If you had to assign a moodboard to a quarter zip, it would look suspiciously like Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha post-breakup. A little lost. A little sad. A little “I could fix him, but should I?” For years, the quarter zip was the patron saint of quiet despair, worn mostly by men who looked like they were perpetually one Excel crash away from tears. And yet here we are in 2025, watching the same silhouette claw its way back into relevance.
Part of the revival feels almost inevitable. After all, we live in a world where New Balance went from dad shoe to daddy shoe and where Crocs somehow made the jump from insult to global phenomenon. The quarter zip is simply the next formerly embarrassing thing to rebrand itself as essential. Or, in simpler terms, it has become the unofficial t-shirt of finance bros who believe “shareholder value” is a personality trait and who would absolutely sleep in their suits if wrinkles weren’t a thing.
A Brief History Of A Surprisingly Enduring Zip
Believe it or not, the quarter zip isn’t some modern invention cooked up by menswear strategists. It dates back to the 1930s, when the humble zipper became a thing, and sportswear latched onto it immediately. Athletes needed something they could yank open or shut without turning purple. In the seventies, the zip migrated to knitwear and became the weekend uniform of men who liked comfort but still wanted to appear like they had plans.
Streetwear kept the quarter zip alive through the wilderness years, partly thanks to Fran Ocean’s 2019 Met Gala look.
The Celebrity Catalyst
Of course, no trend makes it to the masses without one crucial ingredient: celebrities doing normal things in expensive clothes. Enter Beckham, calmly flipping pancakes in a £1400 Loro Piana baby cashmere quarter zip in his Netflix documentary.
And then there’s the statesmen. Prince Harry and Rishi Sunak both lean heavily on quarter zips to survive their public duties. It is the perfect middle ground. Formal without aggression. Polished without prickliness. A quarter zip cuts the edge off shirt-and-tie dressing and makes men look approachable, which, frankly, many of them need.
Upgrade it to wool or cashmere, and suddenly you’re giving Succession energy. You might not be a Roy, but for a second, you look like you could be.
Why Men Keep Reaching For It
The magic of the quarter zip is simple. It makes you look like an adult without punishing you for it. A shirt demands effort. A hoodie screams, “I gave up”. The quarter zip sits right in the sweet spot, quietly stylish with zero friction.
In the office, it feels appropriate. On a date, it suggests you tried just enough. And the temperature control is unbeatable. Too warm? Unzip. Too cold? Zip. No drama, no crisis, no sweat patch danger.
Most importantly, it taps into a truth men rarely confess. Everyone wants to look put together without suffering for it. The quarter zip is essentially the cheat code.
India’s Blink-And-Miss Winter
The timing couldn’t be better. India’s winter season is a limited edition drop, here briefly, gone too soon. This is the only moment where layering makes sense without inviting heatstroke. The quarter zip becomes the perfect companion. Warm but breathable. Smart but effortless. Something you can wear to a night drive, a rooftop dinner or a freezing office.
Where It’s All Going
Menswear always circles back to comfort. Trends shift, silhouettes evolve, but the desire to feel good never goes away. The quarter zip slots perfectly into this new era of ease. It works for the finance bro pretending he hates fashion. It works for the streetwear kid pretending he doesn’t care. It works for anyone who has ever glared at a shirt in the morning and thought, “Nope.”
So yes, the quarter zip is officially back. Not as a joke. Not sarcastically. Not as nostalgia theatre. It’s back because it actually works. Buy one now. Wear it everywhere. And if you happen to flip pancakes in it, congratulations, you’ve understood the assignment.
Louis Vuitton Cable-Knit Half Zip
Price: ₹2.83 lakh
If Shiv Roy ever needed a quarter zip for “relaxing at the villa”, it would be this one. A chunky black cable-knit with a white collar, gold LV Airways brooch and pearly hardware that quietly screams generational wealth. Warm enough for winter, rich enough for judgement.
Dior CD Icon Half-Zip Sweatshirt
Price: ₹1.68 lakh
Dior takes the humble half-zip and gives it the Paris treatment. Soft grey fleece, debossed CD Icon logo and a roomy, modern cut that looks best with jeans that cost more than your flight ticket. It’s minimal, luxe and very Dior in that “don’t talk to me at the airport lounge” way.
Ralph Lauren Wool Piqué Quarter Zip
Price: ₹1.19 lakh
This is for the man who wants his quarter zip to say “old money” without actually needing old money. Wool, structured, clean, and very Ralph Lauren. Wear it with chinos if you’re behaving, joggers if you’re not. Either way, you’ll look like the guy who always gets upgraded.
Canali Regular Fit Half Zip
Price: ₹60,000
The Italian answer to “I want to look well-groomed without trying”. Subtle ribbing, soft fabrication and a cut that flatters without clinging to your sins. Understated luxury for people who enjoy looking expensive but not loud.
Karl Lagerfeld Half-Zip Leather Label Sweater
Price: ₹41,750
A sleek black half-zip with the kind of minimal leather branding Lagerfeld would approve of. Cotton-wool blend, sharp fit, and ideal for the guy who wants to look modern without shouting about it. Pair with tapered trousers and the confidence of someone who pretends not to check prices.
Calvin Klein Tech Knit Quarter Zip
Price: ₹23,036
A quarter zip for the functional minimalist. Moisture-wicking, stretchy, clean lines and a relaxed fit that works whether you’re commuting or pretending to jog. Basically the uniform of men who love simple clothes but secretly love techwear videos on YouTube.
Brooks Brothers Supima Piqué Half Zip
Price: ₹16,000
Supima cotton, soft as guilt-free brunch, and perfect for layering without overheating. It’s reliable, timeless and the kind of sweater your dad will try to steal the moment he sees it. Consider this your seasonless workhorse.
Zara Basic Quarter Zip
Price: ₹3,550
If you’re quarter-zip curious and not ready to take out a loan, start here. A clean high-neck silhouette, ribbed trims and enough versatility to survive everything from office AC to December dinners. Proof that you don’t need a trust fund to look put together.
XYXX Half-Zip Pullover
Price: ₹2,199
The half zip that actually gets it. Light melange cotton, easy to wear, and polished enough to pass for effort.
