INSPIRATION AND ADVICE

HOW WE DO: HALF-ZIP SWEATS

By Sam Higgins, 4 August 2017

Summer’s occasional rainy interludes remind us that our warm-weather wardrobes need to have a level of versatility. That’s where overhead, half-zip tops come into their own – a lightweight cover-up that works with pretty much everything. What’s more, to ensure the piece can also see you through tricky transitional months, they’ve arrived on ASOS this season in a range of textures and tones. Here’s how we’ve been wearing them about the office.

ASOSer wearing a half-zip windbreaker | ASOS Style Feed

Light windbreaker

When the overhead jacket first found its way back onto our style radar, it came in the form of street-ready windbreakers. And, as stylist Ben shows here, they’re still a strong way of battling against the weather without sacrificing on style.

Pair with smart black joggers and satisfyingly-worn-in Converse to complete the look.

ASOSer wearing a fleece half-zip jacket | ASOS Style Feed

Rusty palette

Rusty hues continue to smash it this season and this fleecy option is perfect for when the wind offers a bite in the late summer evenings or layered under a jacket in the winter.

Leave it unzipped and fold the collar, as Sam does here, before keeping everything simple and monochrome elsewhere via a grey tee, black straight-leg jeans and white Reeboks.

ASOSer wearing a bold, yellow half-zip hoodie | ASOS Style Feed

Print clash

For the more sartorially experimental, the half-zip can take the starring role in a layered look of varying patterns. Follow senior editor Matt in opting for a bold hue on your sweat and layer over a check shirt or shacket for a clever clash of prints.

With your top half claiming the limelight, keep the rest minimal by pairing black trews with classic black trainers.

ASOSer wearing a grey fleece half-zip sweater | ASOS Style Feed

Dadcore fleece

The half-zip is classically one of the most outdoorsy, dadcore pieces going. But, for 2017, you don’t necessarily want to look as if you’re about to take a hike up a very large hill.

Artworker Seb shows you how to embrace the throwback feel in this grey, fleecy number by layering it over a lightweight knit, before pairing the piece with skinny black jeans and grey sporty kicks for a tonal touch.

Velour

If you’re partial to a textural switch-up, now – while the sun is still shining – is the time to pull it off. The last thing you want is to get caught up in heavy showers and have your velour half-zip doubling in water weight.

Follow creative producer Antony’s lead and go for a dark green slogan sweat and match it up with your camo Old Skool Vans for a strong case of colour coordination.

Cut and sew

The latest iteration of fashion’s DIY fandom is all about cut-and-sew pieces and, when utilised on a half-zip, the design technique lends the piece an even stronger retro edge.

Artworker Nawal knows full well the bold yellow sides and patchwork block colours of this top make a statement in themselves, so chooses straight-leg trews and black plimsolls to complement it. Clever.

ASOSer wearing a borg half-zip sweater | ASOS Style Feed

Borg brilliance

It’s probably worth keeping thicker textures aside for now, but the borg take on the half-zip will be the cosy addition to your autumn arsenal when the temperature dips back into single figures.

Pictures: ASOS

To make the most of the teddy-bear texture, freshen things up like Max here and opt for a blue colourway. Then, leave the rest laid back with loungewear essentials to flaunt your fuzziness to full effect.