This Striped Summer Sweater Has Been Mistaken For a $138 J.Crew Design—But It’s Actually $30 On Amazon

Image: Samantha Sutton; RICHTRUE; Adobe. Design: Sasha Purdy / StyleCaster

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Every so often, I’ll come across an Amazon fashion find so good, I can’t help but get a little braggy about it. I’ll happily share links to lounge sets that look just like something I saw at Free People or tell my friends about a pearl bag I added to my rotation years ago, which is still my go-to whenever I attend weddings.

So when someone complimented my striped summer sweater recently, asking if it was “that one from J.Crew,” I couldn’t help but give them the real deal: it was something I found when browsing cardigans on Amazon, and at just $30, I simply had to have it.

RICHTRUE Old Money Aesthetic Clothing Women Striped Cardigan

$30Buy Now

Sizes: S – L
Colors: 2

Personally, I’m someone who feels cold all 12 months of the year. Even if it’s 85 degrees and sunny, I’m sticking a sweater in my bag, just in case. I rarely regret carrying around that extra layer. So many stores and restaurants start blasting the air conditioning around Memorial Day, and even if I’m overheated while walking outside, I’m freezing five minutes after coming indoors.

So, while the concept of summer cardigans may seem strange to some, they make a lot of sense to me. RICHTRUE’s Old Money Aesthetic Striped Cardigan also gives off nautical, retro vibes, and I knew it would be perfect for breezy beachside hangs, summer date nights, days at the always-cold office, and more.

Courtesy of Samantha Sutton

What I didn’t fully realize — until a very in-the-know influencer pointed it out — is that I had come across an Amazon lookalike for J.Crew’s Emilie Sweater Lady Jacket, which originally retailed for $138 but is now discounted at $110. The stripes, the buttons, and the crewneck design all appear to be super similar, but instead of being made of 100% cotton, my summer sweater is 100% polyester.

I recently put this piece to the test by layering it over a white sundress. Despite its reasonable price tag, it kept me warm once the temperature (unexpectedly!) dipped into the 60s. I plan to keep it in my regular rotation, styling it with everything from vintage capri pants to white denim shorts.

Some of the more negative reviews on Amazon note that the sweater runs small and the buttons look like they don’t match up. I didn’t have either issue, but since I wanted an oversized fit, I did select a medium instead of my usual small.

I loved this $30 cardigan so much that I’m debating ordering an additional color (it also comes in red). However, Amazon has other similar styles that I’m also curious about—including a 4.8-star GRACE KARIN pick and a striped LATAHUO sweater , which is available in black and brown along with white and yellow—so I may end up adding those to my cart as well.