One of my absolute favorite pieces for spring has to be the linen cardigan. We’ve been in the groove of the season for a minute now, and with summer literally next month, I know this is going to be my absolute most-worn item for the rest of the sunny weather.

A linen cardigan is the absolute perfect warm-weather layer because it acts as the ultimate summer shield. When it is hot outside, it flows beautifully over a simple tank top or shorts without ever feeling heavy, suffocating, or sticky. It saves you from freezing office air conditioning and blocks the harsh sun without making you overheat. It actually keeps you cool because linen fibers naturally pull moisture away from your skin and dry instantly, so you stay completely fresh even on those humid July afternoons.

If you want it to look effortlessly high-end for the bright days ahead, get it in beige. Beige just looks instantly expensive. It has that cozy, “quiet luxury” vibe that highlights the beautiful, raw texture of the linen. Plus, unlike stark white or heavy black, beige transitions perfectly from a sunny June morning to a chilly January afternoon. When the weather drops, those same breathable fibers actually trap your body heat when you layer it under a heavy coat. It is a true year-round staple that gets softer and fits better the more you wear it.

It’s definitely one of my favorite layering pieces for this time of year, and I honestly don’t think I’ll be packing it away anytime soon.