The quarter-zip is the jumper of the season
Once the uniform of golfers and finance bros, the quarter-zip jumper is having an unlikely renaissance. GQ named zip-up sweaters one of the season's key pieces; the founding TikTok of the "quarter-zip movement" passed 29 million views; and UK retailers report searches for quarter-zips up several hundred percent on last year. The garment hasn't changed much — how men wear it has.
This guide covers how to wear a quarter-zip jumper well: fit, styling, and the mistakes that make it look like office uniform instead of an outfit.
Get the fit right first
A quarter-zip should sit clean through the shoulders with the collar standing neatly when zipped. Too tight and the zip strains; too loose and the collar collapses. Our pieces are cut in a regular fit — clean through the shoulders, with room to move. If you're between sizes, size up for a relaxed fit or stay true to size for a sharper look. Check the size guide for exact chest measurements.
Five ways to wear it
1. Over a plain T-shirt (the 2026 way)
The styling shift that revived the quarter-zip: wearing it zipped over a simple crew-neck tee instead of a shirt and tie. Try it with straight-leg jeans or chinos. This is the easiest entry point and works for weekends, casual offices, and travel.
2. Open over an Oxford shirt
Leave the zip open over a button-down collar for smart-casual that doesn't try too hard. Works for dinners, dates, and dress-down Fridays. Keep the shirt collar neat inside the knit collar.
3. Under an overcoat
A quarter-zip layers cleanly under a wool overcoat or puffer — the stand collar fills the neckline where a scarf would sit. Ideal for a British winter commute.
4. With relaxed tailoring
Pair a textured knit — like our Highbury Nordic quarter-zip — with tailored trousers and loafers. The texture does the talking; keep everything else simple.
5. Off-duty with joggers
A slim quarter-zip with tapered joggers and clean trainers is the grown-up version of athleisure. Avoid gym joggers — cut matters.
Cable knit vs plain: which to choose?
Plain quarter-zips are versatile but can read flat. A cable-knit or textured body — like the Highbury's Nordic jacquard chest band with cable-knit lower body — adds visual interest without patterns that date. If you buy one quarter-zip this year, make it textured.
Three mistakes to avoid
- Wearing it with a tie. That's the pairing that gave the quarter-zip its dated reputation. The zip replaces the tie — never wear both.
- Wrong layering order. The quarter-zip goes over shirts and tees, under coats and jackets. Never under another jumper.
- Ignoring the collar. A limp collar ruins the look. Ribbed stand collars with a metal zip hold their shape — check before you buy.