Let’s be real. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok, walked past a JD Sports, or simply looked out the window of any city bus in the past 18 months, you’ve seen it. The Essentials Tracksuit by Fear of God has stopped being just “athleisure” and become a full-blown UK uniform.
But here’s the thing: the way you wear your Dove hoodie in Shoreditch is not how you wear it in Manchester. And don’t even get us started on Leeds.
We’ve broken down how the UK’s coolest cities are remixing the ultimate streetwear staple. Whether you’re hunting for that gender-neutral oversized fit or want celebrity-approved styling hacks, grab a brew and get comfy.
Why the Essentials Tracksuit Broke the UK (And Your FYP)
Before we dive into regions, let’s talk about the “why.” Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God Essentials Tracksuit hit the UK market at the perfect time. We were coming out of lockdowns, desperate for comfort, but we didn’t want to look like we’d given up.
Enter Essentials. It’s the Goldilocks of tracksuits:
- Not too scruffy (goodbye, faded Nike joggers).
- Not too try-hard (hello, neutral tones and subtle logos).
- The Fit: Oversized, cropped, and boxy.
For Gen Z, it’s a status symbol without screaming logos. For millennials, it’s an investment piece that feels like a hug. And crucially, it’s gender-neutral – that “one size fits all” vibe is huge right now.
City Style Guides: How the UK Wears Essentials
London (The Layering Pro)
In the capital, practicality meets pure swagger. London weather is chaotic (sun, rain, wind in ten minutes), so layering is king.
- The Look: The “Ecru” or “Oatmeal” hoodie under a long, black technical trench coat. Yes, a coat over a tracksuit. It looks mental, but it works.
- The Shoes: Forget the chunky trainers. Londoners are pairing their Essentials cargo pants with Adidas Samba OG or Gazelles. It gives that retro, pub-on-the-corner vibe.
- The Hack: Tuck the hoodie strings inside the hood. It looks cleaner and stops them flapping about on the Tube.
- Vibe Check: “Off-duty creative.” You look like you just left a gallery opening, not a gym.
Manchester (The Indie Sleaze Revival)
Mancunians do it darker and louder. While London loves beige, Manchester loves Black, Dark Moss, or Buttercup yellow.
- The Look: The full zip-up hoodie (rare in London, common in Manny) worn half-zipped over a vintage band tee. Think Oasis meets Balamii.
- The Shoes: Chunky soles rule. New Balance 550s or a battered pair of Converse Run Star Hike.
- The Hack: Size up twice. No, seriously. If you’re a Medium, buy an XXL. Let the sleeves swallow your hands. It’s cold up North, lads.
- Vibe Check: “Stockport’s finest heading to YES for a night out.” Utility meets attitude.
Leeds (The Luxe Comfort)
Leeds is the underdog of UK street style. It’s cleaner, crisper, and more “Instagram grid” than the others.
- The Look: Matching sets only. No mixing. If you wear the “Silver Birch” hoodie, you wear the Silver Birch joggers. Tuck the bottoms into high-top Nike Dunks or Timberlands (a nod to the bassline scene).
- The Accessory: A classic G-Shock watch and a silver chain. Plus, the obligatory Stanley cup (but we won’t hold that against you).
- The Hack: Steam your tracksuit. Seriously. Leeds lads and lasses look pressed. No wrinkles, no pilling. You want to look like you just took the sticker off.
- Vibe Check: “Sunday roast at a gastropub, but make it streetwear.”
Birmingham (The Pop of Colour)
Brum doesn’t do beige. They do bold.
- The Look: The “Poppy Red” or “Coral” hoodie paired with light-wash straight-leg jeans (controversial, we know) or the matching shorts, even in October.
- The Shoes: Birkenstock Bostons with socks, or Yeezy Slides. It’s all about the slip-on life.
- The Hack: Unbutton the bottom two buttons of the hoodie kangaroo pocket. It changes the drape of the fabric and makes you look 6 feet tall.
- Vibe Check: “Driving a leased German car to the retail park, looking mint.”
Celebrity Influence: Who Made It Cool?
You can’t talk Essentials without the celeb tax. When Hailey Bieber wore the “Sugar” set to grab coffee in LA, the UK pre-ordered it instantly. But locally?
- Central Cee has been spotted in the ’72 Collection hoodie, proving that the tracksuit works for the drill scene just as well as the fashion week front row.
- Stormzy often layers his Essentials under heavy car coats, a look that’s been cloned from Croydon to Coventry.
- Molly-Mae Hague (our queen of the hauls) consistently styles the “Taupe” set with Uggs and a Longchamp bag – the ultimate “running to Pret” chic.
The result? A tracksuit that goes viral every time a new drop hits Mr Porter or Selfridges.
Style Tips & Fashion Hacks (For the Budget-Conscious)
Let’s be honest, £100+ for a hoodie is steep. Here is how to protect your investment and look like you know what you’re doing.
1. The “Cinched” Ankle Hack
Don’t let the joggers bunch up. Fold the elastic cuff under itself by about an inch. It creates a cleaner line over your trainers and makes your legs look longer. Game changer.
2. The Crop It Yourself
If you have a boxy hoodie that’s too long, don’t cut it. Tuck the front hem into the waistband of your joggers or jeans, just a tiny bit. Let the back hang loose. It creates a faux-cropped silhouette that is very high fashion.
3. Cold Wash Only, Babes
British hard water ruins the “washed” effect. Turn your Essentials inside out, wash at 20°, and air dry. A tumble dryer will shrink that £150 hoodie into something fit for a Cabbage Patch Kid.
4. The Hair Tie Trick
Got a heavy hoodie that keeps choking you? Put a small hair elastic on the zip pull (or the back of the neck tag) to weigh it down. It stops the fabric from riding up your throat.
Gen Z Preferences & Gender-Neutral Appeal
The best thing about the Essentials Tracksuit? It doesn’t care about your gender. The “unisex” sizing actually means something here.
- For Masculine fits: Stick to your true size for a classic silhouette, or size up for the “rapper on stage” look.
- For Feminine fits: Go for the “Kids” size (age 15-16) for a cropped, fitted look that costs half the price. Pair it with chunky soles and a slicked-back bun.
Gen Z loves the “No-Brand Brand” aesthetic. In a world of loud Gucci logos, Essentials whispers. It says, “I know fashion, but I don’t need to scream about it.” It’s the uniform for working from home, the library, the pub, and the club.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
Yes. But only if you buy the right colour.
Avoid: Grey (looks like school PE kit).
Invest in: Clay, Ecru, or Black.
The Essentials tracksuit is the new denim. It’s the canvas for your personality. In London, you make it moody. In Manchester, you make it massive. In Leeds, you make it mint. Wherever you are in the UK, zip it up, pull up the hood, and own it.
Shop the Drop: Keep your eyes on Fear of God (via SSENSE or END.) for the next release. They sell out faster than a chippy on a Friday night.
