Let’s be real. For the longest time, fashion was about shouting. Logo-mania, head-to-toe designer labels, and the kind of outfit that announced your arrival before you even walked through the door.
But somewhere around the early 2020s, the script flipped. The coolest kids in the room stopped shouting and started whispering. And the loudest whisper in the game? Essentials.
Not just the concept of basics, but the brand—Fear of God Essentials. What started as a sub-label under Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God empire has now become a cultural uniform. It’s the sweatpant that gets you into a members’ club. The hoodie that costs £100 but looks like a million bucks. It’s the blurred line between loungewear and luxury.
Whether you’re queuing for a coffee in Shoreditch or touching down at Heathrow after a red-eye, Essentials has become the lingua franca of modern style. So, how did a collection of neutral-toned, elongated silhouettes take over the world? And more importantly, how do you wear it without looking like you just rolled out of bed (unless that’s the vibe, of course)?
Let’s get into it.
THE CELEBRITY ORIGIN STORY
No streetwear dynasty is built without a few famous co-signs, and Essentials has a Rolodex that would make any PR agent weep.
We’re talking Justin Bieber, who practically lives in the ‘1977’ hoodie during his off-duty moments. Hailey Bieber has been spotted countless times pairing the oversized shorts with crisp white sneakers and a slicked-back bun—turning a gym fit into a paparazzi-worthy moment. Then there’s Kendall Jenner, who uses Essentials as the base layer for her quiet luxury aesthetic, and Kevin Hart, who proves that the brand works just as well for a shorter, more muscular frame as it does for a 6’5” basketball player.
But it’s not just the usual suspects. British stars have adopted the look with equal fervour. Stormzy has been seen layering the heavy cotton hoodies under his £1,000 leather jackets, while Jorja Smith often opts for the fitted mock-neck tops, proving that Essentials isn’t just a men’s streetwear brand—it’s a unisex uniform.
The genius of Jerry Lorenzo was getting celebrities to wear it not as a paid advertisement, but as their actual downtime clothes. When you see the most photographed people in the world choosing a £90 hoodie over a custom fit, you know the paradigm has shifted.
THE GEN Z OBSESSION: COMFORT IS THE NEW STATUS
If Millennials were obsessed with the “hustle” and tailoring, Gen Z is obsessed with ergonomics. This generation has rejected the restrictive clothing of the past in favour of pieces that move with them.
Essentials has become the poster child for this movement. On TikTok, the hashtag #Essentials has billions of views. It’s not just about the brand; it’s about the ritual. Unboxing videos show the satisfying weight of the 400GSM cotton fleece. Haul videos debate the difference between “Oatmeal” and “Taupe” with the intensity of a political debate.
For Gen Z, wearing Essentials is a signal. It says: I know what’s good. I value quality and silhouette over garish logos.
- The Minimalist Flex: Unlike the loud Gucci or Supreme logos of the past, the signature ‘ESSENTIALS’ rubberised script is subtle. It’s visible enough for those in the know, but quiet enough to maintain a low profile.
- Sustainability Undertones: While it’s not a “sustainable” brand per se, the ethos of buying high-quality staples that last for years rather than disposable fast fashion resonates deeply with younger consumers who are wary of over-consumption.
STYLE TIPS: HOW TO WEAR IT LIKE A PRO
The beauty of Essentials clothing is its versatility, but the curse is that it can easily look sloppy. Here’s how to avoid the latter.
1. The Oversized Balance
Essentials is renowned for its boxy, oversized fit. If you’re buying your true size, you’re doing it wrong. Most enthusiasts size up for the hoodies to get that exaggerated drop-shoulder look. However, the golden rule is balance.
- Top Heavy: If you’re rocking an XXL hoodie (the ‘Core’ collection is a favourite), balance it with a slim or tailored bottom. Think the Essentials slim-fit sweatpant or even a pair of straight-leg denim.
- Bottom Heavy: If you’re going for the relaxed cargo or the wide-leg sweatpant, keep the top more fitted. A mock-neck long sleeve or a cropped hoodie (a favourite among the female fanbase) creates proportion.
2. The Colour Palette
Essentials is famous for its earthy, almost monochromatic colour theory. You’ll rarely find neon or primary colours here. We’re talking:
- Core: Black, Grey, Oatmeal, White.
- Seasonal: Sage, Mocha, Eggplant, Buttercream.
Pro Tip: Treat your Essentials wardrobe as a capsule. Because the hues are all within the same family, you can literally close your eyes, grab a hoodie and a pair of trousers, and they will likely match. Monochromatic dressing (e.g., all ‘Onyx’ black) is the ultimate hack to look expensive with minimal effort.
3. Texture Play
The only thing that rivals the fit is the fabric. Essentials uses a heavyweight fleece that holds its structure. To elevate the look, mix textures. Pair the matte cotton fleece with something shiny or sleek—like leather Samba trainers, a silk scarf, or a croc-embossed tote bag. That juxtaposition of high and low, athletic and luxury, is the sweet spot of modern fashion.
GENDER-NEUTRAL: THE GREAT EQUALISER
In a world where fashion is finally moving away from rigid gender norms, Essentials is leading the charge. There is no “mens” or “womens” section on the Essentials drop; there is only “apparel.”
This isn’t a coincidence. Jerry Lorenzo designed Fear of God with a unisex philosophy, drawing inspiration from the 90s—a time when women wore oversized men’s rugby shirts and men wore slim-fitting silk shirts.
- For Women: The allure is in the borrow-from-the-boys aesthetic. A size Large hoodie worn as a mini-dress with knee-high boots is a viral look. Alternatively, cinching an oversized trucker jacket with a belt transforms the masculine silhouette into a cinched-waist hourglass shape.
- For Men: The fluidity goes both ways. Men are increasingly embracing the cropped hoodie silhouette, which shows off the waistband of their trousers—a tailored detail borrowed from womenswear. The pastel colourways (think Lavender or Soft Coral) have allowed men to expand their palettes beyond navy and charcoal.
Essentials acts as a sartorial safe space. It doesn’t matter your gender, size, or style background; the clothes are designed to drape the human form in a way that feels universally flattering.
