Loafers, a book in one hand, and a matcha latte in the other, along with the most important piece of this fit: the quarter zip!
Over the past few weeks online, there has been a rise in men wearing a quarter zip. Men on various social media platforms, in an effort to abandon old Nike Tech outfits, which were considered streetwear, have started wearing something more professional. Instead of the sudden popularity of this trend, where exactly did it come from?
We’ve seen trends rise before they make grand headlines and shift cultural spheres, promoting the product to great lengths before millions decide to make a purchase. There was the massive Stanley Cup trend from last year, where thousands of teenagers on TikTok’s #watertok promoted the cup. It became a popular product on the platform, prompting children, teens, and adults to scour through their local stores in hopes of acquiring one.
As of early November, this new trend is centered around young black men embracing a professional and mature expression. The quarter zip represents the shift from wearing streetwear-centered outfits — which were predominantly seen as a representation of the Black community — to an “improved lifestyle, and set of values,” according to Amrita Das of PRIMETIMER. Younger people online have bonded by posting TikToks of themselves abandoning their old ways to achieve what they deem as a better future. While some poke fun at the performative nature of this trend, such as the addition of matcha and feminist literature to an outfit, there is a consensus online that the quarter zip movement is more than just being a performative man.
“This is elegant,” Jason Gyamfi says in the video. “Get you a quarter zip, forget the Nike Techs.”
Another video showcases a man who switches out of his Nike Techs for a quarter zip outfit, showing his transformation and adding accessories to elevate his presentable attire.
According to AOL, the adoption of the quarter zip trend reveals how young black men yearn for a more stable and established future for themselves. While wearing a quarter zip, men find confidence to aim for success, whether by eating right or making more meaningful connections with peers. One creator interviewed by Daily Dot expressed that the outfit “works with everything, and stays practical in any season,” adding that it wasn’t just a trend to him, but a lifestyle.
“[It] stays practical in any season.”
Charles (@charlie.dior1 on TikTok) in an email to Daily Dot
The roots of this trend emerge from the concept of being a YG, “Young Gentleman”, a phenomenon in which Gen Z pushes to receive an education and adopt politeness. One creator highlighted on Yahoo Life said that young gentlemen “send thank you notes” to emphasize their appreciation, as well as “reading a book.” This isn’t necessarily a new concept, as the trend ultimately reinforces Black Dandyism, which was showcased earlier this year at the MET Gala through the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
As Gen Z grows into adults, this trend of professionalism can reflect on the daunting workforce and unemployment statistics. With the current political climate, many teenagers are pushed into maturity much faster than they would like. Yet, for a small moment of time, it seems that there is unity among young men, urging for a better, more mature way to navigate adulthood.