Let’s be real. For the longest time, the tracksuit was either for PE class, a trip to Asda at 10 PM, or your nan’s “leisure wear” from M&S. But then, Jerry Lorenzo happened.
Enter the Essentials Tracksuit (by Fear of God). It’s the fashion equivalent of a perfect brew: comforting, necessary, and surprisingly complex if you get it wrong. From the grey, drizzly streets of Manchester to the high-stakes window displays of Selfridges London, the Essentials hoodie and matching sweatpants have become the unofficial uniform for Gen Z.
But is it just a hype beast trophy? Or is it the most versatile piece of armour for the British climate?
We travelled across the M62, down the M1, and through the Tube to see how the UK’s coolest cities are wearing the Fear of God Essentials set.
The “Silent Luxury” Vibe (On a Student Budget)
Before we hit the cities, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Essentials is the little brother of Fear of God (FOG). While FOG will cost you a rent payment, Essentials Tracksuit gives you the same architectural silhouette—that slightly oversized shoulder, the cropped body, the hefty zip—for the price of a night out in Soho.
For the UK crowd, this hits a sweet spot. We love a bargain, but we hate looking cheap. The Essentials tracksuit whispers “I have taste,” without shouting “I spent my maintenance loan on this.”
It’s gender-neutral, it’s cozy, and thanks to TikTok, it’s the ultimate “I woke up like this but make it fashion” move.
London: The Layering Masterclass
In the capital, you cannot just throw it on. Londoners are feral for fashion, but they hate looking like they tried too hard.
The Vibe: High-low chaos.
Style Hack: London is wet. So, ditch the trainers. The coolest way to wear Essentials in Shoreditch or Soho is with black leather loafers or chunky Derby shoes and a pair of wet-look socks peeking out.
The Layer: Because the tube is hotter than the sun, but the street is Baltic, Londoners zip their Essentials hoodie halfway, revealing a vintage band tee or a crisp white Oxford collar underneath.
Celebrity Influence: Central Cee didn’t invent this look, but he perfected it. Spotted leaving Hammersmith Apollo, he often pairs a stone grey Essentials set with a puffer gilet over the top and a pair of Nike TN’s. It’s roadman meets royalty.
Manchester: The Indie Sleaze / Rain-Ready Rig
Manchester doesn’t do “precious.” If your clothes can’t handle a drizzle outside Sanskruti or a spilled pint in the Northern Quarter, don’t bring them.
The Vibe: Moody, textured, functional.
Style Hack: Mancunians have mastered the fleece hoodie. Go for the Essentials fleece or the heavy French Terry. The hack? Size up twice. The baggier, the better. Tuck the strings into the hood to avoid them looking like soggy noodles.
Colour Palette: Forget the beige. Manchester leans into Onyx Black, Dark Oak, and Mocha. These colours hide the rain spots and look lethal under the neon lights of Factory International.
Gen Z Appeal: It’s all about the “puddle” hem. The sweatpants should stack over your New Balance 550s or Adidas Samba (yes, still). You want the back of the trouser to kiss the wet pavement. It’s risky, but it’s hard.
Leeds: The Student Bubble & Vintage Mix
Leeds is a university city where the indie scene meets the boxing gym. The streets are packed with students who have a high IQ for streetwear.
The Vibe: Sporty spice meets charity shop.
Style Hack: Don’t buy the matching set. I know, controversial. In Leeds, the flex is owning the hoodie, but pairing it with a pair of baggy, faded, non-essential cargos or vintage Adidas firebird trousers.
Gender-Neutral Heaven: The unisex fit is massive here. Girls are buying the men’s small for the oversized drop-shoulder, guys are buying the women’s straight-leg joggers because they taper better at the ankle.
Cultural Trend: The “Scandi-Gym” look. After a sesh at The Box, students throw the Essentials hoodie over their gym kit. The sweat-wicking fabric (ironically) makes it acceptable to go straight to brunch. No one knows if you just worked out or just woke up.
Birmingham: The Carhartt Crossover
Brum has a heavy industrial heritage, and the streetwear reflects that utilitarian edge.
The Vibe: Chunky, durable, loud.
Style Hack: Bibs and bracelets. Birmingham’s fashion crowd loves the Essentials 2-in-1 Puffer Jacket over the tracksuit. The hack here is accessories. Because the suit is blank, Brummies stack silver jewellery—thick curb chains, signet rings, a vintage Casio.
The Footwear: While London wears loafers, Birmingham steps in Gel-Kayano 14s or Asics. The chunky “dad shoe” balances the puffiness of the tracksuit.
Pop Culture: The influence of Peaky Blinders still lingers. You’ll see a cropped Essentials hoodie worn with a woollen flat cap and a pair of glasses. It’s the “Brum-core” aesthetic—tough meets trackie.
Edinburgh / Glasgow (Scotland): The Thermal Tech Layer
Let’s be honest, an Essentials hoodie alone will not save you from a Scottish “dreich” day. The Scots are pragmatic, and they’ve hacked the system.
The Vibe: Tactical layering.
Style Hack: The Hoodie-Coat. Wear your Essentials hoodie under a long woollen overcoat or a waxed Barbour jacket. The hood (which is massive on these pieces) sticks out the back like a cobra hood. It frames the face and keeps the neck warm.
Footwear: Gore-Tex. Always. No one in Scotland is wearing suede in January. It’s Salomon XT-6s or bust.
Celebrity Influence: Lewis Capaldi has been spotted looking gloriously dishevelled in a washed black Essentials set while getting a kebab. If that’s not the Scottish seal of approval, nothing is.
Style Hacks Every UK Gen Z Needs to Know
You’ve got the suit. Now, how do you make it look £500 instead of £50?
- The “Tuck & Roll” (For the ladies & lads)
Tuck just the front tongue of the hoodie into the waistband of the joggers. It creates an illusion of a shorter torso and shows off your belt (yes, wear a belt over a tracksuit—thank us later). - The Sock Game
Ankle socks are dead. You need crew socks (Nike Elite or Fear of God cotton blend). Pull them over the jogger cuff. This breaks up the silhouette and makes your trainers pop. - The “Office Core” Hack
Wearing this to a hybrid job? Swap the joggers for the Essentials Tracksuit Sweatpants in the straight leg cut (not the elasticated ankle). Add a clean pair of leather trainers (Veja or Axel Arigato). It’s smart leisure. - The Colour Wheel
Stop buying the same beige and cream that looks like a builder’s dust sheet. Gen Z UK is moving towards “Sulfur” (a pale yellow) and “Buttercup” for spring, and “Oxblood” for autumn. Add a pop of colour to the grey landscape.
Why the Essentials Tracksuit Isn’t Going Away
Look, the “clean girl” aesthetic comes and goes. The “scumbro” look fades. But the Fear of God Essentials tracksuit remains because it solves a uniquely British problem: the weather and the vibe.
We are an island that loves comfort but judges laziness. The Essential tracksuit is the perfect medium. It looks expensive without being flashy. It keeps you warm without a bulky coat.
Whether you’re catching the 07:45 to Paddington, queuing for a coffee in Manchester’s Ancoats, or walking the Kelvin Walkway in Glasgow, you will see that familiar rubberised “ESSENTIALS” script across someone’s chest.
It’s democratic. It’s unisex. It’s British.
The Verdict: If you don’t have a set yet, go for the Stretch Limo (black) or Eggshell (off-white). Just remember the golden rule: If it fits you perfectly off the rack, you bought the wrong size. Size up. Always.
