Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok, walked past a JD Sports queue, or simply tried to navigate a rainy Manchester evening, you’ve seen it. The Essentials tracksuit by Fear of God has officially replaced the classic Nike Tech as the reigning monarch of UK streetwear.
Gone are the days when a tracksuit was just for the estate or the gym. Under Jerry Lorenzo’s reign, the Essentials range has become a symbol of quiet luxury for the skater generation—mixing high-end draping with a price tag that won’t require you to sell your car.
But how does the « Uniform of the People » actually translate across the UK? Does a Londoner wear it differently to a lad in Leeds? Spoiler: Yes.
Here is your ultimate guide to styling the Essentials Tracksuit, city by city, with a little help from your favourite celebs and Gen Z.
The Vibe Check: Why Essentials is a Gen Z Obsession
Before we map the postcodes, let’s talk fabric and feels. The Fear of God Essentials Tracksuit (specifically the SSENSE drops and the core SS23/24 collections) is loved for three reasons:
- The Fit: It’s not tight. It’s not baggy. It’s relaxed. Gen Z has killed the skinny jean, and the tight jersey tracksuit top is next on the chopping block.
- The Rubber Patch: That 3M reflective ‘ESSENTIALS’ logo isn’t just branding; it’s a badge of taste. It whispers (shouts slightly) that you know your drop culture.
- Gender-Neutral Heaven: Let’s hear it for the unisex appeal. The boxy tees and wide-leg sweatpants look just as fire on girls as they do on guys. It’s the ultimate « steal your boyfriend’s hoodie » energy, but intentional.
London: The Layering Masterclass
The Vibe: High-low mix, tube-ready, transitional.
In the capital, you cannot just throw it on and walk out. London weather is a liar, and London fashion is competitive. Wearing an Essentials tracksuit in Shoreditch or Soho requires layering.
Because the hoodie is usually slightly cropped and boxy, London stylists are doing the « Long Coat Hack ».
- The Hack: Throw an olive green Carhartt WIP Detroit jacket or a long stonewashed trench coat over your Essentials hoodie.
- The Bottom Half: Keep the elasticated cuffs on the trousers tight, but wear them with chunky loafers (think Dr. Martens Adrian) or Salomon XT-6s. Trainers are mandatory, but Uggs are for inside only.
- Accessory: A canvas tote bag hanging off one shoulder to hold the iced latte.
Celeb Influence: Watch how Central Cee does it. He rarely wears the full set loud; he breaks it up. Essentials hoodie with baggy denim? That’s the London lottery winner right there.
Manchester: The Monochromatic Mood
The Vibe: Dark, sleek, warehouse-party-to-pub.
Manchester runs on grey skies and concrete brutalism. So, a neon tracksuit? Absolutely not. The Mancunian way is Head-to-Toe Taupe, Clay, or Black.
In Manchester, the Essentials tracksuit is treated like a smart-casual uniform for the Arndale Centre.
- The Hack: Iron the crease out of the trousers? No. Keep the stacking at the ankles. But size down on the top. Manny lads prefer the hoodie to fit slightly sharper on the chest compared to the baggy London look.
- Footwear: This is crucial. In MCR, you see the White Nike Air Force 1 or the New Balance 550 paired with the elasticated cuff. It keeps the silhouette clean.
- Gender-Neutral Appeal: Manchester’s indie scene loves this. Girls are buying the mens XS hoodie, cropping the drawstring, and wearing it as a mini dress with sheer tights and New Rocks underneath. High fashion, low effort.
Style Tip: If you spill a Vimto or a pint of Madri on your beige Essentials hoodie (devastating), don’t panic. A cold water dab and a baby wipe are your best mates. That rubber patch stains easily.
Leeds: The « Hardest Fit » Energy
The Vibe: Status symbol, clout-heavy, statement shoe.
Leeds is a university city, which means student loans and Depop hustles. Here, the Essentials tracksuit is currency. It’s about looking expensive without being Gucci.
In LS1 and LS6, the fit is about contrast.
- The Hack: If you’re wearing the dark oatmeal hoodie, you must wear the matching trousers. Don’t mix colours in Leeds—it confuses the CCTV (joking, but seriously, keep it as a set).
- The Shoes: This is where they stunt. Balenciaga 3XLs or Yeezy 700s are the only acceptable footwear. The bigger the shoe, the smaller the leg looks.
- The Bag: No backpacks. It ruins the drape. Cross-body phone bag (Uniqlo or lululemon) only.
Cultural Trend: Leeds lads love the « Puffer on Top » look. When it hits 5°C, they zip an Essentials puffer over the Essentials hoodie. Double branding. Maximum warmth.
The Celebrity Blueprint: How the Stars Do It
The UK doesn’t just follow US celebs; we have our own mood board.
- Sidemen (JJ/KSI): They’ve moved from Prime hype to full Fear of God rotations. KSI loves the technical fleece in bright white—high risk, high reward.
- Little Simz: The queen of gender-neutral flow. She wears the Essentials shorts with knee-high compression socks and platform Dr. Martens. It’s sporty, but make it Glastonbury.
- Jack Grealish: The footballer aesthetic drives the middle-class dad market. If Grealish wears the pistachio green Essentials Tracksuit to training, expect it to sell out in the UK within 4 minutes.
Fashion Hacks: How to Spot a Fake & Keep it Fresh
Because the UK market is flooded with reps (replicas), let’s keep it 100.
The Legit Check:
- The ‘S’ on Essentials: On a fake, the ‘S’ often touches the ‘L’. On a real one, there’s a tiny, micro gap.
- The Drawstrings: Real ones are thick, flat, and waxed. Fakes are skinny and shiny.
The Washing Hack (Crucial for the UK climate):
- Never tumble dry your Essentials hoodie. The fleece inside will pill and turn into a Brillo pad.
- Wash at 30°C inside out. The rubber logo will crack if you boil it.
- The De-piller: Invest in a fabric shaver from Amazon (£8). After three wears in a damp city like Leeds or London, the thighs on the trousers will look like a peach. Shave them. It looks brand new.
The Verdict: Do You Need It?
If you want to look like you have your life together while actually wearing pyjamas to Tesco, yes.
The Essentials tracksuit has nailed the UK brief: It survives the unpredictable drizzle (wear a gilet over it), it works for the boozer (elastic cuffs mean no wet hems), and it aligns with Gen Z’s love for soft, genderless, logo-driven comfort.
Whether you’re sipping an oat flat white in a London concrete jungle, walking the canals of Manchester, or queuing for the Pryzm in Leeds—size up for slouch, or down for clean. Just don’t zip the hoodie all the way up.
Shop the Look: (Check for the latest Fear of God drops at SSENSE, END. Clothing, and Mr Porter—but be quick, the bots are faster than you.)