Bookish Cardigans for Librarians and Library Enthusiasts

⚓ Books    📅 2025-08-14    👤 surdeus    👁️ 2      

surdeus

Cardigans are to librarians as lab coats are to scientists. They’re iconic, as this brief history of librarians and cardigans explains. From It’s a Wonderful Life to Margot Robbie’s librarian SNL skit, if you see a librarian on screen, they’re probably wearing a cardigan.

This versatile piece of clothing is available in all kinds of styles and materials, but why not lean into the bookishness? I’ve rounded up ten cardigans with book patterns to enjoy whether you’re a librarian or just a fan of the classic librarian aesthetic. Any of these would be peak school librarian fashion. And that is what I try to channel in my wardrobe.

Fall is fast approaching, which is the best season to be a reader. Make the most of it by getting a head start on your autumnal reading attire, and don’t forget to stock up on your favorite tea and coffee, too. The cozy season can’t come soon enough!

a calico print cardigan with an image of a cat lying on books
image from KokoKumaShop on Etsy

Cats, cardigans, and books?? What could be better? This shop has all kinds of cute cardigans, including a capybara one I’m having trouble resisting. $84

a pink cardigan with a row of books at the bottom
image from TheDevotionTheory on Etsy

Not only does this cardigan have a cute row of books across the front, but the entire back is a library design. It’s available in a bunch of different colors and sizes 2XS to 3X. $80

a cardigan with a dragon flying over mountains and the text "A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead."
images from ShopNarrativeThreads on Etsy

Fans of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros will love this licensed The Vale button-up cardigan. Available in sizes S-3XL. $97

cardigan with comic book speech bubbles and sound effects
image from Grizz

If you have a pull list at your local comic shop, this speech bubble and onomatopoeia print cardigan is the one for you. Available in sizes S-5XL. $87

a teal cardigan with book print
image from Popsy Clothing

This cardigan with a book print is available in teal and navy in UK sizes 6-24. $58

a brown cardigan with a bookshelves design
image from SleepyPeachClothing on Etsy

I feel like this bookshelf print cardigan is the quintessential librarian cardigan. It’s available in sizes S-3XL.

an 80s book print cardigan
image from LittleVeggieVintage on Etsy

For a retro option, check out this 1980s book cardigan! Size medium. $62

90s Library-Inspired Print Cardigan
image from FashionforFables on Etsy

Or you can go for a 90s look with this maximalist library cardigan. Size 36 DE (US size 8). $40

blue cardigan with a book print
image from KissofK on Etsy

This cardigan with a falling books pattern is a great match for those of us slowly being buried alive by our TBR. Available in sizes XS-5XL. $47

cardigan with a colorful book print
image from KissofK on Etsy

And finally, this book print cardigan is available in several colors and sizes S-3XL. $39

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