Let’s be real. For decades, the humble tracksuit had a PR problem in the UK. Mention a “tracksuit” to your nan, and she’ll picture a muddy Gary from Trainspotting. Mention it to a lad in 2012, and you’d hear the distant jingle of a Sovini-branded burglary tool.
But then? Jerry Lorenzo happened.
Enter Essentials (by Fear of God). The brand that took the scally aesthetic, ran it through a Californian minimalist filter, and priced it at “aspirational but not Balenciaga.” Suddenly, the tracksuit isn’t just for the gym or the estate—it’s for the gallery, the coffee shop, and the boardroom Zoom call (top half only, we’re not animals).
Here is how the nation is wearing the Essentials tracksuit, from the cobbles of Manchester to the concrete of London.
The Allure: Why Gen Z Can’t Get Enough
Before we hit the cities, let’s talk about the fabric. Essentials Tracksuit is the Marmite of the hype world—except everyone actually loves it. It’s heavy cotton, slightly cropped, and comes in colours that look like a beige sunset filtered through a vape cloud (Oatmeal, Taupe, ‘Fog’).
Gen Z loves it because it signals status without shouting. You aren’t wearing Gucci logos the size of your head. You’re wearing a subtle “ESSENTIALS” rubber patch that whispers, “I understand proportion and Jerry Lorenzo’s design language.” Plus, it’s gender-neutral. Whether you identify as he, she, or ‘currently avoiding the washing up’, that oversized hoodie fits the vibe.
London: The “Silent Luxury” Commuter
In the capital, the Essentials tracksuit has replaced the business suit on the Northern Line. But you can’t just throw it on. This is London, darling. Everything is a performance.
The Hack: Look for the Black/Charcoal or Ecru colourways.
The Fit: Go one size up for the hoodie, but size down for the sweats (we want a slight break on the Nike Dunks, not a puddle).
The Vibe: Pair it with a long wool overcoat (thanks to the unpredictable drizzle) and some clean Salomon XT-6 trainers. You’re heading to Shoreditch for an oat flat white, but you look like you just stepped off the set of Top Boy (the modern, moody seasons).
Celebrity Clue: Central Cee has been spotted in iterations of this look. It’s roadman-meets-architect. If you see someone in Essentials on Brick Lane, they are either a tech CEO on a “creative day out” or a uni student with excellent Klarna debt management.
Manchester: The “Apres-Pool” (Or Apres-Rain)
Manchester weather is aggressive. You need a tracksuit that can survive a sideways gale outside the O2 Ritz. The Essentials tracksuit excels here because of the weight. This isn’t cheap polyester; it’s a weighted blanket you can wear to Spoons.
The Hack: Go for darker tones. ‘Moss’ or ‘Dark Heather’ hides the inevitable chip shop grease and Northern humidity.
How they wear it: The Mancunian look is baggier. Think 90s hip-hop meets Madchester ecstasy. They let the trousers stack over a pair of New Balance 991s (Made in UK, obviously). The hood is always up, or worn under a bucket hat for maximum stealth.
Trend Alert: Gender-fluid dressing is massive here. Girls are buying the men’s XL hoodie and wearing it as a micro-dress with chunky loafers. Boys are stealing their girlfriends’ ‘Cropped’ Essentials hoodies to show off their waist tattoos. It’s a beautiful, chaotic exchange.
Leeds: The “Business Casual” Flex
Leeds is the party capital and a massive student hub. It’s also where the chav and the hypebeast had a baby. The Leeds lad doesn’t do “scruffy”. The Essentials tracksuit in Leeds is seen as smart casual.
The Style Tip: Never wear the hoodie and joggers as a set unless you are on a train to a match. In Leeds, you break up the set.
- Option A: Essentials Sweatpants + A vintage band tee (Nirvana/Cure) + Birkenstock Bostons (with socks, it’s Yorkshire).
- Option B: Essentials Hoodie + Lightwash straight leg jeans + Air Max 95s.
The Cultural Bit: Leeds has a heavy underground rap scene (think Digga D, but local variants). They’ve adopted the Essentials zip-up (which London mostly ignores) because it’s easier to take off when you get hot inside the HiFi Club.
