On the 8th, Samsung C&T's fashion division announced it had named the 'quarter zip' the must-watch fashion item for the year.
With interest in zip-up pieces rising both at home and abroad, Samsung C&T's fashion division says the quarter zip will be a key item shaping 2026 fashion trends.
A quarter zip refers to a knit or sweatshirt with a zipper that runs from the neck to the upper chest — roughly one-quarter of the garment's length.
By contrast, a half zip has a zipper that covers about half the distance from the neck to the chest.
Zip-up pieces once skewed toward middle-aged men in sportswear and business-casual circles. Lately, though, their unique appeal has made them a global favorite across ages and genders.
The Samsung Fashion Research Institute's internal survey found consumer interest in zip-ups has risen sharply since last fall-winter season.
Naver DataLab's analysis also shows searches for quarter zip surged dramatically after November 2025.
On SSF Shop, the online store run by Samsung C&T's fashion division, searches for half zip and half-zip rose more than 20% year-on-year in December, while searches for quarter zip jumped a staggering 2,950% compared with the same period last year.
Analysts say this spike suggests the once little-known term quarter zip is becoming a new standard for categorizing zip-up garments.
The quarter zip's rise is visible overseas, too. Short-form videos and clips of global celebrities styling quarter zips are gaining traction, and luxury brands are featuring zip-up looks in recent collections to create varied silhouettes and layered moods.
Samsung C&T's fashion division expects zip-ups — versatile pieces that work from casual days to the office — to be a major focus this year, highlighting offerings from 8Seconds, Beanpole and GLXY.
8Seconds has drawn attention with its Knit-like Half Zip Sweatshirt, which pairs a soft, textured fabric with a clean, modern design.
Styles like the Fleece Half-Zip Graphic Sweatshirt and the Rib Half-Zip Pullover have also proven popular for their effortlessly stylish vibes.
Beanpole Men introduced items such as the Casual Soft Cotton Big Quarter-Zip Pullover and the Barrel-B Half-Zip Knit, delivering elevated, refined looks, while Beanpole Ladies proposed a Wool Cable Quarter-Zip Pullover made from 100% wool with a classic cable pattern.
GLXY won praise with casual-yet-polished pieces like the Chenille Half-Zip T-Shirt and the Wool-Blend Half-Zip Sweater, offering flexible zip-up styling for both business-casual and everyday wear.
A Samsung C&T fashion official said consumer interest in the quarter zip is rising both abroad and at home, and added that mixing quarter and half zips with a variety of pieces can create on-trend, standout looks.
