XIV: TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

 The “Quarter-Zip” Movement Is More Than Just a Sweater

What began as a playful viral video has quickly evolved into a full-blown social-media movement centering the quarter-zip. A quarter-zip is a pullover sweater with a zipper that goes only a quarter of the way down from the collar. It has been associated with preppy fashion, corporate wear, or middle-class casual attire in the past.

In November 2025, TikTok user Jason Gyamfi (known online as @whois.jason) posted a short video proclaiming himself a “quarter-zip dude,” rejecting the street-wear staple Nike Tech sweatsuits long popular among his peers. The post — captioned “We don’t do Nike Techs and coffee no more — it’s straight quarter zips and matchas around here” — went viral, inspiring thousands of imitations.

@whois.jason @Richdafifth life different when u gotta quarter zip #matcha #quarterzip #performative #niketech ♬ original sound - Jason Gyamfi

Young men, especially Black and Latino Gen Z demographics, began trading athletic sweats and hoodies for a more polished aesthetic. The quarter-zip has become an emblem of a fashion glow-up and the comeback of professionalism in fashion.

The quarter zip trend isn’t without critics. Some argue it leans into respectability politics, suggesting that embracing a more preppy look may reflect pressure to conform to mainstream ideals of success and polish. Others call it performative, saying that clothes don't equate to real progress.

As the movement continues to spread, the humble quarter-zip sweater may well define more than just a fashion season — it could mark a shift in how young men present themselves, online and off.

Sources: NBC News Interview