Over the past few weeks, FYPs have become dominated by the workwear staple. Young men who previously might’ve been seen exclusively in Nike Tech, have now traded them in for quarter zip sweaters. Across social media, they are sharing styling tips and hosting meetups at malls, all clad in business-casual.
The trend gained widespread attention when, in early November, TikToker @whois.jason shared a video of himself sipping a matcha (the beverage of choice for the ‘performative male’) with a friend. Both are wearing quarter zip sweaters.
“We don’t do Nike Tech, we don’t do coffee. It’s straight quarter zips and matchas around here,” he says in the clip. “We upgraded in life; we wear glasses now.”
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Since it was posted, the clip has gained over 25 million views. “No more DMs we on outlook and teams,” one comment read. Another wrote: “We on linkedin not instagram.”
The hashtag #quarterzip currently has over 55,000 posts on TikTok. There’s T-Pain in Louis Vuitton talking about “401k and a quarter zip.” Rapper Central Cee hung up his customary Nike Tech fleece for a cream Ralph Lauren one. “Nike tech’s most loyal person just switched up,” one comment read on his TikTok post.
The basketball video game NBA 2K account announced the addition of quarter zips to 2K26 last week, not long after the topic started trending on TikTok. Even brands are jumping on, a sure sign as any that a trend has run its course.
Some say the co-option of quarter zips signals a vibe shift that goes beyond fashion. Fortune calls it “a subtle signal of ambition and adaptation in a job market that feels almost insurmountably tough for many young adults today.” The New York Times described the shift as “an aesthetic pivot toward the expectations of the professional world.”
It’s true, the quarter zip has long been a signal of soft professionalism. If a LinkedIn connection was an item of clothing, it would be the quarter zip (perhaps under a fleece vest to complete the uniform). Others have connected the trend to the history of Black dandyism, a cultural movement and fashion style intended to subvert racial stereotypes, inspiring last year’s Met Gala theme.
While the lifecyle of a TikTok trend is often no more than a few days or weeks at most, retail data shows a 25% sales rise for quarter zips among 18- to 24-year-olds since mid-2024. Google Trends shows a 2,250% increase in searches for “1/4 zip pullover men’s business casual” over the past 12 months.
This article originally appeared in Inc.’s sister publication, Fast Company.
Fast Company is the world’s leading business media brand, with an editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, world changing ideas, creativity, and design. Written for and about the most progressive business leaders, Fast Company inspires readers to think expansively, lead with purpose, embrace change, and shape the future of business.
Its an outfit men have worn for decades: navy blazer, jeans, loafers.
The format stays the same, but each decade has shaped it into its own reflection. In the early 1990s, this look was part of a larger mood, affluent, collegiate, at ease with itself.
American menswear favored natural shoulders, soft tailoring, heavier denim, and a laid-back kind of polish. It was the height of post-1980s optimism and the start of what you might call the “Gap-era democracy” when dressing well didn’t mean hard. The J.Crew catalog sold this look by staging it near docks and Jeeps, always within walking distance of either a lacrosse field or a bookstore.
The creative direction of that era was to appear competent and culturally fluent: a man who played touch football at Thanksgiving and helped his cousin move on weekends. The looseness of the blazer, the familiarity of the jeans, and the tie left slightly loosened all signaled a kind of regular excellence. You wore the outfit because it worked and had worked, and the fact that it looked a little old-fashioned was part of the charm, not in the costume sense, but in the way the pieces looked like things you’d always had.
Like the pleated chinos you might paint the ceiling in, as one J.Crew cover in 1993 showed. The old-fashioned quality came from polish that felt lived in. “This is just what I wear.” That’s why it looked so casual.
By 2015, that goodwill had tightened.
The culture had shifted toward optimization: Calorie tracking, standing desks, personal branding. But it didn’t happen all at once.
The silhouettes of the 90s were loose and easy, but they lived in distinct silos; your dress clothes were one thing, your casual clothes another. They didn’t mix. As young millennial professionals pushed into spaces that still required business casual+, the instinct was to carry forward the dressy silhouette in more casual materials: Jeans, sweaters, and shirts all got slimmer to pass. Slimmer meant sharper, and sharper could mix with the leftover tailoring.
