Let’s be real. In the chaotic whirlwind of TikTok hauls, dopamine dressing, and logomania, there is one brand that has quietly (and very loudly) taken over our feeds, our commutes, and our airport ‘fits. We’re talking about Essentials.
Not to be confused with your basic Primark vest top, Essentials—the brainchild of Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God—has become the uniform for the modern minimalist. It’s the perfect intersection of luxury comfort and streetwear edge.
Whether you’re queuing for a coffee in Shoreditch or walking the dog in the drizzle, Essentials has become the backbone of a "put-together" lazy look. But how do you style it without looking like you just rolled out of bed?
We’re breaking down the celebrity influence, the Gen Z obsession, the gender-fluid appeal, and the fashion hacks you need to master the quiet luxury trend.
What Exactly Is Essentials?
First things first: Essentials Fear of God is the younger, more accessible sibling of the high-end Fear of God line. Think oversized hoodies, relaxed sweatpants, cropped tees, and nylon shorts—all stamped with that ubiquitous (and oddly satisfying) "ESSENTIALS" rubberised logo.
It’s elevated loungewear. It’s the hoodie that costs £100 but looks like it costs £500. The magic of Essentials lies in the fit and fabric. The heavy-weight cotton, the dropped shoulders, the elongated silhouette. It hugs just enough in the right places while swallowing you in drape elsewhere.
Celebrity Influence: The Hailey Bieber & Justin Bieber Effect
You can’t talk about Essentials without mentioning the Biebers. Justin Bieber was arguably the brand’s biggest walking billboard during his Changes and Justice eras. He mastered the art of wearing a massive Cream Hoodie with baggy cargos and chunky sneakers.
Then there is Hailey Bieber—the queen of "clean girl" aesthetics. She took the same hoodie and made it sexy. She pairs the oversized beige crewneck with biker shorts and chunky loafers, or throws the FOG-181 sneakers on with a trench coat.
Other notable fans:
Kendall Jenner: Often spotted in the long-sleeve stripe tee with leather trousers.
Travis Scott: Puts a Houston spin on it with snakeskin boots under the cargo pants.
The Kardashians: They’ve basically made the "Sage Green" hoodie a family heirloom.
The takeaway? If you own an Essentials hoodie, you share a wardrobe with the global elite. That’s aspirational marketing that actually works.
How to Wear Essentials: A Style Guide for Every Vibe
Because the palette is usually neutral (taupe, oatmeal, slate, black, and the occasional seasonal pop of purple or moss), Essentials is a chameleon. Here is how to wear it for different scenarios.
1. The Coffee Run (Casual Luxe)
The pieces: Core Hoodie + Sweatpants (matching set).
The hack: Don’t zip up your jacket. Let the hoodie hang out the back. Roll the sweatpants cuff once to show a sock (think Nike Stussy or plain white).
Shoes: New Balance 550s or Adidas Samba.
Accessory: A thin silver chain and a canvas tote.
2. The Date Night (Elevated Streetwear)
The pieces: The Cropped T-shirt (size up for drape) + Wool trousers or tailored shorts.
The hack: Tuck the front of the tee slightly into the trousers. Belt it.
Shoes: Loafers or clean Air Force 1s.
Vibe: "I tried, but I didn’t try too hard."
3. The WFH to Wine Bar (Transitional)
The pieces: The Quarter-zip pullover + Straight-leg jeans.
The hack: Because the quarter-zip is structured, it looks professional on Zoom. Add a leather loafer and a slicked-back bun for the pub after 5 PM.
The Gen Z Preference: Oversized, Genderless, and Anti-Logo (Kind of)
Gen Z has a complicated relationship with logos. They hate "loud" Gucci belts, but they love the subtle flex of the Essentials rubber print. Why? Because it signifies taste.
Why Gen Z loves it:
Digital comfort: It photographs well. The matte textures look expensive on an iPhone camera.
Hype without the queue: It’s easier to get than Supreme drops, but still limited enough to feel special.
Sustainability adjacent: Because it’s neutral and high quality, you wear it 100 times, not 3 times.
TikTok stylist @wardrobebymae sums it up: "Essentials is armour for the anxious. You put it on and you instantly look cool, even if you feel a mess inside."
Gender-Neutral Appeal: One Wardrobe for All
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: fit. The reason Essentials clothing has exploded in the gender-fluid space is that there is no men’s or women’s section. It is unisex by design.
For masc-leaning fits: Go true to size (TTS). You get the intended boxy, athletic drop.
For femme-leaning fits: Size down for a cropped look, or size up two sizes for a hoodie dress.
The non-binary perspective: The lack of tailoring or "cinching" means the focus is on silhouette, not body parts. It allows the wearer to disappear into the shape or manipulate it with layers.
Pro tip from the queer fashion scene in East London: "Buy the same hoodie in two sizes. Wear the smaller one under a blazer. Wear the larger one over your partner’s shoulders."
Fashion Hacks: Making £80 Sweats Look Like £800
Essentials isn't "cheap." A hoodie costs £90–£110. But with these hacks, you can elevate it to look like a collector’s piece.
Hack 1: The Linen Spray
High-end clothing smells high-end. Because Essentials is mostly cotton, it holds scent. Spray a linen mist (think Byredo or Aesop) inside the collar and cuffs. It tricks the brain into thinking the fabric is more expensive.
Hack 2: The Double Cuff
Roll the sleeve of your hoodie twice to reveal the raw edge interior. Then, pull a long-sleeve thermal (preferably grey or white) under it so the ribbing sticks out. Instant layered look.
Hack 3: The Belt Bag Corset
Throw an oversized tee over the sweatpants. Take a thin belt bag (Lululemon or Uniqlo) and cinch it at your natural waist over the tee. This gives the boxy shape an hourglass second life.
Hack 4: The Sock Sandwich
Wear your Essentials shorts. Put on a pair of thin white ankle socks. Then, wear chunky knitted socks (cream or heather grey) pulled up over them. This "sandwich" creates a textured break between the shorts and the sneakers.
Where to Buy (Without Getting Scammed)
Because of the hype, the fakes are good—scarily good. But here is the golden rule: If the price is too good to be true, it’s a replica.
Trusted retailers:
SSENSE (Canada): Best shipping to the UK, frequent seasonal sales.
Mr Porter: The most reliable for authentic stock.
END. Clothing: Based in the UK, they get every seasonal drop.
Pacsun: The US retailer that holds the exclusive "core" collection.
StockX / eBay (Authenticated): Only buy here if you want a sold-out colourway (like the 2022 'Clay' or 'Buttercream').
Avoid: Amazon, Depop private sellers with zero feedback, or random Shopify stores promising 70% off.
The Verdict: Is Essentials Worth the Hype?
In 2026, the "clean aesthetic" isn't going anywhere. If anything, it's maturing. Essentials has survived the rise and fall of Gorpcore and the death of skinny jeans.
The Pros: Versatile, durable, retains resale value, looks expensive.
The Cons: Expensive for sweats, everyone has it (you will wear the same outfit as someone at the pub), and the washing instructions are strict (air dry only, or the hoodie shrinks).
Final take: Buy the hoodie. Buy the shorts. Skip the socks (they’re overpriced). Invest in the Taupe or Oatmeal colourway first—they match everything in your closet.
Whether you’re a Gen Z icon or a Millennial trying to look relevant, Essentials is the great equaliser. It’s the uniform for people who don’t want to think too hard about what they’re wearing, but still want to win the style game.
Now, go forth and conquer the quiet luxury trend. Just don’t spill your oat latte on the hoodie.
