Let’s be real for a sec. In the last three years, if you haven’t seen a Fear of God Essentials tracksuit on your FYP, your morning commute, or your local uni library, you’ve been living under a rock.
What started as a high-end luxury spin on loungewear has officially become the unofficial uniform of the UK streets. From the grey-stone pavements of London to the rainy indie bars of Manchester and the student hubs of Leeds, the Essentials Tracksuit has transcended ‘hype’ and landed firmly in ‘modern classic’ territory.
But here’s the trick: Not all fits are created equal. How you wear your Essentials in Shoreditch is very different from how you style it in the Northern Quarter.
Let’s take a whistle-stop tour across the UK to see how Gen Z, celebrities, and the gender-fluid fashion crowd are remixing the ubiquitous ‘Essentials’ fit.
The Cult of the Tracksuit: Why ‘Essentials’ Rules Britain
Before we hit the cities, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Why is a £100+ hoodie so popular when Primark does one for a tenner?
It’s the fit. Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God aesthetic nailed the ‘relaxed but intentional’ silhouette. It’s not baggy; it’s oversized. It’s not slouchy; it’s structured. The muted colour palette—Oatmeal, Mocha, Dove Grey, Buttercream—feels soothing to the Instagram eye.
Plus, in a cost-of-living crisis, wearing ‘Essentials Tracksuit‘ signals that you know your labels, but you’re not trying too hard (unlike that kid dripping in Gucci logos). It’s quiet luxury for the estate.
So, how do the locals break it down?
London: The ‘Off-Duty Influencer’ Vibe
In the capital, you can’t throw a stone without hitting someone in an Essentials set, but Londoners have mastered the art of elevated laziness.
The Look: The half-zip pullover (unzipped) over a vintage band tee, paired with the straight-leg sweatpants (not the joggers with the tight ankle).
The Footwear: Forget trainers. The true London style hack right now is UGGs (the low-key Tasman slippers) or chunky Balenciaga-style sneakers. If it’s raining? Clean white Air Force 1s – they’re a tax write-off at this point.
The Hack: Londoners love a contrasting accessory. Throw a classic trench coat over your Essentials hoodie when you hop on the Tube. It looks accidental, makes you look rich, and keeps the wind out.
Celebrity Vibe: Central Cee. The West London rapper practically lives in muted tracksuits under his Puffer Jackets. He made the ‘hoodie up, cap low, chain visible’ silhouette iconic.
Manchester: The ‘Moody Indie’ Twist
Manchester doesn’t do bright colours. It’s raining 80% of the time, and the fashion reflects that gritty, utilitarian energy. The Essentials tracksuit here is treated like armour.
The Look: The ‘Mocha’ or ‘Black’ colourway is king. Manny lads and lasses size up—twice. They want the sleeves covering their knuckles and the trousers puddling over their trainers.
The Footwear: New Balance 550s or 2002Rs. The ‘dad shoe’ trend is alive and well in the North West. Also, wet look? No thanks. Suede protectant spray is the real MVP here.
The Gender-Neutral Appeal: Manchester is huge on unisex dressing. The Essentials tracksuit is the ultimate “borrowed from the boys” piece for girls, and the “soft boy” aesthetic for lads. No one bats an eye.
The Hack: Layer a quilted gilet (ASOS or Arcteryx) over the hoodie. It adds structure to the oversized drop-shoulder fit without hiding the iconic ‘ESSENTIALS’ rubber script on the leg.
Cultural Trend: The ‘Sapio’ drip. Manchester students are pairing their Essentials with round glasses and a tote bag full of philosophy books. It’s hot, nerdy, and comfortable.
Leeds: The ‘House Party’ Hero
Leeds is a student city. That means 3 pm lectures, 10 pm pres, and a lot of walking in the dark. The Essentials tracksuit here is less about fashion week and more about functionality meets flex.
The Look: The full zip hoodie. Why? Because Leeds club nights get sweaty. You need to be able to rip that top off and tie it around your waist without losing your street cred.
