The Men’s Quarter Zip Guide: Fit, Fabrics & How to Style It
Shannon Firby on Wed, Feb 18, 26
How to style your Quarter Zips this season
Fit, fabric and function: Quarter Zips and how to wear them
What's a Quarter Zip?
We don't have the exact measurements that constitute the official 'quarter zip', so if you want to call it a half-zip, by all means... but for all intents and purposes, they're sweatshirts, fleeces, or jumpers that have a zipped placket that doesn't fully undo the entire garment. Pretty versatile, overall, some come with a smart collar and some with a funnel neck that can be unzipped slightly.
They came about as a sportswear style, naturally, offering a way of airing out a bit of heat without fully de-layering... a sort of 'waft out the top' kind of thing, if you will.
Given that they're pretty much a sweatshirt with a zip at the neck, they can be cut to fit slim, regular, or relaxed; that's down to the brand you buy from, really. Polo Ralph Lauren generally keep it regular, along with Belstaff and Fred Perry, but if you wanted something a bit more toward the Activewear side of the scales, BOSS tend to opt for a slimmer silhouette in some styles. And then brands like Carhartt WIP serve up looser-fitting cuts.
Since then, quarter zips are generally associated with the preppy/Ivy League styles that the like of Polo Ralph Lauren bring to the table and have recently had a bit of a leg up in the streetwear realms thanks to someone on TikTok probably... but actually, trend-aside, they're a fairly nifty layer for the inbetween weather that we known and love in the UK.
Plus, a quarter zip actually bridges the gap between smart and casual, so, for the big city bloke, you can probably wear one to the office and not have to stuff something cooler in your bag for a drink after work.
What brands have the best Quarter Zips?
Want a quarter zip but not sure where to look? We've grouped them all together in one collection.
But if you'd rather sidestep trawling through one big page, we've broken down some of the big guns in the quarter zip game.
Polo Ralph Lauren is generally the top dog when it comes to the faithful quarter zip, with an ode to the styles of Ivy League icons gone by. Usually a regular fit, and available in a range of colourways, they're pretty tried and true, to be honest.
Fred Perry is another failsafe when it comes to a quarter zip that will fit right in your wardrobe and feel, frankly, quite timeless. Another regular fit gem, with a cotton makeup, it's versatile, washes well, and feels proper good.
Belstaff and PS Paul Smith have collections souped up with more regular fitting quarter zips. Seasonal colourways offer a new burst of vibrancy, if you need it, or core iterations of navy and black for when you need them.
Carhartt WIP enter the game from a streetwear edge, so the silhouettes are looser, but that doesn't make them scruffy. Instead, they're well-versed to style up with a baggy cargo pant or pair of jeans for a look that feels more intentionally 90's.
Columbia fleeces bring the sportswear element back into the fold, so for those of you still hiking on the weekends, you've got fleeces designed to be able to waft out all that heat from the top, without taking off layers.
How do I style a Quarter Zip?
Like with any sweatshirt, they're best layered over a T-Shirt first of all. Nobody wants to be caught in a pinch, sweating in the office, and unable to de-layer if needed.
But as it goes bottoms-wise, a quarter zip is so versatile, you can switch up for different scenarios.
For something more casual, jeans always work, and cargo pants will work in a similar vein. If you're option for top levels of relaxing, like 'not leaving the house, but need out of your pyjamas', there are quarter zip styles that come with matching joggers... they are sports gear at the end of the day.
If your office runs on a smart-casual, but not jeans, kind of energy, a quarter zip pairs up well with a pair of trousers; dress or otherwise.
Actually, the only bottoms they don't pair with are your swimmers.