J.Crew, 2011
A tie was still worn, but maybe it was skinny now. Jeans replaced pleated khakis, but had to be dark, slim, and sharp. You were still assembling the look, but with more casual ingredients.
This was the birth of what emerged as smart casual: a dress code approach that nodded toward outcome versus a specific list of acceptable items like khakis or a tie. A pass / fail test for situational appropriateness, and less a uniform.
The proportions continued to narrow, fabrics got sleeker, and heritage was packaged into precise, curated choices. The jeans were stiff and dark, often raw, and intentionally cuffed. The blazer was shorter, the fit closer, the styling full of little moves like pocket squares but no belt, sprezzatura ties, and monk straps.
In the early 2000s we still wore dress socks with loafers but they had to be fun patterns. By the mid 10s, the socks were gone altogether.
You wore it to prove you could still look dressed while dodging the formality of an actual suit. It co-evolved with open office plans and startup culture, workplaces that traded hierarchy for hoodies but still expected you to look like you had taste.
The J.Crew of this era gave you rules: trim your collar, hem your pants, slim your life. It was still aspirational, but with homework.
As it always does, a new generation has entered the workforce responding to what came before. If millennials were avoiding the rigidity of business casual by refining their casual clothing, Gen Z has inherited an environment where they reject the need to justify what they want to wear. Looser fits aren’t just about comfort, the proportions have softened because the posture has too. The rejection isn’t a rejection to the polish, it’s refusing the obligation to justify choosing comfort and drape.
J.Crew 2015 & 2025
While it can seem like a full aesthetic swing from just a few years ago, philosophically they’re continuing what the millennials started before them, and Gen X before them, and the Baby Boomers before that. Each generation has reacted to the expectations it inherited. The media often describes it like a trend swing, but really it’s a natural progression.
In 2025, the jeans are fuller and lighter wash. The blazer fits, but doesn’t hug the body. The tie isn’t there to prove anything. Wear it, don’t wear it, it doesn’t matter; more akin to deciding if you’ll wear a watch or not.
There’s less tension between the pieces. The socks are present with loafers again. The belt has texture but is neither a dress belt or a thick jeans belt. It’s not trying to dress down tailoring to make it acceptable. It’s just… worn.
In 1990, it was refined confidence by calculated nonchalance. In 2015, it was tasteful casual via precision. In 2025, it’s balance without justification. None of these versions are better or worse. They just tell you what the moment valued.
And that’s what keeps the outfit useful. The form doesn’t change much, but the approach does.
How to create modern looks in an increasingly casual world.
We live in this weird crossover time, where a blazer still feels like the appropriate default in certain social situations but we rarely see most other men actually wearing blazers.
The result is men today find themselves in one of two camps:
He never wears blazers, and may not even have one, but has an imminent event or meeting that he needs to match the blazer-level dress code for
He wears blazers and other dress clothing all the time but more and more feels out of place because he doesn’t know how to augment his blazer outfits for more casual, evening, or warmer weather functions
Below are my five favorite blazer swaps that maintain or reduce the formality of wearing a blazer or augment a business casual outfit to something more modernly appropriate outside of all but the strictest business casual scenarios.
A Shawl Collar Cardigan
Season: Fall to spring | Advantage: Fits in with others wearing blazers and is more comfortable.
The shawl collar cardigan is perhaps the easiest blazer swap to make. Essentially a “sweater blazer,” the shawl collar cardigan pairs effortlessly with any business casual outfit you’d wear a blazer with, without a dramatic decrease in formality. You could wear this outfit in a room full of men with blazers and still feel sufficiently dressed.
The best part is that the shawl collar cardigan is significantly easier to incorporate into more casual or rugged outfits than a blazer – and if you’ve been following Primer for any length of time, you know how much I love to layer one over a t-shirt as a more refined alternative to a hoodie.
A Harrington Jacket
Season: Spring and cooler summer | Advantage: Comfort, dresses down a business casual outfit
The Harrington jacket, first created in the 1930s in the UK and popularized by icons like James Dean and Elvis Presley, transitioned over the decades from polished ivy league menswear to a symbol of rebellion within various punk cultures, making it an ideal blazer swap for those looking to retain classic style that also has a history of edginess.
While the history of the jacket aligns it with a classic aesthetic, it is inherently more casual, so beyond the added benefit of comfort, it also allows the seamless swap of sneakers from dress shoes. These court-style sneakers have a history and timeline that mirrors the Harrington, and the two pair seamlessly.
