A Gen Z wardrobe swap from Nike tech to quarter zips
KYM
“I’m A Quarter Zip Dude Now”
DECEMBER 1, 2025
With a matcha in hand and a quarter-zip sweatshirt adorned, young men seem to be exchanging their teenage wardrobes for a more mature look, inspired by 21-year-old TikToker Jason Gyamfi, who claimed, “I don’t do that Nike tech stuff, which y’all little boys do.” Taking into account the novelty of this change, the question still remains: is this just a new fashion trend prompted by social media, or is Gen-Z growing up?
It would be a fair assumption to say that this is something that will die off, similar to the rapid growth and decline of bows and leopard print in recent years. However, the timing of this “trend” seems to coincide perfectly with a majority of Gen-Z entering the workforce.
EBHS Junior Elliott Lebowitz said, “It’s almost as if our styles are maturing with us. It used to be fine to hang out in our pajamas during virtual school, but now we have to enter the real world”.
The idea of growing up also factors in the desire for success. The job market seems to be shrinking each day, and for Gen-Z, that means trying harder than ever to be one of the lucky ones to enter it. For many, perception is reality, so if one dresses for success, that might mean achieving it.
Junior Shika Karayil said, “I always feel more productive when I get dressed up for school. Like, look good, feel good, you know?”
The shift in fashion from sweats and Nike-tech to quarter-zips is not simply a wardrobe swap, but a lifestyle one. It proves that our clothing is ready to adapt with us, but we have to be the ones to initiate that change.
