Many would argue that the Autumn season is when menswear is allowed to reach its full style potential. The crisp, cool weather lends itself to layering and accessorizing in ways the summer heat simply does not permit. Casual day-to-day attire especially takes the spotlight in the fall. The polos, shorts, and khakis are exchanged for every shape of jacket, boots, and, of course sweaters.
There is no style of sweater more obscenely common than the quarter-zip. Every pub, park, and Thanksgiving get-together is a sea of these partially-unzipped monstrosities. It is a mystery on how this strange style of sweater has maintained popularity. The only feasible origin of its prominence is the finance-bro chic style that was born in the 2010s and still pollutes the menswear ecosystem to this day. As good rule of thumb, it's unwise to take inspiration from an aesthetic whose whole mantra is to look as average and unassuming as possible. The quarter zip is an icon of "eh, it was on sale" or "my wife/girlfriend picked it out for me."
This is one of the few sweaters whose style has no flattering way to wear it.
-If the zipper is left unzipped, you have this unsightly row of zipper teeth exposed around your neck and chest, framing what looks like a bizarre hood around the center chest. There's no such thing as an exposed/open zipper that looks good. Not on your pants and certainly not around your neck.
-If you wear it fully zipped up, not only do you look like you're wearing a half-assed turtleneck, but you have completely concealed the shirt/neckwear you'd typically be wearing underneath. Unless you are going on an arctic expedition or climbing Everest, a zipper going from underneath your chin down to your chest is just profane.
Unfortunately, this news may have caused a few quarter-zip enthusiasts to spit out their hard seltzer. But, hope for a good, easy going sweater look is far from lost. There is a wide range of sweater styles to replace those quarter zips, which will still allow you to layer your shirt underneath without looking like your wife sets what time you have to be back from Applebee's.
1- Shawl Collar
With a similar opening style and shirt collar/tie visibility, the shawl is the learned big brother of the quarter zip. The rolled layer of fabric not only flatters the neck/shoulders, but creates an effortless, classically warm, energetic style harkening back to its time as sportswear and workwear in the 1900s.
2- V-neck sweater
It really doesn't get more simple than this. The V-shaped opening perfectly frames that collared shirt. If you're not wearing and neckwear with it, pop those collar points over the sweater for an added bit of easy layering! Since they are usually a bit lighter than others, V-necks make for great middle layers too, paired with a sport coat or country jacket for an extra bit of style.
3- Crew neck sweater
This one is definitely for the prep style enthusiast. Similar to the V-neck, the crew conceals the collared shirt a bit more, creeping up around the ends of the collar for a slightly more subtle, but effortlessly thrown-together look.
4- Sweater vest
You heard that right. Embrace the '50s dad energy of the sweater vest! While it is an iconic layering piece, it can stand on its own without a jacket if styled right. Pair it with a good tie, roll up those sleeves to the forearms, and you have yourself a timeless look.
5- Cardigan
Easily my favorite sweater choice, the cardigan is a loyal and always at-the ready tool in a man's fashion armory. From Mr. Rogers to Daniel Plainview, the cardigan (especially with a shawl collar) has this seasoned, thrown-together effortlessness about it. It quietly demands comfort and relaxation.
6- High-Collar Button Up.
If you really, REALLY need the offensively inoffensive silhouette of a short, raised collar, go with a button-up version. High-collar, or "quarter button" sweaters offer the style-saving upgrade from an unsightly zipper to a neat row of buttons. Not only will the buttons and loops long outlive that goofy little zipper, but it will provides a more elegant, tasteful energy.
While, according to the current laws, it's not illegal to wear a quarter zip sweater, it certainly hits all the tenants and intentions of public indecency. There are countless ways to upgrade your fall/winter casual game, and the first big step is ditching those damn zipper atrocities for something with some personality.
(BTW this all applies to those damn finance-bro zipper vests too, but I'm saving that for another time)