Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok, hopped on the Northern Line, or walked past a JD Sports on a Saturday afternoon, you’ve seen it. The Essentials Tracksuit by Fear of God has officially infiltrated the British wardrobe faster than you can say “cuppa.”
But this isn’t your mum’s sweaty nylon set from the 90s. No, babes. This is the uniform of the hypebeast, the off-duty creative, and the Gen Z uni student who wants to look like they just stepped off a private jet (even if they’re just stepping off the 192 bus).
In this guide, we’re taking a road trip across the UK to see how different cities style the Essentials two-piece. From the grey concrete of London to the indie rock alleys of Leeds—grab a brew and let’s get into it.
What Actually Is the Essentials Tracksuit?
For the uninitiated: Essentials Tracksuit is the diffusion line of Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God. Think oversized fits, heavy cotton fleece, muted earth tones (Oatmeal, Taupe, Black, and that iconic Dark Heather Grey), and a tiny rubber ‘ESSENTIALS’ logo slapped across the chest or thigh.
It’s quiet luxury for the skint. It’s what you wear when you want to look like Kylie Jenner, but your bank account looks like a fresher’s week overdraft.
Why the UK loves it: Our weather is miserable. Essentials fleece is thick, heavy, and actually keeps the wind out. Plus, the neutral palette hides a multitude of sins—like spilled Tennent’s or rain splatter.
City Style Guide: How the UK Wears It
The beauty of the Essentials set is its chameleon-like ability to fit in everywhere. But the energy changes depending on your postcode.
London (Shoreditch / Soho): The “Intentional Slouch”
In the capital, the Essentials Hoodie is a status symbol. It says, “I work in tech or PR, and I’m too cool for buttons.”
- The Vibe: Effortless, but make it expensive.
- Styling Hack: Londoners never wear the hoodie up. They fold the kangaroo pocket just so. Pair the cargo sweats with Balenciaga Triple S knock-offs or a pair of crispy white Samba OG.
- The Layer: Under a vintage oversized denim jacket or a long black trench coat (for when the tube gets hot).
- Pro Tip: Roll the waistband of the joggers once. It changes the silhouette from “I just woke up” to “editorial shoot.”
Manchester (Northern Quarter): The Indie / Rave Hybrid
Mancunian styling is louder, bolder, and sweatier (in a good way). The rain is heavier here, so the hood is actually used.
- The Vibe: Post-club comfort meets Gallagher-core.
- Styling Hack: Take the Brown Essentials Tracksuit (very popular up North) and pair it with a vintage Stone Island jumper tied around the waist. Add a bucket hat.
- The Trainer: New Balance 550s or battered Nike Air Max 95s. The filthier the trainer, the higher the street cred.
- Cultural Context: You’ll see this fit at the Warehouse Project. It’s baggy enough to dance in, but expensive enough to get you past the velvet rope.
Leeds: The Student Uniform
Leeds is a uni city, and frankly, the students have cracked the code. They can’t afford the £600 retail price, so Depop and Vinted are goldmines.
- The Vibe: High volume, low cost. Mix and match.
- Colour Hack: Leeds Gen Z loves colour blocking. Put a Duck Camo Hoodie with Oatmeal Sweats. Clashing neutrals is the new matching set.
- The Footwear: Crocs (Sport Mode) or Uggs. Comfort is king because the walk from the Hyde Park pub to the club is a trek.
- The Hack: Crop the hoodie slightly by tucking the bottom hem into your bra or waistband. Instant proportion fix.
Celebrity Influences: Who Made It Cool?
You can’t talk about the Essentials tracksuit without mentioning the celebrity echo chamber.
- Kendall Jenner: Spotted leaving a Pilates class in an Olive Green set. Instantly sold out globally.
- Central Cee (Our UK King): He single-handedly made the Navy Blue Essentials Hoodie a must-have in West London. He pairs it with a thin Ralph Lauren cap and a diamond chain. It’s the “roadman chic” aesthetic.
- Hailey Bieber: She wore the grey set with chunky loafers and an LBD (Little Black Dress?) No—she wore it with a Lttle Btton T*p under it. Chaos. Iconic.
SEO Keyword Drop: When celebs like Travis Scott or Dave wear the Fear of God Essentials range, resale prices on StockX jump by 40% overnight.
Gender-Neutral & Gen Z: The Great Unifier
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Gender labels are out. Essentials is non-binary gold dust.
- Why it works: The cuts are boxy and oversized. There are no “women’s” cuts with weird cinched waists. A hoodie is a hoodie.
- Gen Z Hack: “Borrowing” your mate’s tracksuit is a sign of trust.
- The “Fits Everyone” Rule: Because the silhouette is exaggerated, it looks good on a size 6 frame and a size 18 frame equally. It hides the bits you want to hide, and shows off the baggy drape.
5 Fashion Hacks to Elevate Your Essentials Game
You don’t want to look like a 12-year-old going to PE. Here’s how to adult-ify the tracksuit.
1. The Half-Zip Hack
Don’t zip your hoodie all the way up. Zip it halfway, then pull the hood strings tight. It creates a funnel neck that frames the jawline. Very “off-duty model.”
2. The Sock Tuck
Don’t let your joggers drag on the wet UK pavement. Tuck the hem of the sweats into thick wool socks (think Stance or Nike Elite). Pull the socks over the trousers. Yes, it looks weird until you put a trainer on. Then it looks techy.
3. The Contrast Underlayer
Wear a bright Oxford shirt or a rugby shirt poking out from under the hoodie. Only the collar and cuffs show. It adds a preppy twist that confuses and delights.
4. DIY “Vintage” Wash
Brand new Essentials is too firm. Wash it inside out with a cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of salt. This softens the fleece immediately and stops the logo from cracking. (You’re welcome).
5. The Reversible Cap
Top it off with a grey or black Reversible Cap (Arc’teryx or New Era). Turn it backwards when you enter a coffee shop. It’s a micro-signal that you know what you’re doing.
The “No-Go” Zones (Don’t Do This, Mate)
- Don’t iron it. The rubber logo will melt. Steaming is fine, but who steams a tracksuit?
- Don’t match the trainers exactly. White hoodie + White sweats + White Air Forces = dentist waiting room. Break it up.
- Don’t wear the jacket and the trousers if you’re over 35. (Sorry, but the “full suit” look only works on under-25s. For the rest of you, break the set up. Hoodie with jeans, or sweats with a leather jacket).
Where to Cop (Without Getting Scammed)
Authentic Essentials Tracksuit is hard to find. Beware the TikTok fakes.
- Mr Porter & Selfridges: Your best bet for retail drops. Sign up for alerts. You snooze, you lose.
- END. Clothing: Based in Newcastle, ships nationwide. They get the “Clay” and “Buttercream” colourways first.
- Depop & Vinted: Search for “FOG Essentials” and look for the woven wash tag inside. If the font is blurry, walk away.
- StockX: Safe, but expensive. Use this for the rare “Spring 23” corduroy sets.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
Let’s be honest. It’s a £140 tracksuit. That is a lot of money for a hoodie and matching trousers.
But… you wear it three times a week. It goes to the airport, the pub, the gym (don’t actually train in it—that’s what Gymshark is for), and the sofa. Cost Per Wear? Pennies.
The Essentials Tracksuit isn’t fashion. It’s armour for modern life. It protects you from the cold, from bad fashion days, and from the judgemental eyes of Soho house wannabes.
So whether you’re striding through Spitalfields in a Taupe hoodie, leaning against a wall in Manchester’s NQ in the dark heather grey, or stumbling home in Leeds with a kebab in one hand and your drawstring in the other—do it with swagger.
