Stop Wearing Sweatshirts to Work. Try These Quarter Zip Sweaters Instead (2024)

Preppy Americana is very much J.Crew’s thing, making quarter zip sweaters an essential part of the brand’s lineup. Few labels offer more variety in the sporty knit, with multiple wool designs available, as well as cashmere. For all around functionality, the cotton knit Heritage Half-Zip is the best option right now. The ribbed cuffs and neck add a little texture to the look. A leather pull tab on the zipper is a nice detail. Best of all, its cotton is machine washable, which makes maintenance easy.

After a few weeks of field testing, we found that this quarter zip sweater is the perfect replacement for the default hoodie and crewneck sweatshirt that we always find ourselves reaching for. The cotton knit is actually a bit softer than the jersey you find in most sweatshirts. It is just as easy to wear and style, but provides a more elevated look.

Not all cashmere is created equal. Sunspel is a brand that you can trust to use top of the line cashmere, every time. In this case, it goes into one of the most luxurious quarter zip sweaters we’ve ever worn. The cashmere is sourced from Mongolian shepherds, then spun in Scotland at one of the oldest textile mills in the world. All knitting and garment production is also done in Scotland, which reduces the carbon footprint. It feels like wrapping your upper body in the coziest blanket imaginable.

Beyond feeling amazing, we love this quarter zip sweater because it has a sleek and sophisticated appearance. The design is simple, with a hidden zipper, and the fit is slim without being tight. It can elevate a dark pair of jeans and loafers to semi-formal status. Style it with a pair of wool dress pants and oxford shoes for a modern office look.

Merino wool is probably the best fabric for a business casual quarter zip sweater. The finer grade sheep hair is softer and lighter than standard wool. It also has a unique luster that looks a little more refined than other textiles. All of these characteristics are on full display with the Blackhall quarter zip sweater by Reiss. The fit is slim, with a relatively short neck, a smooth shoulder, and subtle cuffs and waistband.

It may be a minor detail, but our style editors really appreciated the seam stitching detail on this sweater. Most sweaters have very clear seams on the shoulder, collar, and waist, which are often used as decorative details. Reiss stitched this sweater together so discreetly that you can barely notice the seams. The effect is a streamlined silhouette that is perfect for an office or formal setting.

Faherty designed the Sweater Fleece Quarter Zip to double as both a casual sweater, and lightweight outerwear. A cozy fleece interior feels great with just a T-shirt underneath. It also layers really well over a flannel shirt. The cotton, polyester, and viscose blend is insulating and wind resistant for brisk days. There is also a bit of elastane woven into the fabric for extra stretch. When things really get chilly, there are two zip-up hand pockets built into the bottom.

We picked this sweater to test out as a casual shirt and light outerwear, but it turned out to be really good loungewear too. The fabric is so warm and cozy that it's easy to just throw on when you are hanging out at home. On chilly nights, you can zip up the neck and stick your hands in the pockets to really snuggle down.

Athletic clothing has come a long way since the quarter zip sweater was invented. Alo makes a modern athletic version that is fit for the gym, training outdoors, or yoga studio. The poly-spandex fabric is stretchy, breathable, and moisture-wicking. A suede finish makes this quarter zip extra soft to the touch and reduces friction on the move. It has a snug fit that is comfortable, thanks to all that stretch.

Even though this quarter zip sweater has full athletic performance, the monotone look, with only a small Alo logo on the sleeve, is suitable for casual office attire. After trying it on with a few different outfits, we found that it fits in well with every level of formality from gym clothes to chinos and dress shoes. The black color can even pull off a formal(ish) look with dark dress pants and leather shoes.

Polo was a major force behind establishing the quarter zip sweater as a menswear staple. Starting in the '80s with terry cotton, the heritage retailer has put out countless interpretations of this design. Browse through the company's website and you'll find almost a dozen options at this moment. One of the most intriguing styles is the Cable-Knit Cotton Sweater. It blends the quarter zip with another Ralph Lauren classic, the simple cable knit sweater—with an alternating vertical twist and bar pattern.

Most quarter zip sweaters are low key, and that is often the point. What we love about this design is that it actually stands out as the type of top that can carry an outfit. At the same time, it also blends well with layering items like a flannel shirt or chambray. The cable knit pattern is decorative but plays well with other textures.

Quarter zip sweaters and rugby shirts share very similar histories. Both started as athletic apparel at universities and prep schools before transitioning into popular fashion. Brooks Brothers pays homage to this shared heritage by blending the two shirts in a merino wool quarter zip sweater decorated with a rugby stripe pattern. The cut is a little loose, but not baggy, and there is ribbing on the cuffs, collar and waist.

Our style editors found that this shirt can be styled like a quarter zip sweater or a rugby shirt. As a sweater, it adds a bit of color and texture to simple business casual outfits. To style it like a rugby shirt, start with a pair of straight leg chinos and add an oxford shirt underneath. Complete the look with some boat shoes or moccasins for some vintage Ivy style.

Most quarter zip sweaters are light enough to span multiple seasons and a wide range of weather. However, Arc'teryx built the Cover 1/2 Zip strictly to handle cold temperatures. When the depths of winter roll around, this is a shirt that you are going to want in your closet.

The thick Alpenex II fleece is made from 100% recycled polyester. It is super soft on the inside, but water and wind resistant on the outside. The high zip neck, cuffs, and waist all have snug elastic bands that help lock in body heat when you’re all zipped up.

Like most Ar’teryx gear, this quarter zip sweater is tough enough to handle climbing a mountain. While our testing did not take it that far, we found that it was exceptional for cold morning commutes and cozy nights at home. This sweater definitely doubles as both outerwear and loungewear.

Quarter zip sweaters have become standard issue for business casual office attire. When rocking this look, it is best to stick to simpler designs with solid colors and sleek silhouettes. Peter Millar makes a textbook example with the Autumn Crest Quarter Zip. The fit is slim and the fabric is thin, making for a clean, refined look. Ribbing on the neck, cuffs, and waist is subtle.

It works equally well with a collared shirt underneath or a plain white t-shirt. As a little styling tip, if you are going to wear a t-shirt underneath a quarter zip sweater for work, stick with a crisp white to mimic the color scheme of a plain white dress shirt.

Beyond checking all the boxes for a business casual quarter zip, we love how comfortable the fabric of this sweater is. Peter Millar uses a merino wool blended lyocell that softens up feel and adds a bit of stretch. On top of that, there are currently ten color options, with updates coming out each season.

Any cashmere is better than no cashmere. There may only be 5% cashmere in this cotton blend quarter zip sweater, but it is enough to make a difference. You can feel the added softness in the fabric and the look has a wooly texture. Plus, the fabric breaths much better than blend with higher cashmere content. Which is great for extended wear, like during a long day at the office. Best of all, the fabric blend makes this sweater machine washable.

Bonobos has a talent for blending casual attire with suiting, and this sweater is a prime example. The clean look and slim fit can dress up with formalwear, but the soft cotton fabric is comfortable enough for dressing down. This is a perfect quarter zip sweater for leaning towards dressy in a relaxed office environment with a loose dress code.

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