A Leather Jacket
Season: Fall to Spring | Advantage: Retains sophistication while adding rugged edge, ideal for evening events
A lightweight and minimalist leather jacket, particularly in suede, like this fitted bomber jacket easily takes the place of a sportcoat. Sticking to a limited color palette, like I’ve done here with warm neutrals, makes the whole look feel cohesive and refined.
Maybe you find yourself in a weird situation as a blazer guy on a work trip that transitions to a bar, trendy restaurant, or concert. Or maybe you’re an always-casual man needing to dress it up for once and a blazer sounds like torture. The leather jacket is an easy go-to when you want to look put-together without appearing overly formal. The simpler the design, the better the jacket will pair with the dressier outfit.
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How to Cheaply Fix Sloppy Open Collar Shirts
Whether you’re wearing a blazer or one of my five swaps, one thing remains: A tie-less button up shirt collar needs to look put-together. The trouble is most dress shirts don’t support an open collar look because the shirt placket and collar material is too fine – resulting in the collar collapsing under its own weight or the shuffling of the day.
Right: A Slick Collar hidden under my shirt collar
The result? Collar points sliding under your outer layer, being further pulled outward and creating a sloppy opening instead of that distinguished tall collar that keeps a casual outfit from looking careless.
Slick Collar – I’m using it in all of the outfit photos
Fortunately, there’s a solution that works effortlessly and is cheap – something you never get, especially in the world of clothing. The Slick Collar acts as a support that rests hidden under your collar holding up both the collar and your open button placket. It’s light enough that I never know it’s there, much to my detriment when it goes flying across the room because I forgot about it when I take my shirt off.
Each box has 3 lengths
It’s adjustable, and each box comes with 3 different collar lengths so that you have the right size for every type of shirt you have, including polos and spread collars. Much like the traditional collar stay, the Slick Collar just works and you’ll wonder how this isn’t a standard part of wearing collared shirts. Even better, it’s a frugal and functional solution from a small business. What’s not to love?
Season: Year-round | Advantage: All the qualities of an unstructured blazer sans lapel
The chore coat makes for a great swap for a blazer in business casual outfits because it shares 99% of its DNA with a cotton blazer. Unstructured and unlined cotton blazers make for an ideal warmer weather sportcoat option, and the only real difference between them and a chore coat is the shape.
Chore coats traditionally feature standard flap collars, a straight placket, and flap pockets on the waist, making chore coats basically blazers without lapels. Their design is minimalist enough to still be sophisticated but there’s an inherent ruggedness to them that can be desirable if you personally feel a little dorky in standard business casual gear.
A Denim Jacket
Season: Year-round | Advantage: The most casual blazer alternative
Wearing a denim trucker jacket over a business casual base is the most informal option of the blazer alternatives. It wouldn’t be appropriate for anywhere that calls for a blazer, but it works great in the opposite way: Dressing down a dress shirt and trousers to create a more smart casual outfit. This is ideal for when you need to have the “air” of being a little dressed up but are still clearly casual.
The white dress shirt and dark gray textured pants form a chameleon-like foundation that the denim jacket and the chunky-soled suede boots add a sense of direction to. In fact, the shirt and pants are the same ones from the suede jacket outfit, proving a simple change in jacket and footwear can create clearly different feels in terms of aesthetic and dress-level.
It’s amazing how many times you can see a movie and miss so much. I must have seen the original Ghostbusters legitimately at least a hundred times in my life. I even wrote the most extensive guide on making a DIY Ghostbusters uniform that has helped thousands of people fulfill their childhood fantasies, with unique details from my guide appearing in museum display recreations. Saying I’m familiar with the movie would be an understatement.
And yet I only recently started noticing all of the off-duty getups, the outfits the Ghostbusters wore when they weren’t decked out in their signature tan jumpsuits and proton packs. These overlooked moments provide a unique window into the characters’ personalities and the film’s setting in 1980s New York City.
These outfits incorporate enduring elements that have stood the test of time, seamlessly transitioning from the 1980s to today’s contemporary style. This is particularly evident in the recent shifts in design philosophy from brands like J.Crew, where there has been a noticeable return to styles and designs reminiscent of the 1980s.
