Quarter-zips have taken young men around the world, and at Owatonna High School, by storm. The new fashion trend began in late 2025 with a viral video by Jason Gyamfi, where he encourages being “presentable” and improving one’s lifestyle. Gyamfi has been the face of this new trend, coined “the Quarter-Zip Movement”. The movement became widespread because it’s different from any other previous male fashion trends.
What is the Quarter-Zip Movement?
The Quarter-Zip Movement embodies improvement and being classy in young men. Some wear the attire just for comfort, while others are taking this trend and turning it into a life-changing revamp of their life.
Why quarter-zips?
There is no definitive reason why it was quarter-zips that rose to fame amongst all formal wear, such as turtlenecks or polo shirts, but there are many potential reasons.
Quarter-zips are a great option for any environment, being formal and also comfortable. They don’t just look good, they make the wearer feel good too. As small and unimportant as it may seem, wearing a quarter-zip can shift someone’s
mentality to a self-respecting and positive mindset, as seen in many different posts from men around the world. Sophomore Colby Hanson voiced why he likes to wear quarter-zips. Hanson said, “It makes me feel like a gentleman.” This demonstrates how the Quarter-Zip Movement is giving confidence to young men while also making them more respectful.
Quarter-zips can also be a physical reminder to have a more refreshed perspective. In the viral video by Gyamfi, he says, “Let’s steer away from Nike Techs.” Since then, Nike Techs, which are popular sweatshirts and sweatpants, have been seen as the opposite of quarter-zips; unprofessional and childish. Quarter-zips, on the other hand, are seen as classy and elegant. They are commonly combined with matcha tea, a watch, glasses and other formal attire. The movement is also associated with getting into the gym and making improvements in terms of physical health.
Effects of quarter-zips
It’s nice to see a fashion trend that goes deeper than just fashion. The Quarter-Zip Movement has helped young men to see themselves differently and better themselves in comparison to other popular trends in the past, which have been harmful. Trends such as the Tide Pod Challenge or the Blackout Challenge have been extremely damaging to children around the world, both resulting in serious self-harm and death. On the contrary, when kids and teenagers see these beneficial trends, such as the Quarter-Zip Movement, it encourages growth and positivity. Moving forward, keep popularizing these trends, which not only benefit the person doing it but also society.
