Black Chicagoans embrace the quarter-zip trend while discussing its meaning

On Sunday, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream in Bronzeville was not only bursting with dozens of customers, but they were all wearing the same attire: the quarter-zip sweater.

Some were bright, some were muted. Some were paired with bow ties and neckties. The patrons — mostly in their teens or early 20s — socialized and laughed as they tried samples of caramel cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake and lemon pound cake flavors.

“I feel proper when I wear a quarter-zip,” said Lake Rome, 14, of Ashburn. “I’m a Whitney Young [High School] student, so I pride myself on nothing less than excellence.”…

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