How to wear a quarter-zip jumper without looking like a finance bro (and 14 of the best)

7 hours ago 7

You’ve probably noticed more quarter-zips around. This time, it’s not the City boys to blame. Rather, it’s that the fashion industry’s attitude has shifted. Once dismissed (not least by GQ, who named it “a joyless jumper for the joyless grind”), the style has been reclaimed by the very people who deemed it uncool – I even wore a Vivienne Westwood design to attend London fashion week.

In menswear circles, the rise has been slow and steady. IYKYK labels such as Mfpen and Amiri introduced them into their autumn/winter 2025 collections, before luxury houses Dior and Louis Vuitton followed suit for spring/summer 26. A few A-list celebs have been spotted wearing them (including People magazine’s sexiest man alive for 2025, Jonathan Bailey). The popularity is measurable, too – in the latest Lyst Index (a quarterly report of the world’s most coveted items in fashion), Polo Ralph Lauren’s cable-knit quarter-zip was named the top menswear buy.

HARRY LAWTEY as the character Robert Spearing in the TV drama Industry, standing outside a large house wearing a navy quarter-zip sweater.

The only tricky part is wearing one without looking like you’re one of the guys from Industry – or, worse, like you’re cosplaying as Rishi Sunak. That’s why I’m here to help. As a menswear writer and stylist, I’ve got a few tried-and-tested tips for styling the corpcore staple and picking one that works – as well as my top picks for the best quarter-zips you can buy right now.

How to wear a quarter-zip

Evan Mock at Paris fashion week in 2025, wearing a quarter-zip and sunglasses.

When it comes to styling, the No 1 rule is simple: avoid looking corporate. The easiest way is to swap the shirt for a T-shirt or a polo (which you could try buttoned up). After all, it’s the shirt-and-quarter-zip combo that’s claimed by finance types.

That doesn’t mean shirts are off-limits; they’re just a little trickier to pull off. Think preppy, not boardroom – you don’t want it to give “office”. An Oxford shirt worn open at the collar can work, as can a shirt-and-tie moment as long as the pieces have personality (check out my guide to wearing a tie for more tips).

The zip also gives you styling options. You could use it to show a pop of colour – say, a red polo – or a Breton stripe to add depth (stripes are big this season, too). It’s best to play around with a few underpinnings at home to find the winning formula.

Model on the runway at Louis Vuitton show wearing purple quater-zip jumper with flared sleeves and a white undershit.

On the bottom, go for something that feels laid-back – the kind of easy silhouettes you might see on Jacob Elordi. Wide-leg tailored trousers. Straight-leg jeans. Work trousers. Even retro tracksuit bottoms. The common theme? None of them come across corporate.

What type of quarter zip should I buy?

Another way to beat the corporate allegations is with the actual quarter-zip you choose: in general, it’s best to lean relaxed. That doesn’t mean “casual” per se, but look for details that don’t feel rigid or stuffy. It could be a dropped shoulder. It could be a relaxed fit. It could be a contemporary-feeling textile like scuba or a ribbed knit. Or it could even be a sweatshirt instead of a jumper. Essentially, it’s best to go for a quarter-zip that gives the impression that you’ve thrown it on without thinking too much – one that seems a little undone and far from overworked.