How to Style a Quarter Zip Sweater: Fashion for Short Men

For a long time, the quarter zip sweater was the standard for professional situations where comfort was as important as style. But in recent years, the quarter zip has gained traction in the casualwear space as well, becoming more prevalent in business casual settings — and for good reason. The pieces are comfortable, fashionable, and easy to style, making them a great go-to piece for every short men’s wardrobe.

So how should you style quarter zip sweaters for short men? First, when it comes to fitting a quarter zip, the length should fall just past the waist, and should fit comfortably around your hips without pulling or bunching, but close enough to not look like it’s swimming on you. The sleeves should end just before the wrist, and should be loose enough that they can easily be pushed up to the forearm without pulling.

Once you have the perfect fit, now it’s time to style it.

Men's Fashion: How to Style a Quarter Zip

The Casual Quarter Zip Sweater
The quarter zip sweater is a perfect layer piece for throwing on over a t-shirt and pairing with jeans for running out the door to do errands. It is comfortable, lightweight enough to not be hot or stifling, and adds an element of sophistication to your look without much effort. You can also toss a quarter zip over a polo shirt for a more business casual look that is a step up from the t-shirt, but can still be easily paired with jeans for a casual look.

The Professional Quarter Zip Sweater
There is a reason quarter zips are popular on college campuses — it is the perfect blend of casual comfort and professional style. Pull it on over a button-down shirt, with the collar coming our around the neck, and the sleeves of the button-down showing around your wrist. Depending on how professional or casual the environment, you can even roll the combined sleeves up a bit to expose part of your forearm for an effortless appearance. Instead of jeans, pair this combination with chinos or khakis to elevate the look, and don’t be afraid to use contrasting colors, such as a dark sweater and a light button-down shirt in similar color family or pairing a patterned sweater with a solid button-down. This is where you can add some personalization to the look.

Layering Quarter Zip Sweaters
While the quarter zip sweater for short men is great alone or as the top layer, you can also wear it as a middle layer, with a parka or jacket over the top, especially in colder months. In this case, you’ll want a piece that is loose enough to be worn over the sweater, but fitted enough to follow the lines of your body. In general, you don’t want it to look like you’re adding a lot of bulk to your frame — you want the final layered look to highlight your shape, not hide it.

The Ash & Erie Collection of Quarter Zip Sweaters for Short Men

So now that you know how versatile a quarter zip can be, you’ll want to add a few different colors to your wardrobe to compliment a range of outfits. Here are a few options to consider:

Burgundy Quarter-Zip Sweater
This bold burgundy color looks great on a number of skin tones, and is a perfect choice for pairing with a patterned shirt in a contrasting color for a unique and stylish statement. It is made of a made of soft merino wool for maximum comfort, and is designed to fit men 5’8” and under, so it has properly scaled sleeves and body length.

Charcoal Quarter-Zip Sweater
Made to the same specifications and from the same merino wool for a soft, comfortable fit you can wear all day, this dark charcoal color is a great neutral piece that can be worn with a light-colored shirt, a pattern, with jeans, with chinos, or anything in between. For those looking to try the style, this is a versatile piece that will complement almost any wardrobe.

Bonus: The Grey Lightweight Stretch Chinos
Sure, you can pair your quarter zip sweater with jeans or khakis, but that doesn’t mean those are the only options. Consider these soft grey chinos as an alternate — they pair perfectly with the charcoal or burgundy sweaters, and can easily be worn to both casual or more professional occasions without missing a beat. They are versatile pants that will become your go-to when getting dressed.

Quarter zips are one of those pieces that every short man should have in their closet — they are versatile, easy to wear, pair with a wide range of shirts, jackets, and pants, and can easily be worn casually or in more professional situations. They are a great item to keep on hand for those days when you’re just looking for a quick grab-and-go outfit while still walking out the door stylish and ready to take on the world.

Pair our sweaters with any of the Everyday Shirts below!