While, ok fine, it is unlikely that J.Crew has been directly inspired by “Ghostbusters,” the parallels between their current offerings and the film’s costumes are uncanny.
This retro revival has brought with it a resurgence of classic cuts, pops of color, and an appreciation for mixing classically utilitarian clothing with refined accents—all elements that are present in the Ghostbusters’ casual off-duty outfits. The result is that these looks are not only relevant again but are almost entirely re-creatable using modern pieces, and 80% of it from J.Crew.
“We can relax, I found the car.” Ray’s Workwear Outfit
Ray’s attire in “Ghostbusters” strikes a perfect chord between utilitarian simplicity and a quiet nod to style—a visual cue to how he straddles his academic background with the out-in-the-field realities of his new business. The denim chore coat he dons is an option that means business, but its choice of fabric and detail adds a hint of sartorial savvy. Similarly his gray sweatshirt and dark gray jeans are subdued and functional but have details like the boxer’s v on the collar and the raglan sleeves. He’s ready for work, but he’s not oblivious to the aesthetic details.
He wears the chore coat again with the white t-shirt and khakis during the Dana interview scene, to a similar effect:
It’s the kind of outfit that doesn’t date, the sort you could pull from a wardrobe thirty years on and still feel current in. It’s a combo that works, whether your job is wrestling with supernatural entities or social media trolls.
In a particularly memorable moment from the film—the “last of the petty cash” scene—Ray sheds the jacket, and we see the outfit in its most basic form. Even without the jacket, there’s something undeniably put-together about the minimalism and honesty of the look.
What’s crazy is that even though I’ve overlooked the casual outfits from the film, I already wear a lot of it. Just a few years ago I did an entire article on how to style the same gray sweatshirt and charcoal jeans 5 different ways.
It’s practical, yes, but it’s also got a sense of style—a blend that’s enduring, just like the film itself.
“Do you know how much a patent clerk earns?” Ray’s Green Toggle Duffel Coat
Ray’s green toggle duffel coat stands out as another piece that combines function with classic menswear style. This type of coat has European roots, especially linked to British naval wear, designed with toggle fastenings for ease of use in cold conditions. Featuring a hood that separates it from dressier topcoats with notch lapels and often have a tartan lining, duffel coats remain a solid outerwear pick for the colder months.
Today, if you’re leaning towards getting a similar look, there are two options worth considering. First, there’s the Italian Wool Parka from Bonobos.
It takes cues from the classic duffel but opts for a more streamlined design, skipping the toggles and interior flannel. It’s a modern, subtle take on the iconic coat. Alternatively, Montgomery offers a coat that closely mirrors the one from the film, with a design and wool blend that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
Winston effortlessly embodies a smart casual outfit for his interview that has stood the test of time in the decades since.
The light gray tweed sportcoat strikes a balance between sophistication and hardy practicality, paired with the white, pink, and blue plaid shirt creates a look that could seamlessly transition from a laid-back work setting to a relaxed evening outing.
Grounded by dark, well-fitting denim, solidifying a look that suggests readiness and professionalism, all while maintaining a sense of approachability – a smart move for showing up to an interview at a business that is equal parts quantum physics and pest control.
Fast forward to today, and this outfit’s cultural relevance and stylistic prowess remain remarkably intact for a contemporary interview in a casual work setting. Brands like J.Crew have championed this aesthetic for decades, offering checkered shirts that blend vintage vibes with modern tailoring, and dark denim jeans that ensure professionalism.
“Does this pole still work?!” Ray’s Firehouse Outfit
Ray’s “firehouse” outfit is steeped in a rugged New England aesthetic, merging the practicality of utility wear with the understated sophistication often found in East Coast casual style. The dark blue plaid jacket hints at a preppy influence, while the utility pants reminiscent of the OG-107 fatigue pants ground the look in function. This blend creates a style that’s both outdoorsy and classically refined, perfect for those seeking a balance between the two.
The standout piece? That dark blue plaid jacket. If the movie is any evidence, plaid was huge in 1984, and Ray’s jacket throws in that touch of casual style over his simple blue work shirt. It’s functional but with enough taste to make it more than just workwear.
Unless you’ve got a heavy prep influence to your personal style, you may want to switch from a polo to a henley, like I have here.
