The 10 Best Quarter-Zip Sweaters for Layering With Ease
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Quarter-zip sweaters are having a moment. Maybe it has something to do with shows like Succession and Industry making office-appropriate pullovers look sexy. Maybe it’s a symbol of the post-pandemic era in which we find ourselves: partially back in the office, partially clinging to the comfy layers that we’ve lived for the last few years. Whatever the reason, the best quarter-zip sweaters offer a lot. They’re just like your favorite knit, but feature, well, a zipper between the collar and mid-chest to control temperatures. Note: Some brands label the style as “half-zip,” but the gist remains the same.
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Personally, I have long relied on quarter-zips for their versatility: Zip it up when things get chilly, zip it down when you need to cool off. Over a button-down with a tie and khakis for work functions or over a T-shirt with jeans, they’re a foolproof way to finesse any outfit with very little effort.
Their variety is unmatched, too. Options in merino wool or cashmere have an air of formality to them, and can function in lieu of a jacket on cooler nights. They also come in a variety of performance materials for activities such as golf or skiing. If you’re looking to give or receive the best quarter-zip sweaters this season, here’s a great place to start.
What to Consider Before Buying Quarter-Zip Sweaters:
Style: As with any sort of sweater, styles of quarter-zips range from mild to wild. It’s important to consider where and how you plan on wearing the garment. Do you need something straightforward and sleek that can be worn regularly to the office? Or are you willing to go for something with a bit more of a design quotient, such as cable knits or bold colors that are more on the casual end of the spectrum?
Material: Material is everything. Finger-gauge knits, merino, or cashmere have an inherently sleek and sophisticated look to them, and are a great choice for wearing to work. Just be careful of quarter-zip sweaters made from performance materials—read: Something made of a moisture-wicking poly-blend that works great on the golf course doesn’t mean it’s going to look professional at the workplace.
Fit: Rule of thumb when it comes to any sort of sweater: It should be loose enough to be layered over a button-down, but snug enough that it doesn’t hang off the body in an unflattering way. Yes, it’s really that simple!
BEST OVERALL QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
Ralph Lauren Luxury Jersey Quarter-Zip Sweater
Top honors go to this iconic Ralph Lauren style, made from a cotton jersey blended with viscose and nylon with added softness and durability. Even after many cycles through the washing machine, this one retains its smoothness, making it a reliable piece to wear to the office for years to come. They say that if you like something, you should buy it in multiple colors—and it isn’t a coincidence that this best-seller is currently offered in no fewer than 10.
Material: Cotton, viscose, and nylon.
Fit: Regular.
Colors Available: 10.
BEST RETRO-INSPIRED QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
Todd Snyder Striped Velour Quarter-Zip Sweater
Proving that the quarter-zip sweater has a life outside of the workplace, this decidedly off-duty style with a retro flair is perfect for weekends spent at your leisure. It’s made from fine, medium-weight Portuguese velour for a luxurious and plush feel.
Material: Cotton and polyester.
Fit: Regular.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST WRINKLE-RESISTANT QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
Mack Weldon Atlas Quarter-Zip Sweater
Throw it in a bag, crumple it, leave it rolled up in a ball in your car—then bring it back to life with a quick snap! This quarter-zip sweater from the athleticwear masters at Mack Weldon is water- and wrinkle-resistant with just a hint of stretch, so it always looks crisp and clean.
Material: Recycled polyester, rayon, and spandex.
Fit: Regular.
Colors Available: 3.
BEST LUXURY QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
Tom Ford Suede-Trimmed Wool-Blend Half-Zip Sweater
Mr. Ford understands that luxury is all about the details, and this sweater has them in spades. The wool-blend used here was chosen especially for its quality, with just a hint of cashmere for softness and polyamide for durability. The length is just right, the sleeves have just enough volume, and the zip itself is trimmed with suede.
Material: Wool, cashmere, and polyamide with suede trim.
Fit: Regular.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER FOR SKIING
Moncler Grenoble Quarter-Zip Sweater
Here is a perfect example of a purpose-built quarter-zip sweater. The stand collar, tricolor detail, thumb holes, and slim fit make it a brilliant insulation layer to be worn under a jacket on the ski slopes. Read: It isn’t the sort of sweater you would wear over a shirt and tie to the office. Just looking at it, you can almost imagine yourself carving turns in Gstaad.
Material: Polyester and elastane.
Fit: Slim.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST CABLE-KNIT QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
N. Peale Cable Half-Zip Cashmere Sweater
Nobody does elegant knits like N. Peale, and this cable-knit quarter-zip hits the mark. It’s made from a fine Mongolian cashmere that’s lightweight yet incredibly warm, and it’s cut slim to hug the body in the right places. What’s more, it’s made from organic dyes and detergents, so you can feel as good as you look.
Material: Cashmere.
Fit: Slim.
Colors Available: 4.
BEST QUARTER-ZIP VEST
Peter Millar Stealth Performance Quarter-Zip Vest
Introducing the perfect non-layer layer for when you need just a hint of insulation. This quarter-zip vest is designed to be a performance piece—with moisture-wicking and anti-odor properties—making it a solid option to wear on the golf course. But it’s also the kind of piece you could reasonably layer for casual Fridays at work.
Material: Polyester and spandex.
Fit: Tailored.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST CASHMERE QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
Loro Piana Fancy Cashmere Half-Zip Sweater
Nobody does cashmere like Loro Piana. The heft, the gauge, the handfeel—every aspect of this sweater is sublime, and this quarter-zip is no exception. It’s lightweight, making it a perfect piece for layering in both casual and professional environments.
Material: Cashmere.
Fit: Regular.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST TEXTURED QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
Mr P. Ribbed Merino Wool Half-Zip Sweater
If you’re still swooning over Chris Evans’s fisherman knit sweater from Knives Out, allow us to introduce another textured sweater to fawn over: this ribbed merino number. It simply oozes texture. A layering piece? Probably not. But the perfect sweater to live in for your weekends and casual Fridays? Absolutely.
Material: Merino wool.
Fit: Regular.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST PERFORMANCE QUARTER-ZIP SWEATER
Brooks Brothers Golf Performance Half-Zip Sweater
If anyone can do a quarter-zip for the golf course, it’s Brooks Brothers. This one is made from a performance polyester material that keeps you warm when you need insulation and cool when you don’t. It also features a hint of spandex so that it retains its shape and smoothness all day long. And if all that isn’t enough, it’s coated with a moisture-wicking finish, which will keep you dry on even the longest fairways.
Material: Polyester and spandex.
Fit: Regular.
Colors Available: 1.
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