wool, 30% cashmere
Colors: Black
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Róhe
off-shoulder wrap cardigan
$770 RÓHE
Material: 70% Wool, 30% Cashmere
Colors: Taupe, Black, Cream
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Sézane Emile cardigan $175 SÉZANE
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
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Loulou de Saison Aidar crewneck cardigan $390 NORDSTROM
Material: 90% Wool, 10% Cashmere
Colors: Charcoal Melange, Black, Ivory, Grizzly
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Banana Republic oversized sailor cardigan $248 BANANA REPUBLIC
Material: 55% Merino wool, 45% cotton
Colors: Stonewashed beige, Navy blue
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Arch4 Elward cardigan $845 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Gray
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H&M cashmere cardigan $219 H&M
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Dark Taupe, Black
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ME+EM straight cardigan $395 ME+EM
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Pecan Brown
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Nili Lotan Arlen cardigan $850 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 52% wool (merino wool), 35% baby camel hair, 13% nylon
Colors: Gray
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Toteme cashmere cardigan $790 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Gray, Black
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Veronica Beard Solene cardigan $498 VERONICA BEARD
Material: 100% Cashmere
Colors: Dark Eggplant, Oatmeal, Green
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Ralph Lauren cable-knit cardigan $268 RALPH LAUREN
Material: 80% wool, 20% cashmere.
Colors: Cream, Camel, Red, Green, Damson, Cedar, Dockside Blue, Flannel Grey, Navy, Black
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Extreme Cashmere cashmere-blend cardigan $625 NET-A-PORTER
Material: 88% cashmere, 10% nylon, 2% elastane
Colors: Navy
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs 25 Travel Cardigans for Every Trip
1 What is a travel cardigan
A travel cardigan is a lightweight packable sweater you wear as an extra layer during trips Its designed to be easy to carry and versatile enough for different climates and occasions
2 Why should I pack a cardigan instead of a jacket
Cardigans are lighter fold smaller and work in more situationsfrom chilly flights to cool evenings Theyre easier to layer and remove as temperatures change
3 What does 25 travel cardigans mean
It refers to a curated collection of cardigan optionsdifferent styles fabrics and lengthsso you can pick the right one for each trip whether its a beach vacation or a winter city break
4 Whats the best fabric for a travel cardigan
Merino wool is great for temperature control and odor resistance Cotton and cotton blends are breathable and easy to care for Synthetic blends dry fast and resist wrinkles
5 How many cardigans should I bring on a trip
One or two is usually enough Choose a neutral color that matches most outfits and add a second only if your trip spans very different climates or dress codes
6 Can I wear a cardigan on a plane
Yesits one of the most practical flight layers It keeps you warm in cold cabins and is easy to take off when it gets stuffy
7 What length is most versatile for travel
A hiplength or slightly longer cardigan works for most outfits and occasions Longline cardigans are cozier but take up more space
8 How do I keep a cardigan from wrinkling in my suitcase
Roll it instead of folding it or use packing cubes Choose wrinkleresistant fabrics like merino or synthetic blends and hang it up when you arrive
9 Are cardigans good for warmweather trips
Yesa thin cotton or linen cardigan is perfect for airconditioned spaces breezy evenings and sun protection without adding much heat
10 What colors are best for travel
Neutral colors like black navy gray beige or cream match almost everything and hide minor stains A bright color can add variety if you pack mostly neutrals