“Who’s the stiff?” Venkman’s Orange-red Chamois Shirt
Venkman appears to be wearing a heavy flannel shirt jacket or chamois shirt in an orangish red tone with tan leather elbow patches. It was likely sold as a “hunting shirt,” a poetic choice, considering the scene.
With its roots in catering to outdoor enthusiasts, the chamois shirt’s design provided enduring quality, warmth, and a tactile feel of chamois leather. First labeled as the “Leatherette Shirt” due to its visual semblance to traditional buckskin garments, LLBean rebranded it in 1933 to be known as the “Chamois Shirt.” For about thirty years, its classic tan shade was the signature color until the bold move in the 1960s to introduce “scarlet” – a hue believed to repel black flies.
Today, for those looking to recreate Venkman’s look, the chamois shirt remains a modernly wearable choice. Whether paired with jeans for a relaxed weekend or layered under a jacket or vest for a more polished appearance, its legacy as a blend of practicality and style endures. LLBean, J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Filson still offer red-hued chamois shirts, though one with the leather patches is few and far between. If you really want an exact copy, you can order one from Magnoli Clothiers, a company that remakes famous film clothing.
“We’ll eat and read.” Peter’s First Date Tweed
The outfit’s pairing of browns with purple, blue, orange, and green hues represents an intriguing blend of earthy stability and regal elegance. Brown, with its grounded and reliable look, aligns with the depth and richness of purple, traditionally associated with luxury or creativity, and clearly separates the tweed from a vintage countryside style. This combination pushes traditional color boundaries, but maintains a refined harmony, something that aligns with a man more like a gameshow host than a scientist.
Moving to the broader fashion landscape, this fusion has found renewed relevance with J.Crew’s ’80s-inspired resurgence. The brand’s bold, blocky color statements set against their signature classic menswear rugged aesthetic, resonates with this brown and purple dynamic. This pairing, once an outlier in the ’90s and 2000s, now feels fashion-forward.
Nearly 40 years after its cinematic debut, the casual outfits from Ghostbusters have either endured or found new relevance with recent fashion trends. It’s never been easier to find style inspiration from your favorite movie without looking like you’re wearing a costume.
And if you’re ready to get your on-duty Ghostbusters uniform put together too, dive in to my DIY guide.
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Business casual attire, also called “smart casual,” has become increasingly popular in the modern workplace. It allows employees to dress in a more relaxed and comfortable manner while maintaining a professional appearance.
Whether you’re scouring jobs online on sites like ZipRecruiter, you’re headed back to the office full time, or just ready to improve your professional wardrobe, looking professional can score you points on the job or at your next big interview.
So, what exactly is business casual attire? It generally consists of a collared shirt, slacks or khakis, closed-toe shoes for men, a blouse, dress pants or a knee-length skirt for women. Jeans may be acceptable in some business casual environments, but it’s always best to check with your employer before wearing them.
In addition to traditional business casual attire, there are a few other elements to consider when dressing for the modern workplace:
Pay attention to fit. Clothing should be well-fitting and not too tight or too baggy. Similar to an interview situation, make sure your clothes are clean, pressed and in good condition. Try your outfits before heading into the office so you know how they fit you.
Choose appropriate fabrics. Avoid clothing made of overly casual fabrics, such as denim or sweatshirt material. Opt for dressier fabrics like cotton, wool, or linen.
Accessorize wisely. Keep accessories simple and professional. Avoid overly flashy or bold jewelry and stick to a watch and a minimal number of other accessories. Accessories are a great way to show your personality and fashion sense.
Consider the company culture. Some companies may have a more relaxed dress code, while others may be more formal. Consider the culture of your workplace and dress appropriately. When in doubt, ask HR or observe your peers to get an idea of how to dress every day.
Keep your outfits well-maintained. Make sure your clothes are clean and well-maintained. This includes ironing your clothes and polishing your shoes.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you are dressed appropriately for a business casual environment and project a professional image in the modern workplace.
If you’re looking for a more casual office culture or you’re just ready for the next step in your career, ZipRecruiter can help. As the #1 job site in the U.S.1, it makes job searching easy. It uses powerful AI matching technology to help you find the right fit, and you can also read reviews and ratings from current and former employees to learn about a company’s culture before applying.
1 Based on G2 satisfaction ratings as of January 1, 2022
