Iris Law is making a strong case for keeping lightweight cardigans in rotation as summer approaches, showing how the humble knit can work as a fresh warm-weather layer with a playful Y2K twist. In a recent Instagram roundup of street style looks, Law wore a pale yellow cardigan decorated with pink and white butterfly prints, beaded floral details, lace trim, and small metallic buttons. She paired the piece with pale blue leggings, creating a soft pastel palette that extended to her light blue manicure.
Law also shared another cardigan look while in Europe, this time choosing a dark purple version styled in a more polished, monochrome outfit. The thin cardigan was buttoned and draped over her shoulders like a shawl, worn with a matching knit skirt and a light purple top trimmed with cream lace. She finished the ensemble with a cream shoulder bag featuring reptile embossing, along with a delicate crystal bracelet and a pink hair barrette. The look leaned into coordinated textures and nostalgic styling while remaining easy and wearable.
Her outfit choices reflect a broader return of lightweight cardigans in fashion this season. Unlike their heavier winter counterparts, these softer versions are being reimagined in sheer, crocheted, and open-knit fabrics, often with button-front designs that recall the 1990s. Designers are offering the style in a wide range of colors and prints, from bright stripes to floral embellishments, turning the cardigan into a versatile summer staple rather than a cold-weather basic. Labels including Staud, Dôen, Extreme Cashmere, Oscar de la Renta, and Guest In Residence have all embraced the trend.
The cardigan revival has also been reinforced by a number of high-profile style figures, including Elle Fanning, Dakota Johnson, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Katie Holmes, who have each worn versions of the look in recent appearances. With those celebrity endorsements, the light knit has become one of the season’s more visible layering pieces, bridging the gap between comfort and style.
Law’s outfits suggest that lightweight cardigans can be worn in multiple ways: layered over skirts and tops, draped over the shoulders, or styled as the main focus of an outfit. Her preference for whimsical details and soft colors gives the trend a youthful, romantic feel that fits neatly with the current nostalgia-driven fashion mood. As summer begins, her looks position the cardigan as an item with staying power, proving that knitwear does not need to disappear when temperatures rise.
