Why The Quarter-Zip Has Become A Gender-Neutral Fashion Staple

When Matthieu Blazy sent out the opening look at Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 Show, it quietly changed the way the quarter-zip was seen. History was made not only because Bhavitha Mandava became the first Indian model to open for the House but also because of what she wore. No drama. No grand statement. Just a caramel-toned quarter-zip and straight-cut denim. For years, it sat on the sidelines. Think golf courses, morning runs or team warm-ups. Useful, yes, but rarely something you thought about. Fashion doesn’t revive things by overdoing them anymore. It brings them back by making them feel normal again, and the internet plays a significant role in that.

A viral TikTok helped push it over the edge. Two young men in navy ones, iced matchas in hand, casually declaring an upgrade in taste, summed up by the line, ‘No Nike Tech. No coffee. Just quarter-zips and matchas’. It wasn’t sarcastic. That sincerity is what made it catch on with younger audiences, and it didn’t take long before artists like Central Cee and T-Pain picked it up, too.

How the Quarter-Zip Went Mainstream

From there, things moved quickly. According to The Lyst Index, the Polo Ralph Lauren quarter-zip sweater is the hottest product of 2025’s Q4. Searches jumped 132 per cent in the past three months, led by that classic Polo style. On the runways, it appeared at Dior during Jonathan Anderson’s creative director debut and across recent collections from Louis Vuitton, Diesel, and Loewe. A$AP Rocky layered a brown quarter-zip from Miu Miu, a label traditionally associated with womenswear, and made it feel completely natural. That’s the point. The quarter-zip isn’t tied to obvious masculine or feminine cues.

How It’s Worn in Real Life

Away from fashion weeks, the shift is just as clear. Actors like Ishaan Khatter, Rohit Saraf, and Kartik Aaryan wear it as part of their everyday rotation, not as a statement piece. In Hollywood, you see the same approach with Brad Pitt, Robert Pattinson, and Jonathan Bailey. Nothing feels overthought. As Daksh Sharma, founder and creative director of T~24 Story, puts it, “Men are finally choosing ease with dignity. A quarter-zip sits between a sweatshirt and a sweater. It gives comfort without losing structure. It works in offices, on flights, at dinners, and in business meetings. At a time when men are simplifying their wardrobes, the quarter-zip answers a real need: one piece that moves with different versions of the same man.”

Styling The Quarter-Zip

Sharma says over-styling is where most men go wrong. “A quarter-zip works best as a quiet layer. Over a fine T-shirt or a solid polo-collar shirt. With tailored trousers or slim straight denim. Not joggers. Footwear should stay clean and understated: slip-on trainers or loafers, never bulky or street-led shoes. The zip should sit slightly open, never fully closed. The goal isn’t to spotlight the garment. It’s to spotlight the man,” he opines.  

A spokesperson from Selected shares a similar view – “Layering the half-zip over a collared shirt adds contrast at the neckline that works for the office and still feels right in the evening. Straight-fit denim and good trainers suit weekends, while tailored trousers take it somewhere smarter. Short-sleeved versions follow the same logic.”

Getting Colour and Texture Right

When it comes to colour and fabric, Sharma points to a softer palette. “This season isn’t about loud navy or artificial indigo. Think muted, melange blues, alongside earthy shades like forest green, stone, sand, and softened browns. They dominate for a reason and sit well with what’s already in your wardrobe. Fabric choice matters too. Brushed knits, soft cashwool, lambswool, and melange yarns add interest without feeling fussy,” he opines.

Why It Works All Year, Not Just in Winter

Men aren’t really building wardrobes by season anymore. They’re investing in pieces they can keep wearing. That’s where the quarter-zip fits in. “It’s a wardrobe staple for a reason. Quality materials, functional design, and a timeless silhouette give it staying power beyond seasonal shifts. It offers the kind of versatility men actually look for, moving easily across settings. And it isn’t limited to cold weather. Short-sleeve versions carry the same design language into warmer months. This is one of those essential pieces built to last, designed to work hard, and meant to stay relevant well beyond a single season,” adds the Selected spokesperson.

The Quarter-Zip Edit

Ralph Lauren

Louis Vuitton

Sandro

Selected

T~24 Story

Jack & Jones

Uniqlo

Andamen