"The trend started when Jason Gyamfi, a computer science graduate, posted a video on TikTok of him and his friend Richard Minor showing off their quarter-zips. In his video, Gyamfi, the self-proclaimed founder of the quarter-zip movement, says: We don't do Nike Tech. We don't do coffee. It's straight quarter-zips and matchas around here. It's a lot easier to communicate with people when they don't stereotype you based on what you're wearing"
"The video has more than 30m views and spawned a movement that sees young, predominantly black men swapping the popular Nike Tech fleece a snug tracksuit with a chevron across the body and the iconic swoosh on the chest for a quarter-zip of any colour and from any brand, though a navy cable knit from Ralph Lauren won't hurt. The subtext is that quarter-zips, often associated with white, middle-class finance bros or Rishi Sunak signify professionalism, while Nike Techs, often associated with black, working-class men living in cities, represent criminality. To wear a quarter-zip, these videos say, is to complete your transformation from a hoodlum into something more respectable."
"Organised, rather bizarrely, by sibling rappers OKay the Duo, the meetup is the latest manifestation of a growing tongue-in-cheek trend for quarter-zips and matcha that has taken over TikTok globally."
A TikTok trend led by Jason Gyamfi promotes quarter-zips and matcha as a cultural signifier among young, predominantly black men. The viral video has over 30 million views and inspired meetups in cities including Houston, Rotterdam and London, organised by figures like sibling rappers OKay the Duo. Participants swap Nike Tech fleeces for quarter-zips, framing the garment as professional and respectable. Quarter-zips are associated with white, middle-class finance culture while Nike Techs are linked to black, working-class urban identities and criminal stereotypes. The trend functions as a tongue-in-cheek performance of social transformation and identity presentation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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