Let’s be real for a sec. If your 2024-2025 wardrobe doesn’t contain at least one Essentials tracksuit (you know the one: that perfect ‘FOG’-adjacent, tonal, heavy-cotton dream), are you even dressing for the UK weather?
Gone are the days when tracksuits were just for the estate or the gym. Thanks to a tidal wave of celebrity co-signs, TikTok hauls, and a collective Gen Z pivot toward quiet luxury meets streetwear, the Fear of God Essentials tracksuit has become the unofficial uniform of the British high street.
But here’s the thing: a Londoner wears their Essentials tracksuit very differently to a Mancunian. And don’t even get us started on Leeds.
Let’s zip up, adjust the drawstrings, and take a tour of how the UK’s coolest cities are styling the most important two-piece of the decade.
You can’t talk about the Essentials Tracksuit without bowing down to the celebrity influence. We aren’t just talking about US athletes. Look at the UK grime and drill scenes—Central Cee has been spotted in the ‘Sea Foam’ hoodie more times than we’ve had cups of Typhoo. Skepta mixed a grey Essentials set with a puffer in Manchester last winter, and the internet broke.
Across the pond, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner turned the ‘Ecru’ zip-up into a brunch staple. But for the UK? It’s Jack Grealish in a navy half-zip after a match, or Stormzy keeping it monochrome in Lambeth.
These celebs taught us one thing: the baggy fit is non-negotiable. If it’s not swallowing your hands, size down? No. Wrong. Size up.
Regional style is back, baby. While the whole country loves the buttery softness of a 450GSM fleece, the vibe shifts depending on your postcode.
In the capital, less is rarely more, but editing is everything. Londoners wear the Essentials tracksuit as a base layer, not the main event.
Manchester doesn’t do precious. Up north, the Essentials tracksuit is worn with attitude. It’s rain-proof (ish) and built for the warehouse party that turns into a 6am NQ cob shop.
Leeds is the student capital of the North, and they’ve reclaimed the tracksuit for the library. Here, the Essentials tracksuit meets preppy chaos.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Millennials loved the fitted tracksuit (remember the velour Juicy phase?). Gen Z? We want to swim in it.
The Essentials tracksuit is the perfect storm for the TikTok generation:
The Unspoken Rule: You cannot wear the set together unless you’re going to Tesco or the airport. Wearing the full tracksuit to a dinner date is a faux pas. Split the set. Hoodie with cargo pants, or joggers with a leather jacket.
Maybe the smartest thing about the Essentials Tracksuit line is the sizing. It’s not “men’s” or “women’s”. It’s just clothes.
You’ve got the suit. Now stop looking like you just rolled out of bed (unless that’s the look, no judgement).
1. The ‘Crop & Roll’
*Take a hair tie. Cinch the back of the oversized hoodie to create a faux crop. Roll the hem of the joggers twice to expose your ankle bone. Instant 10/10 proportion.*
2. The ‘Hidden Trainer’
*Because the pants are wide-legged, you can wear the chunkiest platform trainers (we see you, Balenciaga) and look 3 inches taller. No one will ever know.*
3. The ‘Jewelry Hack’
Fleece swallows metal. You need heavy silver. A chunky curb chain or a stainless steel watch breaks up the softness of the cotton. Don’t skip this.
4. The ‘Reverse Layering’
Wear a thin technical shell jacket (like a North Face Venture) under your hoodie, with the hood poking out. It looks chaotic, but trust the process. It’s very Antwerp-meets-Brixton.
5. Depop Dyeing
Found a white Essentials hoodie for cheap but scared of stains? Buy fibre-reactive dye (Dylon – Peacock Teal or Cherry Red). Boil the kettle. You now have a custom piece no one else on your street has.
Let’s be honest. Buying Essentials in the UK is a pain. Between the US import taxes and the bots on drop day, it’s a warzone.
But is it worth it? Yes. Not because of the logo (there isn’t really one), but because of the hand-feel.
This is the tracksuit you live in during the grim January to March stretch. It’s the armour for the wet Tuesday in Birmingham. It’s the flight fit for a cheap Ryanair to Malaga.
The Final Style Tip: Do not wash it after every wear. Air it out. The fabric lasts longer, and the “relaxed” shape stays relaxed.
So, whether you’re striding through Spitalfields, jumping a puddle in the Northern Quarter, or cramming for exams in Leeds—do it in an Essentials tracksuit.
Just remember to size up, accessorise heavy, and never, ever wear the matching beanie unless you’re actually cold.