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For those warm summer nights, there is no better way to layer than with a brightly-colored kimono cardigan. While these pieces are ideal for year-round wear, they make the most sense during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and the vacations are aplenty.
Below we have listed some of our favorite women’s kimono cardigans that will make a great addition to any stylish wardrobe. These kimonos are made from soft and flowy fabric and come in plenty of floral and animal prints and even some solid color options.
These kimono cardigans are also very versatile and in addition to a great layering piece, they make an optimal beach or pool cover-up and are great for vacation as they fold up small and barely wrinkle.
Our Favorite Women's Kimono Cardigan
Sy Soul Young Kimono — Best Overall
This kimono alternative is a great chiffon option that has fun fringe-like tassels decorating the bottom. The sheer, comfortable fabric makes this a great swim cover-up and provides protection in any sunny environment, and can easily be paired with jeans or cut-offs and a tank for a fun, carefree look.
Pros
- There are 12 bright and bold color options available
- The kimono is big enough to cover your whole body
Cons
- Only one size is available
Chicgal Kimono — Runner Up
This floral kimono-style cardigan is another great cover-up option made from a sheer, airy lightweight fabric. These kimonos are the ideal travel piece and are an easy way to take a more casual outfit up a notch to make it more dressy.
Pros
- These come in over 40 color and print options
- Comes in a wide range of sizes
Cons
- Not all styles are the same length
Made By Johnny Kimono — Honorable Mention
If you prefer the option of a solid color kimono-style cardigan, this one is a great choice. Made from a silky rayon and spandex material blend, the solid color options have an open front with an asymmetrical hem, are not sheer, and have 3/4 sleeve styling. Pair these cardigans with a monochromatic outfit to give it a pop of color and you some warmth or keep it as a lightweight cover-up at the office.
Pros
- These open cardigans have plenty of stretch for comfort
- Can be machine washed
Cons
- These may wrinkle easily
BB&KK Kimono — Best Value for Money
There is pretty much nothing in your wardrobe that this floral chiffon number can’t be thrown over. Its lightweight, sheer, airy fabric makes it cool and comfortable to wear in warmer temperatures and it has an open front for convenience when taking on and off. This kimono also has 3/4 bell sleeves and is long enough to feel comfortable when wearing your favorite leggings or skinny jeans.
Pros
- This kimono is available in over 40 print options
- This kimono will look good in all seasons
Cons
- It is suggested to hand wash this cardigan
Relipop Kimono — Editor's Pick
Similar to our option above, this chiffon kimono-style cardigan is soft, comfortable, and lightweight for year-round wear. It differs slightly in length as this one falls slightly longer, giving you plenty of fun styling options. Pair this with any jeans or shorts, or use it as the perfect bathing suit cover-up for a fun day at the pool or beach.
Pros
- This kimono cardigan is available in over 40 color options
- The long length is extra elegant
Cons
- This style does not have a button closure
Hibluco Kimono — Also Consider
This longer-style kimono cardigan is a great option if you prefer a fuller coverage. Made from 100% polyester this cardigan features a loose, flowy fit, full batwing-style sleeves, and a high-low curved hem that comes in plenty of vibrant prints. The longer length makes it a great beach cover-up and an excellent vacation piece, in addition to pairing with any of your favorite tank-style dresses.
Pros
- This cardigan is available in a large size range
- Comes in a wide selection of chic patterns
Cons
- The length may overwhelm a more petite figure
Buying Guide: Women's Kimono Cardigans
Cardigans are simple yet stylish, and with kimono cardigans, you give your look a little twist. This is all you need to know about women’s kimono cardigans.
What Are Women's Kimono Cardigans?
Kimono cardigans are a specific type of cardigan that’s designed to resemble that of a Japanese kimono. Kimonos are ornate pieces of clothing worn by Japanese women on special occasions, and the beauty of the kimono is known far and wide, even outside of Japan. Many clothes designers try to emulate and capture that same beauty in modern clothing, hence the creation of the top women’s kimono cardigans in 2024.
Why Do You Need a Women's Kimono Cardigan?
They’re light and comfortable
Cardigans are one of the best ways to cover up a bit of skin in relatively warm weather. They are made out of thin materials, and this makes them very comfortable and breathable even during the hottest of days. Wearing a cardigan won’t let you work up a sweat, and you’ll still be able to feel air passing through your body with no issue at all.
This is partially thanks to the fact that cardigans are, by design, open in the front. Cardigans separate themselves from other sweaters and jackets by this simple fact. An open front means two things - your inner top is visible, and more practically, there’s more room for air to pass through. This natural ventilation provides the perfect environment for your skin, so no matter how hot it may be, your cardigan won’t make the situation even hotter.
You get to show off your top
Another advantage of cardigans is that you can easily show off the shirt or top that you’re wearing beneath. If you were wearing a sweater or hoodie, for example, you’d either need to take off the sweater or unzip the hoodie to show off your tee, but with a cardigan, it’s easily visible. This opens up quite a few options fashion-wise, and you can get really creative.
With an open front, you can mix and match both your cardigan and your top to your liking. You can match the colors on both pieces of clothing, or you can contrast them so that each piece is distinct and easy to see. Either way, this allows for more creative freedom, and that’s never a bad thing if you have an eye for fashion.
It’s very kimono-esque
If you’ve ever seen a kimono in person, then you probably know just how beautiful they are to look at up-close. The ornate patterns and designs woven onto the fabric of the kimonos make each dress look like a work of art, and indeed they are, for many people spend thousands of dollars to buy a great kimono that’ll leave a lasting impression.
Now, unfortunately, kimono cardigans do not emulate this experience perfectly. In fact, you may not even see the similarities between the two at all if you’re being a little nitpicky. But the beautiful flower patterns combined with the soft and premium-looking fabric do remind you of that kimono-like style, and that’s enough for people to draw the connection. And besides, these kimono cardigans look great to wear, whether or not they were inspired by traditional Japanese clothing.
Things to Consider When Buying Women's Kimono Cardigans
Length
Cardigans are usually designed to be loose, and many of them hang far lower than your waistline. This produces a very laid-back, relaxed, and calm vibe with the cardigan on. As such, you’ll want to pick a length that matches the vibe and look you’re aiming for.
In general, the longer the cardigan, the more “casual” it’ll look. This is because, with very long cardigans, you’re getting into the “oversized” territory, a type of fashion that’s almost exclusively casual (except for maybe a few fashion pieces). Shorter cardigans look far more formal, but in a way, that also defeats the purpose of wearing a cardigan in the first place, so think about what you want to achieve by wearing your kimono cardigan.
Pattern
One of the reasons kimono cardigans are called as such is because they resemble the kimono in terms of design and patterns. Many kimonos feature beautiful shapes and patterns, often including various flowers of assorted colors. Kimono cardigans often have a flower or a set of flowers printed on them, hence the association. More patterns and flowers will make your cardigan pop even more, but some may consider this look to be a little too “busy”, with too much going on in a single piece of clothing.
Luckily, not all kimono cardigans are covered head-to-toe in flowers and leaves. Some only have part of the cardigan with prints, and others barely have any patterns at all. Again, it’s a subjective choice, so it’s ultimately up to you whether you’d want to go all out and stand out with your kimono or choose something that’s a little more low-key and manageable.
