What started as Jerry Lorenzo’s high-street answer to luxury loungewear has become the unofficial uniform of British Gen Z . But here’s the juicy part: depending on which city you’re in, the way you style your Essentials tracksuit changes entirely. Whether you’re dodging trams in Manchester, sipping matcha in Shoreditch, or braving the rain in Leeds, your fit tells a story. Welcome to the postcode styling guide for the ultimate neutral-toned hero piece.
Why We Can’t Get Enough: The "Uniform Effect"
Before we hit the cities, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: why is everyone wearing the same thing?
In an era of “loud luxury” dying and quiet luxury taking over, the Essentials Tracksuit sits perfectly in the middle. It whispers “I have taste” without screaming a budget . For UK students and young professionals, it’s the ultimate dopamine dressing hack. The oversized cuts work for everyone—no “his” or “hers” sections needed—and the post-pandemic comfort economy means we’ve refused to go back to rigid denim . Plus, those earthy tones (Oatmeal, Espresso, Sage) don’t show dirt from the Tube or the bus. Clever, right?
The City Style Guide: From London to Leeds
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 . Think understated wealth meets drizzle-ready practicality.
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 add the hardware . In Shoreditch, you’ll see it paired with chunky trainers, micro sunglasses, and a designer crossbody . West London brings a cleaner approach—monochrome tracksuits with crisp white trainers and a flash of gold jewellery.
The Hack: Unzip the hoodie slightly to reveal a thin silver chain or a vintage band tee underneath . For the shoe, forget the chunky trainers. In East London, you’ll see the Essentials jogger tucked into Diemme hiking boots or classic scuffed Martens. London favours Onyx (Black) and Light Oatmeal. Nothing too loud; we have a reputation to maintain.
Manchester: The "Hard Graft" Terrace Twist
Manchester doesn’t do “quiet luxury.” It does “Hard Graft” . The energy is different up North. Manchester’s fashion scene is deeply rooted in music and football culture—which makes the Essentials Tracksuit a perfect fit . It’s casual, comfortable, and looks just as good on a match day as it does at a gig.
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 Manchester look often involves layering: Essentials hoodie under a puffer jacket, joggers tucked into socks, and retro Adidas kicks . Local influencers and footballers like Marcus Rashford have helped cement the look, making it part of the city’s everyday street style .
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 is non-negotiable: Adidas Samba or Gazelles. Colour alert: Mauve and Eggplant (purple tones) have a cult following here. It’s bold enough for a night out but muted enough for a fry-up.
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 . It’s all about the "student loan drip meets vintage curation" vibe .
Leeds has a knack for making streetwear look completely effortless. Essentials Tracksuits here are often styled with oversized denim jackets or statement coats during colder months . In summer, you might spot people rocking the Essentials shorts version, teamed with high socks and bucket hats . The student-heavy population means the look gets plenty of playful twists—bold trainers, layered chains, and even colourful beanies to contrast the often-muted tones of Essentials .
The Hack: 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—wear the hoodie with baggy Carhartt trousers, or the sweatpants with a vintage rugby shirt. Colour alert: Buttercup (Yellow) or Moss (Green). Leeds loves a splash of colour to fight the grey skies.
Celebrity Influence: The Seal of Approval
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, 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 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.
Gen Z Hacks & Cultural Trends
Gen Z is leading the charge on making the Essentials Tracksuit a cultural must-have. For them, fashion is about identity, inclusivity, and sustainability . The range’s gender-neutral design fits perfectly into that ethos. They’re wearing it oversized for that “borrowed from your mate” look, mixing it with vintage accessories, or even cropping hoodies for a DIY twist. On TikTok, hauls rack up millions of views, proving this isn’t just a passing fad—it’s a lifestyle .
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 .
The Monochrome Stack: To look like you have your life together for lectures, 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 .
Style Hacks to Elevate Your Look
Sure, you can wear it straight out of the bag, but here are some ways to make it pop :
Layer Smart: Throw on a trench coat or longline puffer for instant city chic.
Play with Proportions: Oversized hoodie with slim joggers, or vice versa.
Accessorise Boldly: Think baseball caps, statement trainers, or chunky chains .
Mix High & Low: Pair your Essentials joggers with a luxury handbag or a tailored blazer .
Season Switch: Swap joggers for Essentials shorts when the weather turns warm .
The Gender-Neutral Appeal
One of the reasons the Essentials Tracksuit has soared in popularity is its inclusivity. The minimalist design, neutral palette, and relaxed fit work across all body types and genders . It’s the ultimate shared wardrobe piece—one hoodie for you, your partner, or your best friend. This universality also means the tracksuit sidesteps microtrend fatigue. While neon cargos or micro miniskirts might have their moment, Essentials remains timeless . In Leeds, girls love the “boyfriend” hack—buy the men’s Small, throw it over an Alo Yoga bra, and wear the joggers at the hip (not the waist) .
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 is a goldmine—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 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. Whether you’re sipping an oat latte in East London, heading to Old Trafford for a match, or grabbing brunch in the Northern Quarter, the Essentials Tracksuit just works . It’s proof that comfort doesn’t have to kill style—in fact, it might just be the new definition of it. Minimalist, genderless, and endlessly versatile, it has officially graduated from lazy-day gear to the UK streetwear staple. And if you don’t already own one… well, your wardrobe might just be missing its MVP .
