It's a good flag on the quarter zip (hearing them referred to as "QZs" was my notice to exit the category a few years ago). Like the padded vest, they just need time to shed their bank swag associations.
I think with both of these examples, fabric choice makes a world of difference. For the padded vest for example, sure the shiny polyester of the inner cities is pretty dire, but trade that for cotton or 60/40, add a leather western yoke perhaps, and all of a sudden you are leagues away from the finance bro look. Same with the quarter zips, there’s an enormous diversity beyond the regular close-knits, bouclé, deep pile fleece, brushed wool, casentino (if you can afford Drake’s) or thicker 100% wool knits.
Overall I just think the quarters and vests sported by the bank swag collective are absolutely not the best expressions of either garment.
Having thought about it a little more, I’ve realised something else. It’s remarkable how little texture there is in the fabric choices of corporate wear full stop. Poplin, solid coloured worsteds, plain silk/ polyester ties, and then those flat quarter zips and vests. Each has a more textured option, oxford, flannel and tweed, knit or grenadine ties.
It's a good flag on the quarter zip (hearing them referred to as "QZs" was my notice to exit the category a few years ago). Like the padded vest, they just need time to shed their bank swag associations.
I think with both of these examples, fabric choice makes a world of difference. For the padded vest for example, sure the shiny polyester of the inner cities is pretty dire, but trade that for cotton or 60/40, add a leather western yoke perhaps, and all of a sudden you are leagues away from the finance bro look. Same with the quarter zips, there’s an enormous diversity beyond the regular close-knits, bouclé, deep pile fleece, brushed wool, casentino (if you can afford Drake’s) or thicker 100% wool knits.
Overall I just think the quarters and vests sported by the bank swag collective are absolutely not the best expressions of either garment.
Completely agree. Still thinking about the Calistoga Vest from The Armoury last year (and there are two new versions coming). https://www.thearmoury.com/collections/vests/wool-tweed-herringbone-calistoga-vest?variant=40291852058695
Having thought about it a little more, I’ve realised something else. It’s remarkable how little texture there is in the fabric choices of corporate wear full stop. Poplin, solid coloured worsteds, plain silk/ polyester ties, and then those flat quarter zips and vests. Each has a more textured option, oxford, flannel and tweed, knit or grenadine ties.