Birmingham: The “2AM Kebabs & Clean Kicks” Zone
Brum is the heart of the UK, and the car culture here influences the fashion. You aren’t walking much; you’re getting in and out of a lowered Golf R. The Essentials tracksuit here needs to look good sitting down.
The Hack: Focus on the Socks & Joggers ratio. Tuck the joggers into high Nike Elite socks to show off the ankle. This frames the shoe perfectly.
Gen Z Preference: The ‘Buttercream’ or ‘Warm Sand’ hues. While the rest of the UK wears black to mourn the lack of sun, Birmingham brings the warmth. Pair it with a cross-body bag (Uniqlo or similar) and a silver chain. The rule in Brum? If your trainers aren’t cleaner than your conscience, you aren’t trying.
Celebrity Influence & The TikTok Effect
Why is the Essentials tracksuit so ubiquitous? Two words: Justin Bieber.
When Bieber was photographed looking sad but cosy in an oversized Essentials hoodie during his Justice tour, the UK sales spiked 400%. Then came the TikTok “Fits” page. Every influencer realised that an Essentials tracksuit is the ultimate algorithm bait.
- Morning routine? Essentials.
- Flight to Ibiza? Essentials.
- Grocery run to Tesco Express to buy a meal deal? You best believe it’s Essentials.
Even the Royals have gotten a whiff (sort of—Meghan Markle has been seen in neutral athleisure that screams “Essentials dupe”).
Fashion Hacks: How to Not Look Like a Scally
Let’s be honest. If you buy a knock-off or wear it wrong, you go from “fashion icon” to “man on curfew” very quickly. Here is how to avoid the Daily Mail comment section roasting you.
1. The Puddle Jump (Cuffing)
Do not let the trousers drag on the wet pavement of Kings Road. If you are under 5’8″, either get the cropped version or take them to a tailor. Wet, ratty hems are the sign of an amateur.
2. The “Double Zip” Hack
Got the full zip hoodie? Unzip the bottom 2 inches. It creates a drape that frames the waistline and stops you looking like a rectangle. It also lets your chain peek out.
3. No Trainers, No Entry
Do not wear these with sliders. Do not wear them with boat shoes. Essential rule: Chunky sole only. Think:
- Nike Air Force 1 (Pure White or Triple Black)
- Adidas Samba (for the indie kid crossover)
- ASICS Gel-1130 (for the techy look)
4. The Washing Machine Warning
British water is hard, and cheap detergent will turn your £100 joggers into something that looks like a dishrag. Wash inside out, cold wash only, and air dry. Never tumble dry unless you want Essentials Cropped (by accident).
The Gender-Neutral Wardrobe Hero
One of the biggest cultural shifts in the UK right now is the move away from “men’s” and “women’s” sections. The Essentials tracksuit is the poster child for this.
- For her: The oversized fit feels like a boyfriend’s hug, but the dropped shoulders accentuate a silhouette without being tight.
- For him: The soft colour palette (Pink Mist, Lavender) allows men to explore pastels without looking like they are going to a wedding in 1992.
- For them: It simply fits. No buttons, no darts, no gendered nonsense. Just soft, neutral clothes for a neutral Sunday.
Where to Cop (Without Getting Scalped)
Let’s be real—buying Essentials Tracksuit in the UK is a bloodsport.
- Mr Porter: The safest bet. Fast delivery to London/Surrey.
- END. Clothing: Based in Newcastle, global shipping. The queue is virtual and painful.
- Depop/Vinted: The Gen Z hack. Search “Essentials Hoodie worn twice”—you’ll pay £70 instead of £130. Just check the tags for fakes.
- StockX: If you have to. But remember the import fees; they hurt more than a stubbed toe on a coffee table.
Avoid: Amazon. That shiny polyester crap is not Essentials. That is “Essentials” (lowercase, scam).
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
Yes. But only if you live in a city.
If you live in the countryside, your Essentials tracksuit will just get muddy walking the dog. But for the urban UK warrior—navigating the Tube, the tram, the bus, and the boozer—this is the uniform of the 2020s.
It bridges the gap between wanting to be comfortable and wanting to look like you’ve got your life together. It’s the armour of the chilled-out generation.
So next time you see someone in a stone-coloured hoodie staring at their phone in Pret, don’t judge them. They aren’t lazy. They are curating comfort.