Let’s be real for a sec. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok, walked past a chicken shop on a Friday night, or even attempted to queue for a nightclub in Manchester recently, you’ve seen it. The uniform of the moment isn’t a skinny jean or a little black dress. It’s the Essentials tracksuit.
Yes, the Fear of God collaboration with SSENSE has officially become the UK’s armour. It’s the perfect middle ground between “I couldn’t be bothered” and “I spent £150 on looking like I couldn’t be bothered.”
But here is the kicker: not everyone wears it the same way. From the minimalist streets of London to the bold energy of Leeds, the Essentials tracksuit has become a chameleon. Whether you’re Gen Z, a hypebeast dad, or just someone who values the elasticated waistband, this is your guide to mastering the drop.
The “Essentials” Effect: More Than Just a Jogger
First, why has this specific tracksuit broken the internet? Unlike the chavvy stigma of the 2000s Burberry check, the Essentials hoodie and sweatpants combo offers quiet luxury on a budget. It’s the brainchild of Jerry Lorenzo (Fear of God), designed to look like you’ve got money without screaming logos.
The palette? Greys, creams, blacks, and ‘Moss’ greens. The fit? Oversized, cropped, and heavy-weight cotton that stands up on its own. It’s the sensory equivalent of a weighted blanket, but make it fashion.
How Different UK Cities Style the ‘Fit
London (The Minimalist MVP)
In the capital, less is always more. Londoners treat the Essentials Tracksuit as a blank canvas.
- The Vibe: Stealth wealth meets South London.
- How they wear it: They ditch the trainers.Essentials Tracksuit Actually, they put on a clean pair of black leather loafers or Gel-Kayano 14s. They throw a long wool trench coat over the hoodie.
- The Hack: Londoners never zip the hoodie up. It hangs open to reveal a vintage band tee or a plain white vest underneath.
- Accessory: A sleek Rimowa backpack or a Uniqlo crossbody bag. It’s all about the streamlined silhouette heading into Shoreditch or Soho.
Manchester (The Streetwear Staple)
Mancunian rain is relentless, so the fit has to be functional but hard.
- The Vibe: Rain-ready raver.
- How they wear it: The tracksuit is usually in a darker tone (Charcoal or Black). They layer a technical shell jacket (think The North Face or Arc’teryx) over the hoodie, leaving the Essentials hood peekin’ out the back.
- The Shoes: New Balance 550s or muddy-proof Salomons.
- The Hack: Roll the jogger cuff once. Just once. It shows off the chunky socks and stops the mud from ruining the hem. You’ll see this look killing it in the Northern Quarter.
Leeds (The Colour Pop)
Leeds is younger, louder, and the student population has made the Essentials tracksuit their own by breaking the “neutral only” rule.
- The Vibe: High-energy, clashing comfort.
- How they wear it: While London wears oatmeal, Leeds wears Cerulean Blue or Pistachio. They mix and match—don’t be surprised to see an Ecru hoodie with Heather Ochre pants.
- The Gen Z Touch: They are gatekeeping the “cinch.” They pull the drawstrings of the hoodie tight so the fabric stacks around the face, then add massive, chunky platform Uggs or Crocs in sport mode.
- The Vibe Check: Heading to Canal Mills or Belgrave Music Hall, it’s all about looking cosy but colourful.
Birmingham (The “Hard” Look)
Brum has a specific street energy. It’s tougher, more assertive.
- The Vibe: Roadman luxury.
- How they wear it: Everything fits baggy. We’re talking sizing up twice. The pants puddle over the shoes.
- The Shoes: Air Max 95s or the new Nike TN3s. Always a pristine white or all-black sole.
- The Accessory: A chunky Pendant or a Lacoste cap worn backwards. The essentials T-shirt is often worn under a fully unzipped hoodie to show off the layers.
- The Hack: Iron your tracksuit. Seriously. In Brum, creases are a sign of disrespect. A crisp Essentials hoodie commands respect on the high street.
Celebrity Influences: Who Made Us Buy It?
