New York City has always been a fast city with many different cultures that blend together. Trends that derive from the streets of New York often spread quickly across the country, as The Big Apple is known for its fashion-forward ways.
For the past several years, the “Nike Tech” look has been a major staple of New York City, especially with teens. Many teenagers sport different versions of the Nike Tech brand, mixing colors and styles of the sweatsuit. But recently, a new change has taken over: quarter zips. Yes, the clean, professional piece of clothing that finance interns or golfers would wear is now the most viral trend amongst teens across New York City.
The trend began with a TikTok video by Jason Gyamfi and Richdafifth. They posted a video of themselves wearing quarter-zips and drinking a matcha drink on their TikTok page. The viral video they shared stated: “We don’t do Nike Tech. We don’t do coffee. It’s straight quarter zips and matchas around here.”
This supposed joke quickly turned into a must for New York City teens. Quickly, teens across the five boroughs began sporting quarter zips from different brands such as Ralph Lauren, Alo, and Patagonia. Teens who were once wearing Nike Techs switched over to the sweaters, and also acquired the matcha drinks. Some teens even went a step further changing out their Jordan and Nike sneakers for dress shoes.
Furthermore, teens have begun to pick out specific days of the week on which they should wear the quarter zips. What’s the vibe of this design, some may ask? It exemplifies a sense of elegance, professionalism, and minimalism. Teens who take part in the trend also change their entire demeanor, acting and behaving in a more “professional” and “high class” manner. This is a major shift for the streetwear of New York, which has affected many teens across the city.
Cardozo students have begun to catch onto the trend, as well. Many teens in the hallways can be seen some days wearing quarter zips, dress pants, and even shaking hands with teachers to show respect and professionalism. The trend has picked up so much that the leadership class implemented a school-wide spirit day to capture the looks of the viral fad.
Michael Cespedes, a student at Cardozo, took part in the trend after seeing it on social media. “I saw the trend on my For You Page, and ever since then, I’ve been a changed man,” he joked. Cespedes mentioned that this new sense of fashion made him feel like a new man, resembling the characteristics of someone who is more professional. For him, the trend had more meaning than what he was wearing.
“It’s like wearing a personality,” he added.
Isaiah Garruad, a Cardozo senior, had a very different take. When asked if TikTok inspired him, he laughed and said he’s actually “the original.” From his interview, he shared that he had been sporting quarter zips far before they became trending online. “I don’t follow TikTok fashion,” he said. “TikTok follows me.” From Isaiah’s perspective, it is shown that while people follow trends, other people have their own originality and stories.
The quarter zip trend has proven that social media plays a factor in what we wear, what we see, and how we act. Social media, while a place where everyone can voice their opinions, showcase their talents, and inspire others, can also change the trajectory of teens and their trends. One simple joke made by two TikTok creators quickly became a fashion statement across one of the biggest cities in the world. Social media can also make teens feel pressured to fit into these trends because of how many people partake in the trend across platforms.
Whether you’re like Garruad, who doesn’t conform, or like Cespedes, who is inspired by trends, the quarter zip trend showcases how fast trends take off online. It’s safe to say while some trends can be negative, others can bring out new versions of people that can be seen as positive and impactful.