The Footwear: Nike Dunks or Crocs (yes, Crocs in sport mode). Leeds is practical. If you’re going to Otley Run, you need grip.
Gen Z Preference: Colour matching. Leeds Gen Z are obsessed with monochromatic dressing. If they wear ‘Oatmeal’, they are head-to-toe Oatmeal. Hair scrunchie? Oatmeal. Phone case? Oatmeal.
The Hack: The ‘French Tuck’ for tracksuits. Knot the hoodie drawstrings super short so they don’t dangle, and tuck the front hem of the hoodie slightly into the waistband of the trousers. It creates a waistline without losing the slouch. Thank me later.
Celebrity Influence: The Sienna & Rihanna Effect
You can’t talk about the rise of the ‘posh tracksuit’ without looking at the paparazzi.
When Sienna Miller was photographed nipping to the shops in a grey Fear of God hoodie with some Bottega boots, it re-wrote the rules. Suddenly, wearing a tracksuit wasn’t giving up; it was a choice.
Then you have Rihanna (a global icon, but we claim her energy in the UK) wearing puffer jackets over Essentials while pushing a pram. It told every new mum in Birmingham and Bristol: You can be comfortable and cool.
UK Drill scene also plays a massive role. When your favourite roadman rapper is wearing Essentials with a luxury watch, the logo becomes shorthand for “I’ve made it, but I’m still one of you.”
Style Hacks: How to Not Look Like You Just Rolled Out of Bed
We love the Essentials tracksuit, but there is a fine line between ‘effortless cool’ and ‘I’ve given up’.
- The Shoe Swap
Do not wear running shoes. They make the outfit look too athletic. Swap Hokas for Timberlands if you want a utilitarian look, or Loafers (yes, loafers) for a weird preppy clash. - The Bag Theory
A slouchy tracksuit needs a structured bag. Uniqlo crossbody? No. Try a Leather tote or a Supreme shoulder bag worn high and tight against the chest. - The Wash is Everything
Essentials hoodies are thick. They hold detergent. If you smell like Lenor, you lose. Use scentless detergent. The vibe is “clean skin”, not “laundry aisle”. - Layering for the Seasons
- Summer (lol, two weeks): Short sleeve Essentials tee (size up) with the matching shorts. No socks. Birkenstocks.
- Winter: The ‘Triple Layer’. Essentials Hoodie > Denim Jacket (unbuttoned) > Big Wool Coat.
The Gender-Neutral Revolution
One of the biggest wins for the Essentials Tracksuit tracksuit is its complete lack of gender policing.
Menswear sizes are the go-to for everyone. There is no ‘female cut’ of the Essentials hoodie because Jerry Lorenzo doesn’t believe in tailoring for the male gaze. The dropped shoulder hides the bust; the wide leg hides the hips.
This is huge for Gen Z. Whether you identify as he, she, or they, the fit looks exactly the same. It’s safe, it’s soft, and it doesn’t ask you to perform masculinity or femininity. You just exist in it. That’s the power.
Where to Cop (Without Getting Scammed)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Fakes. StockX is your safest bet for archived colours. For new drops, you need to be glued to Pacsun or the Fear of God website at 8 am on drop day.
Pro tip for UK readers: Sizes sell out instantly. If you’re between sizes, always size up. A tight Essentials hoodie looks tragic.
UK Retailers:
- END. Clothing (Newcastle/Glasgow based, ships fast)
- Selfridges (The Corner Shop often stocks the heavy fleece)
- Depop (For ‘vintage’ 2022 washes – but check the tags!)
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
Yes. But only if you treat it as a foundation, not the whole wardrobe.
The Essentials tracksuit has become the British version of the grey marl t-shirt. It’s democratic (if you save up), it’s durable, and it moves with the chaotic weather of the UK.
Whether you’re sipping matcha in London, nursing a Vimto in Manchester, or walking to the Aldi in Leeds, the Essentials tracksuit says: “I care about fashion, but I care about a nap more.”
So, which UK city are you repping with your fit? Tag us in your ‘fit checks. Just don’t forget to iron the leg crease before you leave the house.
