A quarter zip works over a plain tee for the weekend, over a collared shirt for the office, and with jeans, chinos or wool trousers. Wear the zip down a few inches with a tee, and down far enough to show the shirt collar over a shirt. Navy, grey, oatmeal and forest green are the easiest colours, because they go with most trousers. The rules are the same for men and women: keep the fit close but not tight, and let it end at the hip.
A quarter zip is easy to buy and harder to work into what you already own. The app we make, Wdrobe, can pin it and suggest outfits from your own wardrobe for the day's weather.
What a quarter zip is (and a half zip)
A quarter zip is a pullover with a short zip at the neck, usually with a stand-up collar. A half zip has a longer zip that reaches the middle of the chest. You style them the same way. Most are knitted (merino, cotton or cashmere), and some are fleece or sweatshirt fabric, which look more casual.
Choose knitted for work and evenings, and fleece or sweatshirt fabric for walks and weekends.
How to style a quarter zip
Over a tee
The simplest outfit. A white or grey tee under the quarter zip, with the zip pulled down three or four inches so the tee shows at the neck.
Outfit formula: navy merino quarter zip + white crew-neck tee + mid-blue straight jeans + white leather trainers.
Over a collared shirt for the office
Pull the zip down far enough to fold the shirt collar out over the quarter zip collar, or tuck it neatly inside. An Oxford shirt in white or light blue works with any colour.
Outfit formula: grey merino quarter zip + light blue Oxford shirt + navy wool trousers + brown leather loafers.
Collar up or down?
Wear the collar up with the zip closed when it is cold and you want a neat, high neck. Fold it down with the zip open for an easy, relaxed look. Avoid a half-up collar that sits crooked; it looks like you forgot about it.
A quarter zip in a shop photo looks fine on its own. The real question is whether it works with the trousers and shirts you already own. Try it on your own photo first and see.
Quarter zip outfits for women
1. Quarter zip and a pleated skirt
A fitted cream quarter zip over a pleated midi skirt is a sporty-smart mix that works for the office and weekends.
Outfit formula: cream knitted quarter zip + camel pleated midi skirt + brown knee boots + gold stud earrings.
2. Oversized quarter zip and leggings
For walks, travel or errands, a relaxed quarter zip over black leggings or straight joggers looks finished with clean trainers.
Outfit formula: oversized grey quarter zip + black leggings + white trainers + navy baseball cap.
3. Quarter zip with wide-leg trousers
A slim quarter zip tucked loosely into high-waisted wide trousers keeps the shape neat.
Outfit formula: forest green quarter zip + cream wide-leg trousers + black loafers + small black shoulder bag.
Quarter zip outfits for men
4. The office quarter zip
A merino quarter zip over a shirt replaces a blazer on most business casual days.
Outfit formula: navy merino quarter zip + white Oxford shirt + grey wool trousers + dark brown Chelsea boots.
5. The weekend quarter zip
A cotton quarter zip with chinos and suede trainers is a reliable weekend outfit.
Outfit formula: oatmeal cotton quarter zip + olive chinos + white tee + tan suede trainers.
6. Quarter zip under a coat
A thin quarter zip under a wool overcoat or a waxed jacket keeps the neck warm without a scarf.
Outfit formula: charcoal quarter zip + dark indigo jeans + navy overcoat + brown leather boots.
Jeans or trousers with a quarter zip?
Both, depending on the fabric of the quarter zip.
- Jeans suit cotton and fleece quarter zips, and merino ones on weekends. Dark, straight jeans look smartest.
- Chinos are the middle ground and work with almost any quarter zip.
- Wool trousers suit a fine merino or cashmere quarter zip. This is the office version.
- Joggers and leggings suit only sweatshirt and fleece quarter zips.
Colours that work for a quarter zip
- Navy: goes with grey, khaki, denim and white. The easiest first choice.
- Grey: pairs with navy, black and blue. Choose heather grey for weekends and charcoal for work.
- Oatmeal and cream: soft and warm, good with olive, brown and denim.
- Forest green: a deep colour that still works with khaki, grey and denim.
- Burgundy: good with grey and navy trousers, a bit bolder.
Avoid matching the quarter zip exactly to the trousers in a pale colour. A full beige or full grey outfit in two slightly different shades looks like a failed match.
A quarter zip earns its place when you can wear it four ways. Most wardrobes have trousers for one or two of them. See which of your trousers it goes with before you settle on a colour.
Want outfits like these from clothes you already own? Wdrobe's AI stylist builds them from your wardrobe and shows each one on your photo.
Frequently asked questions
How to style a quarter zip female?
Wear a fitted quarter zip with a pleated midi skirt and boots, or tucked into wide-leg trousers with loafers. For a casual look, a relaxed quarter zip with leggings and trainers works.
Can you wear a quarter zip to work?
Yes, in most business casual offices. Choose a fine merino or cashmere one over a collared shirt, with wool trousers or chinos and leather shoes.
What do you wear under a quarter zip?
A plain tee for casual outfits and a collared shirt for work. In cold weather, a thin long-sleeve thermal top keeps you warm without bulk.
Is a half zip the same as a quarter zip?
Almost. A half zip has a longer zip that opens further down the chest. Both are styled the same way.
For colour ideas for men's outfits, see our men's outfit colour combinations. For another easy layer, see how to style a chunky knit and sweater vest outfits.
A quarter zip is the kind of piece that ends up worn the same way every time, over the same jeans. In Wdrobe you can pin it, and the stylist picks the trousers, shirt and shoes from your wardrobe for that day's weather, so the next outfit is a new one. Get four outfits out of your quarter zip.