You can’t talk about the rise without naming names. This isn’t just a JD Sports special; this has been celebrity-vetted.
- Central Cee: The king of the loiter squad look. He single-handedly made the grey Essentials hoodie the official uniform of UK drill music. When Cench wears it with a gilet and a ski mask, sales spike.
- Hailey Bieber: She brought the “off-duty model” look to the women. She wears the oversized essentials jacket with biker shorts and socks.
- KSI & The Sidemen: They’ve turned the matching set into the ultimate “lads on tour” or “recording studio” aesthetic. It screams “I have money, but I want to nap.”
The Gen Z Bible: How the Youth Are Wearing It
For Gen Z (16-24), the Essentials tracksuit is a statement of emotional availability (i.e., “I am ready to sit on your sofa and eat snacks”).
- The “No Pants” Hack: Girls are wearing the oversized Essentials hoodie as a hoodie-dress with sheer tights or leg warmers. No joggers required.
- The Crop: If the hoodie is too long, they are tucking the front hem into the bra band or the waistband of the joggers to create an instant crop effect.
- The Messy Bun: The hood must be worn down over the bun. It creates a cocoon effect that is incredibly flattering on camera.
Breaking the Binary: The Gender-Neutral Appeal
Let’s give props where they’re due. The gender-neutral appeal of the Essentials range is why it survives.
Unlike BoohooMAN or PrettyLittleThing (which are cut aggressively for specific bodies), Essentials sizing is universal. An XXS man or a XL woman—everyone fits into the S/M/L spectrum.
- The “His & Hers” (But Make It Shared): Couples are sharing wardrobes. Buying one £110 hoodie works for both partners because the oversized drop shoulder looks good on a V-line and a curvier hip.
- Dating App Green Flag: Seeing someone in a clean Essentials tracksuit on a Hinge profile now signals “low maintenance, high quality.” It’s the anti-fast-fashion choice that says you care about fabric weight.
Fashion Hacks: How to Keep It Fresh (Without Looking Like a Scally)
We love the look, but we hate the stereotype. Here is how to avoid looking like you just walked out of a Come Dine With Me audition from 2008.
- The Shoe Rule: Never wear Nike Air Forces with a matching grey Essentials Tracksuit set. It’s too predictable. Swap them for Adidas Spezials, Birkenstock Bostons, or even Dr. Martens.
- The Half-Zip: Only zip your hoodie halfway. Let the chest logo peek out. Full zip looks too much like a dressing gown.
- The Parka Layer: In Glasgow or Newcastle (where it’s freezing), wear a Vintage CP Company or a simple Carhartt Detroit Jacket over the hoodie. The heavy canvas vs. soft fleece texture contrast is chef’s kiss.
- Wash Inside Out: Listen. This is expensive for a tracksuit. Turn it inside out, wash at 30°, and never tumble dry. We need to preserve that terry-loop texture.
Where to Cop (Without Getting Finessed)
The Scarcity Game: Essentials drops on SSENSE, Mr Porter, and Selfridges sell out in hours. If you see a “Certified Vendor” on eBay selling a “Black Medium” for £80? Run. It’s fake.
Your best bet: Sign up for the Fear of God mailing list. Or, hit up Depop. The UK resale market is flooded with “worn once” (strictly for the ‘gram) pieces at 30% off retail.
The Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
Let’s answer the question burning in your group chat. Is the Essentials tracksuit worth the £150-£200 spend?
Yes.
Why? Because it has killed the “jeans and a nice top” combo for good. For the UK audience, where the weather is miserable 70% of the time, having a heavyweight, cosy, rubber-stamped uniform that looks good on the school run, in Spoons, or on a flight to Marbs is priceless.
It is the social chameleon. Wear it with jewellery to go out. Wear it with sliders to go to Tesco. Wear it with a blazer to confuse your manager at the office Christmas party.
The Essentials tracksuit isn’t just clothing. It’s a lifestyle. And right now, from London to Leeds, the UK is living in it.