Let’s cut to the chase. If you don’t own an Essentials Tracksuit by Fear of God, are you even dressed? Or are you just wearing clothes?

In the post-lockdown era, the “smart casual” dress code has been respectfully binned by Gen Z and replaced with “Elevated Slouch.” At the centre of this revolution sits the neutral-toned, perfectly-oversized, cloud-like jersey of the Essentials tracksuit. It’s the marmite of the streetwear world—except everyone loves it.

Whether you’re queuing for a bagel in Shoreditch or walking a whippet through the Northern Quarter, the Fear of God Essentials two-piece has become the unofficial uniform of the UK. But here’s the catch: wearing one in London looks very different to wearing one in Manchester.

Here is your ultimate, city-by-city guide to mastering the trendiest (and comfiest) fit of the year.

The Celebrity Seal of Approval: Why We’re Hooked

Before we dive into geography, let’s talk influence. The Essentials tracksuit has achieved something rare: it’s beloved by both The Only Way Is Essex cast and your mate who only listens to underground drill.

Across the pond,Essentials Tracksuit  Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber made it a staple for airport stealth wealth. In the UK, Stormzy has been spotted in the oatmeal hoodie more times than he’s been in the studio. Central Cee practically lives in the core collection between music videos, and Molly-Mae Hague (our queen of neutrals) has styled the beige set with a long wool coat, proving you can wear a tracksuit to a business meeting if you squint hard enough.

The message is clear: this isn’t a tracksuit for the gym. It’s a tracksuit for status.

London: The Layering Game (Shoreditch & Soho)

In the capital, wearing a tracksuit is an art form. You cannot just put it on and leave the house. That’s too chaotic. London style is about aggressive intentionality.

The Vibe: Understated wealth meets drizzle-ready practicality.

How they wear it:
Londoners live by the rule of “Crop & Drape.” The Essentials hoodie is notoriously boxy and cropped at the waist. London stylists pair this with the matching jogger, but they add hardware.

• The Hack: Unzip the hoodie slightly to reveal a thin silver chain or a vintage band tee underneath.
• The Shoe: Forget the chunky trainers. In East London, you’ll see the Essentials jogger tucked into Diemme hiking boots or classic Martens (usually scuffed). For the tube runners, a clean pair of New Balance 550s keeps the dad-shoe trend alive.
• The Layer: It’s raining 60% of the time. Throw a longline technical shell jacket (Arc’teryx or The North Face) over the hoodie. The hood of the jacket goes over the hoodie hood. It looks accidental, but it isn’t.

Colour Alert: London favours Onyx (Black) and Light Oatmeal. Nothing too loud; we have a reputation for being miserable to maintain.

Manchester: The Terrace Twist (Northern Quarter)

Manchester doesn’t do “quiet luxury.” It does “Hard Graft.” The Energy is different up North. The Essentials tracksuit here is worn with a swagger that comes from knowing it’s raining sideways, but you still look mint.

The Vibe: Vintage sportswear meets Balenciaga-core.

How they wear it:
Mancunians size up. If you buy your true size, you’re doing it wrong. The look requires the sleeves to cover your knuckles and the trousers to puddle slightly over the trainer.

• The Hack: Roll the waistband of the joggers once. This shortens the rise and makes the legs stack perfectly over your kicks without tailoring.
• The Shoe: This is where Manchester separates from the crowd. Adidas Samba (classic) or Gazelles are the non-negotiable footwear. In winter, swap for Birkenstock clogs with thick socks (trust the process).
• The Accessory: A beanie (preferably grey or navy). The hair doesn’t matter; the beanie pulls the whole streetwear look together while keeping the heat in.

Colour Alert: Mauve and Eggplant (purple tones) have a cult following here. It’s bold enough for a night out at Warehouse Project but muted enough for a fry-up at Koffee Pot.

Leeds: The Independent Hybrid

Leeds is the dark horse of UK fashion. It blends the roughness of the North with the trend-obsession of London. Here, the Essentials tracksuit is a canvas for individuality because, let’s face it, the suit itself is quite plain.

The Vibe: Student loan drip meets vintage curation.

How they wear it:
Leeds stylists are experts at breaking up the set. Wearing the hoodie and joggers together is seen as a bit “lazy” (we love the honesty). Instead, they split the suit.

• The Hack 1 (Top heavy): Wear the Essentials hoodie with baggy carhartt double-knee trousers and a pair of Asics.
• The Hack 2 (Bottom heavy): Wear the Essentials sweatpants with a vintage rugby shirt (polo collar out) tucked in loosely.
• Gender Neutral Win: The unisex cut is massive in Leeds. Girls are buying the men’s size Small for the dropped shoulder, and guys are buying the women’s straight-leg trouser cut for a sleeker silhouette without the tight ankle cuff.

Colour Alert: Buttercup (Yellow) or Moss (Green) . Leeds loves a splash of colour to fight the grey skies.

Style Tips & Cultural Trends (Gen Z Approved)

1. The “No-Pants” Trend (Kind of)

Gen Z has decided that joggers look best when they don’t look like joggers. Tuck the elastic cuffs of your Essentials trousers into your socks before pulling the sock over the cuff. It creates a parachute-pant effect. It’s weird. It works.

2. The Uni Fit

Tracksuits are for lectures. But to look like you have your life together, do the Monochrome Stack. Wear a tee two shades lighter than the hoodie. If you have a Fawn hoodie, wear a Cream tee sticking out the bottom. It adds a line of contrast that frames the hips.

3. The Date Night Elevation

Yes, you can wear a tracksuit on a date (Coastal Grandma is out, Coastal Scallywag is in). Cinch the waist of the hoodie with a belt bag worn as a crossbody (not around the waist). This creates an hourglass shape for femme fits or a structured mid-layer for masc fits.

Where to Cop (Without Getting Gutted by Resellers)

The struggle is real. The Essentials Tracksuit drops on SSENSE, Mr Porter, and Fear of God’s site sell out in 4 minutes. Then they appear on Depop for triple the price.

The UK Hack:

• END. Clothing (Newcastle/Online) usually holds stock longer than London boutiques.
• Size? often gets a ‘Core’ restock silently. Sign up for their alerts.
• Vinted: Search for “Fear of God 1977” (the collection name). So many people buy the wrong size that you can find BNWT (Brand New With Tags) sets for £80 less than retail. Avoid anything under £50 – it’s a fake, mate.

The Verdict: Why It’s Not Going Anywhere

The Essentials tracksuit has solved a riddle that High Street brands like Nike and Adidas couldn’t: How do you make loungewear feel like armour?

Because it’s gender-neutral, your mate can borrow your hoodie and it looks equally good on them. Because the logos are subtle (just that tiny rubber “ESSENTIALS” patch), it whispers rather than shouts. And because Jerry Lorenzo (the designer) built it for the basketball court, it fits bodies that actually eat carbs.

From the rainy pavements of Leeds to the packed tubes of London, the Essentials tracksuit is the great equaliser. The Prime Minister might not wear one yet (God, can you imagine?), but everyone else does.

So, zip it up, size up twice, and don’t forget your Sambas.