Black creatives are setting the quarter-zip style trend

Here’s Loni Love out in LA the other night and the first thing I noticed about these photos was… of course… the quarter-zip, LOL. If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, especially TikTok, I’m sure you’ve heard about the quarter-zip movement.

I’m actually surprised I know about it because it’s a young person thing, only started less than a month ago, when this video went viral.

@whois.jason
Simple as that. #quarterzip #perfomative #niketech #grownman
♬ original sound - Jason Gyamfi

For me, though, it’s been more recent. The original wasn’t the first one I watched. Instead, my friend Tyrone Edwards, who is very stylish and also golfs, sent me these two videos because this is basically him, although he’s not a matcha drinker but he walks around, jokingly, asking for his matcha now. Because he’s often in a quarter-zip.

As usual, it’s Black creatives who are setting the style trend. This time, hopefully, they are being credited for it. The New York Times published a piece about the quarter-zip takeover and how the “stodgiest” piece of clothing became suddenly so coveted by men.

Women, though, have been all over the quarter-zip for a while. There’s always a quarter-zip option at the popular athleisure brands – Alo, Lululemon, Athleta, I’m sure you can see it. Almost everyone has a quarter-zip in their closet, that they bought themselves or that they received as a gift or in a gift bag, from university or whatever organisation/corporation they might be affiliated with.

I don’t wear a lot of quarter-zip but when I do, I have rules. So many of the quarter-zips for women they’ve been releasing the last few years are snatch-waisted. That’s always going to be a pass for me. I do like my quarter-zips cropped here and there, but they have to be boxy or slouchy. And… like… a little different from what you see when all the girls are leaving the gym? For some reason Gen Z loves looking like they all go to the same school, I don’t get it. I prefer my quarter-zips with a little more personality, especially since it’s not exactly the most dynamic item.

For example, here's one I just wore for a shoot yesterday, the Lizzy Alaska, because it has a dog on the back! And it’s on sale. There are a lot of them on sale right now. Speaking of dogs, this is the one I wear often when I’m walking my dogs. I got it for regular price but The North Face has it discounted – the Women’s Yumiori.

If you like that colourway, Roots has a quarter-zip in off-white and mushroom that’s also varsity coded. And if you’re down with that sporty vibe, Kotn, a great Canadian clothing brand, has a rugby quarter-zip.

Quarter-zips are also an apres-ski staple, and this merino wool sweater from Everlane is pretty versatile and I really like this shade, heather taupe.

For me, though, Aritzia has the best quarter-zips right now. The heritage knit merino wool quarter-zip is f-cking gorgeous and it looks expensive and is currently on sale.

But this is the one I have in my cart for a work trip I’m going on next week. It’s perfect for the plane – the PolarTec thermal comes in three limited edition shades of pink but for me, the standout is the grey with green trim. Plus, I happen to be a matcha girl.

Please note, the above are affiliate links. Shop away!

What else happened today…

Let us be thankful that our Queen of All Feelings, Celine Dion, updated us on how she’s doing! (EW)

I just posted an essay today at The Squawk about press tour fashion in the 90s and 2000s and an actress who, in my opinion, does not get enough credit for being the godmother of the promotional wardrobes we know and expect today when the stars go on tour for their movies. (The Squawk)

If you haven’t already, watch Seth Meyers with his kids on his show for his family special. They are chaos and delight and the look on his face while he’s being entertained by them is all warm and fuzzies. (Vulture)

“Confessions of a Teenage Twihard” is a beautiful piece by Autumn Fourkiller and it’s not really about what you think it’s about. (Auto Straddle)

There was a fire in an apartment complex in Hong Kong this week and it has devastated the community. I can’t talk about it because it’s too close, I have family and friends… but what’s been encouraging is the support from K-pop and East Asian artists who’ve been making donations, especially since so many of them performed at the MAMA Awards in HK tonight. (Soompi)