How to wear a quarter-zip jumper without looking like a finance bro (and 14 of the best)
Once a corporate trademark, the half-zip sweater is now fashion’s hottest look. Want to avoid cosplaying Rishi Sunak when you wear one? Our menswear expert reveals all
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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.
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.
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How to wear a quarter-zip
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.
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.
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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.
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The best quarter-zips to wear
Polo Ralph Lauren cable-knit cotton quarter-zip
Let’s start with the quarter-zip that Lyst has named the hottest menswear product in the world right now: the Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit. Since luxury designers are styling the look preppy-adjacent, it’s no wonder that RL is coming out on top. As with the brand’s entire collection, it’s classic through and through, from the regular fit to the versatile colours – and the cable-knit finish injects a dose of refined, collegiate finesse.
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M&S cotton-blend ribbed half-zip jumper
For affordable menswear staples, Marks & Spencer is hard to beat. This zip-up jumper, for example, reads much more expensive than its RRP. The ribbed construction feels premium, while the dropped shoulders keep it intentionally relaxed – without forgoing timelessness. The only downside is that it’s not 100% cotton (it’s blended with polyester) – but, for £38, it’s a bargain.
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Fred Perry half-zip sweatshirt
What’s not to love about Fred Perry? Few brands fuse athletic heritage with fashion subcultures – namely mod, grunge and terracewear – quite so well. This jumper is the perfect example, cut to a casual, easy fit and finished with the signature laurel wreath and twin-tipped cuffs.
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Cos boiled-wool zip-up polo jumper
High-street store Cos designs with a minimal mindset. The focus is on fit and fabric rather than flashy details. This boiled-wool jumper is a case in point. The fuzzy, tactile finish. The relaxed cut. The contrast ribbed collar, chest pocket and slightly elasticated hem. Put them together, and you’ve got a jumper that comes across as high-end for a fairly reasonable price.
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Weekday loose half-zip sweatshirt
Weekday is largely aimed at gen Z, with bold colours, contemporary cuts and tongue-in-cheek graphics. If you do some digging, however, you can find strong classics that anyone could wear. This zip-up, for instance, isn’t too dissimilar from the Dior design worn by Jonathan Bailey in October – a slight crop that’s not too exaggerated, making it ideal for layering.
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Double A by Wood Wood wool quarter-zip
Double A by Wood Wood – the Danish line’s accessibly priced diffusion line – is a go-to for understated menswear with elevated details. This jumper, for example, seems fairly pared back – but look closer, and you’ll notice the warm, fuzzy lamb’s wool textile and well-finished ribbed stand collar. All finished off nicely with the double-A monogram at the chest.
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Arket knitted half-zip jumper
In Arket’s signature style, this quarter-zip is minimal Scandi menswear at its finest. It’s designed with simplicity in mind: cut relaxed, with a slightly dropped shoulder and a soft cotton knit. Plain, yes – but throw it over a striped T-shirt with black work trousers and you’ve got yourself a strong fit.
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Octobre Éditions Wesson sweatshirt
As the name suggests, Octobre Éditions hails from France – and it shows. The collections have that low-key, Parisian cool-guy energy: nothing loud, nothing showy, just stylish menswear that feels simple yet confident. The quarter-zips are no exception. Take this green number – it’s classic through and through, but the relaxed fit gives it an air of French nonchalance.
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Mango sweatshirt with soft-touch inner zip neck
Mango’s men’s collection is underrated. The Spanish high-street brand is an expert at simple classics, such as oxford shirts, denim, tailoring, T-shirts and, of course, quarter-zips. There are lots of colours to choose from in a few different shapes and sizes, but my favourite is this simple, relaxed-fit navy take.
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L’Estrange the 24 merino half-zip
L’Estrange, a London-based brand, is all about a capsule wardrobe mindset, creating timeless pieces that are intended to look good in any combination. Alongside T-shirts, oxford shirts and trousers, the brand sees a quarter-zip as an important element of the menswear wardrobe, so it’s a great place to source a versatile option like this merino wool design.
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Zara regular-fit quarter-zip sweatshirt
You’ll already know that Zara’s a heavy-hitter for premium-looking menswear on a budget, so naturally it’s a solid destination for a quarter-zip. This one’s my favourite. The smooth loop-back cotton leans into quiet luxury, while the laid-back cut looks unbothered in the best way possible. The perfect combo.
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A Day’s March Drew half-zip sweatshirt
Timelessness is at the heart of A Day’s March. The Swedish brand is all about making clothes that last, from sharp overcoats to upmarket denim. This quarter-zip is taken up a notch by the pointed collar and boxy cut, while the chocolate brown colour seals the deal. It’s a shade that almost always looks chic, after all.
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Charles Tyrwhitt merino quarter-zip
Charles Tyrwhitt is a reliable spot for a good, solid jumper at a good, solid price. The design tends to be fairly pared back, but the fabrics and craftsmanship always go beyond what the price suggests. Take this merino wool quarter-zip, for example – it’s a straight-up classic that carries the feel of a jumper that costs way more than £80. It’s a touch officewear-adjacent, so make sure the rest of your outfit brings the off-duty vibe.
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J Crew ‘83 fleece quarter-zip sweatshirt
I don’t often recommend bright pieces, but I’ll make an exception for this red quarter-zip by J Crew – especially because the spring/summer 2026 mood is all about colour. Style it 90s, over a blue striped shirt with straight-leg jeans, or sling it over your shoulders for a statement pop when summer hits.
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For more:
• Men’s spring wardrobe updates for £100
• How to look after your knitwear
• How to buy secondhand clothes online that you’ll actually wear
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