Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok, walked past a box park, or simply tried to grab a coffee in Shoreditch without bumping into someone, you’ve seen it. The Essentials Tracksuit by Fear of God has officially become the armour of the British youth.
It’s no longer just “athleisure.” It’s a status symbol. It’s a hug in fabric form. And in the UK, where the weather is miserable nine months of the year and we live in a constant state of “smart-casual” purgatory, the Essentials tracksuit has solved all our problems.
But here is the kicker: wearing an Essentials Tracksuit in London looks very different from wearing it in Manchester or Leeds. From the sticky floors of Pryzm to the marble tables of Mayfair, the fit, the colour, and the vibe change.
Let’s break down how to master the ‘fit, city by city.
Why the Essentials Tracksuit is Having a Cultural Moment (Again)
Before we hit the streets, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.Essentials Tracksuit Why does everyone from your nan’s postman to Stormzy own this?
Fear of God’s Essentials line hit the sweet spot between luxury and laziness. It’s the Kirkland Signature of high fashion—premium materials (heavy cotton, relaxed silhouettes) without the £500 price tag of the mainline collection.
Celebrity influence is massive. When Hailey Bieber runs errands in LA wearing the ‘Oatmeal’ hoodie, and Central Cee wears the ‘Dark Heather’ set in his latest music video, the algorithm goes into overdrive. For Gen Z, it’s the uniform of the “Off-Duty Cool Kid.” It’s gender-neutral, baggy without swallowing you whole, and crucially, it tells people: I have money, but I also value comfort.
City Style Guide: How to Wear Essentials Across the UK
The way you style this fleece changes drastically depending on your postcode. Here is the regional breakdown.
1. London (The Curated Minimalist)
In the capital, you cannot just throw it on. Londoners are fashion snobs (lovingly). If you wear the full matching set with dirty white Air Force 1s, you look like you’re about to ask for a lighter outside a Spoons.
The London Hack: Break the set.
Wear the ‘Black’ Essentials hoodie with barrel-leg jeans or baggy cargos from Acne Studios or ASOS Design. Swap the matching joggers for technical trousers.
Footwear: Adidas Samba OG or the new balance 550s. Never laced up tight—keep them loose.
Vibe: Messy bun, over-ear headphones (Sony XMs or nothing), and a large iced oat latte.
Colour: Taupe, Putty, or Cream. Head-to-toe black is too obvious.
2. Manchester (The Roadman Chic)
Manchester is colder and wetter, but the style is harder. The Manc uniform is utilitarian. You need warmth, but you also need to look like you could jump in a mosh pit at The Ritz.
The Manchester Hack: Layer Up.
Essentials hoodies are thick, but a Manc winter demands a puffer jacket over the top. Think a cropped North Face Nuptse or a CP Company gilet. You want the hood of the Essentials peeking over the collar of the jacket for that “tech-stacker” look.
Footwear: This is Salomon or Nike TN territory. If you see someone in Essentials and clean TNs in Manchester, they run the city.
Vibe: Short back and sides haircut, Silver chain (thick), holding a brolly that’s currently broken.
Colour: Dark Heather Oatmeal or Iron. Light colours get ruined by the rain within 30 seconds.
3. Leeds (The Elevated Comfort)
Leeds is the university capital of the North. The dress code is “going out-out” but make it cosy. The Leeds student scene loves the Essentials tracksuit because it transitions seamlessly from a 9 AM lecture to a 10 PM pres.
The Leeds Hack: Accessorise.
Because Leeds lads and lasses are heading to Bevvies later, the tracksuit becomes a top. Swap the joggers for straight-leg corduroys or a leather skirt (yes, the gender-neutral appeal means girls are stealing boys’ hoodies).
Footwear: UGGs for girls (the Tasman slipper), or Birkenstock Bostons with socks for lads.
Vibe: A DFS sofa in the background, Stanley cup in hand, pre-drinking VKs.
Colour: Buttercup (Yellow) or Seafoam—the TikTok algorithm colours. It stands out against the grey Leeds sky.
The Gender-Neutral Appeal: One Suit Fits All
Let’s give credit where it’s due. One of the biggest drivers of the Essentials Tracksuit boom is the death of “men’s” and “women’s” sections in the Gen Z wardrobe.
The boxy cut of the hoodie and the relaxed taper of the jogger suit literally anyone. A size Small draped over a 5’4″ woman looks intentionally oversized. A size Large on a 6′ man looks structured.
Why Gen Z loves it for this reason:
- No shape policing: You don’t have to suck in your stomach.
- Couples sharing: Buy one ‘Seafoam’ set, and your boyfriend/girlfriend/themfriend can both steal it.
- The “Swiped” look: Dating app photos in an Essentials hoodie get more swipes. Study shows? No. But we feel it.
Style Tips & Fashion Hacks (Upgrade Your Game)
You don’t have to look like you just rolled out of bed (even if you did). Here are three fashion hacks to elevate your Essentials ‘fit.
Hack 1: The Hoodie Tuck
Don’t just let the hoodie hang flat. Take the bottom band and fold it under itself (internal tuck) or cuff the sleeves twice. This creates a cropped silhouette that highlights your sneakers and stops you looking like a child in a sleeping bag.
Hack 2: The Sock Game
Never wear invisible socks with Essentials joggers. The cuff sits just above the ankle. You need mid-crew Nike socks (black or white) to bridge the gap between the jogger and the shoe. It completes the line.
Hack 3: The “Greige” Strategy
Stop buying black. Black fades, shows lint, and looks sloppy after three washes. The Essentials Tracksuit trendiest shade in the UK right now is Greige (Grey + Beige). It looks expensive, hides ketchup stains from the chippy, and works in daylight better than pure black.
How to Spot a Fake (The UK Plague)
We have to address the elephant in the room. Because we are British, we love a bargain. But every market stall in Birmingham and every Depop seller in Glasgow is flogging fake Essentials.
The Dead Giveaways:
- The “ESSENTIALS” print: On a real one, the rubber print is thick, matte, and slightly cracked looking. Fakes are shiny and feel like plastic.
- The ‘Fear of God’ neck tag: It should be a woven rubber patch, not a flimsy sticker.
- The Fit: Real Essentials is oversized specifically. If the hoodie fits you like a normal Topman hoodie, it’s a fake.
Pro Tip: If the price is under £65 for a hoodie, run away. Retail is usually £85–£110. It hurts your wallet, but it hurts your soul less than being called out on the tube.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype? (Spoiler: Yes)
You might think, “It’s just a tracksuit.” But in 2024/25 UK culture, the Essentials Tracksuit is the modern suit of armour.
It bridges the gap between the roadman, the art student, and the CEO on a WFH day. It is the only garment that looks appropriate inside a Mayfair gallery and a Leeds McDonalds at 2 AM.
So, whether you’re braving the drizzle in Manchester, taking the tube to London Bridge, or kicking it in Leeds, grab the Oatmeal hoodie, size up twice, and break the matching set rule.