Professional men are still obsessed with the quarter-zip. Here's why.
For male millennial and Gen Z shoppers, the quarter-zip has become essential.
Thien-An Truong/Getty Images We all know about the quarter-zip, but it just won't die.
Apparently, there are reasons millennial and Gen Zers have embraced it as a workwear staple.
Brands like Brooks Brothers and Peter Millar told Business Insider why it appeals to young buyers.
As a young(ish) millennial whose style of dress has been described as ranging from hedge fund intern to European literature Ph.D. candidate, I like to see what my male peers are wearing.
If one enduring trend has struck me recently, it's the quarter-zip.
In fact, when Brooks Brothers — which sells tops in cotton, cashmere, and performance materials — unveiled its Spring/Summer 2027 collection last Thursday at Radio Park in Rockefeller Center, a baby-blue quarter-zip was among its latest offering.
"It used to be you would wear a suit and tie to go to work, now…there's no one definition of how to go to work," Brooks Brothers creative director Michael Bastian told Business Insider, adding that the younger generations are drawn to the heritage brand because "there's a certain reliability there." Google Trends shows that searches for "men's quarter zip" have risen by more than 300% over the past five years, predictably spiking in the fall each year.
A quick look at last year's social media trends showed that TikTok personality Jason Gyamfi, who shared a video of himself touting it, is partly responsible for the spike.
And in 2026, the numbers rose dramatically again, outpacing last year's spike.
After speaking with fashion pros, I understood why men like me are still flocking to the garment: It allows men to look competent in today's corporate world while making as little effort as possible.
And Brooks Brothers isn't the only brand continuing to lean in.
Lyst data shows that Ralph Lauren dominates the searches for men's quarter-zips, though Alo Yoga is catching up.
Even Adidas has a $220 quarter zip sweatshirt.
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