Let’s be honest: if you’ve stepped outside in the last 18 months—whether for a Tesco meal deal run or a bottomless brunch in Soho—you’ve seen it. The Essentials Tracksuit by Fear of God is no longer just clothing; it’s a postcode passport .
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 Glasgow, your fit tells a story . We’re breaking down the postcode styling guide for the ultimate neutral-toned hero piece.
Why We’re All 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. 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.
City-by-City Styling Guide
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. 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. Stylists pair this with the matching jogger, but they add hardware. In Shoreditch, you’ll see it paired with chunky trainers, micro sunglasses, and a designer crossbody . West London brings a cleaner approach—think 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. Forget the chunky trainers. In East London, you’ll see the Essentials jogger tucked into hiking boots or classic scuffed Martens .
Colour Alert: London favours Onyx (Black) and Light Oatmeal. Nothing too loud; we have a reputation 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. It’s casual, comfortable, and looks just as good on a match day as it does at a gig .
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 where Manchester separates from the crowd. Adidas Samba or Gazelles are the non-negotiable footwear .
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 .
Leeds: The Independent Hybrid (Yorkshire)
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” . Instead, they split the suit. Wear the joggers with a vintage rugby shirt or the hoodie with baggy Carhartt trousers .
The 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 .
Birmingham: The “Full Kit” Energy
Let’s be honest: Brum doesn’t do half measures. In the Second City, if you buy the Essentials Tracksuit, you wear the full tracksuit. Jacket, hoodie, joggers. All at once .
The Vibe: Coordinated aggression.
How they wear it: Birmingham is where you see the rare “Pistachio” or “Lavender” colourways. The zip-up jacket stays open over the matching hoodie to create a triple-layer effect. Accessories are key—a thick Cuban chain and a cross-body bag are mandatory .
Cultural Trend: With the rise of UK Drill and Grime MCs from Brum, the tracksuit has become armour. It’s respected .
Style Hacks & Cultural Trends (Gen Z Approved)
The “No-Pants” Trick
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 Date Night Elevation
Yes, you can wear a tracksuit on a date. 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 .
The Wash Hack
Nothing screams “student” louder than a bobbly, faded Essentials tracksuit. Always turn your hoodie inside out. The rubber logo is fragile. Wash at 30 degrees with no fabric softener (softener ruins the fleece) .
The Verdict
The Essentials tracksuit has solved a riddle that High Street brands 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 .