I didn’t set out to buy one. Honestly. I’ve already got hoodies — two grey, a black, and one in a green I’m not sure why I bought. But last autumn, I was waiting for a mate outside a Costa in Birmingham and saw this guy walk past in what I later realised was an Essentials Hoodie. The way it sat on him — just the right amount of slouch, sleeves pushed up like he hadn’t thought about it — that was it. Suddenly I was online, “just looking”. You know how that ends.
It’s Not Flash, But That’s the Point
The first thing you notice is what you don’t notice. No huge logos plastered across the chest. No mad neon colours. The branding’s subtle, almost like it’s trying to stay under the radar. Which, in the UK, feels right. We’re not a big “look at me” culture, at least not most of us. We like stuff that looks good without screaming about it.
And that’s probably why the Essentials Hoodie has just melted into everyday life here. I’ve spotted it on teenagers in Liverpool, dads in Cardiff, and even a woman in a sharp camel coat and heels in Canary Wharf — hoodie peeking out underneath.
The Tracksuit Side of Things
Then there’s the Essentials Tracksuit. Whole other story. I grew up when tracksuits were either for PE or for the kind of lads hanging round the precinct. Now? You see the Essentials Tracksuit in cafés, airports, even at casual work meetings. It’s tidy. The joggers are slim enough that you don’t look like you’re off to training, and the matching hoodie makes it look intentional — not like you just threw on whatever was clean.
It’s got this “athletic but I’m not actually sweating” vibe. People wear them with smart coats, leather jackets, even blazers. And weirdly, it works.
Little UK-Specific Perks
One reason the Essentials Hoodie works so well here: it’s perfect for our weather. That unpredictable, can’t-leave-the-house-without-a-layer kind of weather. It’s thick enough for a brisk February morning but light enough that you don’t roast on the train. The Essentials Tracksuit gets the same points — plus it means you don’t have to think too hard when getting dressed.
And it dries quickly if you get caught in a bit of rain. Not full Manchester downpour, obviously, but the usual light drizzle? You’re fine.
How People Wear Them (From What I’ve Seen)
I’ve seen the Essentials Hoodie layered under a North Face puffer on a lad in Leeds. I’ve seen it with cycling shorts and big gold hoops on a girl in Croydon. My cousin wears his with tailored trousers — yes, trousers — and swears it’s “smart casual”. The Essentials Tracksuit, I’ve spotted everywhere from the Tesco queue to first-class on a train to Edinburgh.
It’s not one of those items that only looks good on models or in certain body types. It’s adaptable. That’s the secret.
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Not Just About Fashion
I think what sells it is comfort. We’re all, post-lockdown, a bit more into the idea that clothes should feel nice. Scratchy jumpers are out. Overly stiff jeans? Not if we can help it. The Essentials Hoodie is soft, cosy, and doesn’t lose shape. The Essentials Tracksuit has joggers that stay fitted at the ankle, even after a few washes.
It’s also a piece you can live in. Work from home in it, nip to the post office in it, pop round to see your mum in it. Nobody blinks.
Buying One Without Getting Stung
Rule number one: don’t go for the too-good-to-be-true deal. There are fakes everywhere. If you’re in the UK, stick to places like END Clothing, Selfridges, Flannels — or the official website when it ships here. You’ll pay more, but you get the real Essentials Hoodie or Essentials Tracksuit that actually feels premium.
Second-hand is a shout too — but make sure you know how to spot the tags and the stitching. There’s a whole Reddit thread on it, if you care enough.
A Little Rant on Care
People think hoodies and tracksuits can survive anything. Wrong. If you want your Essentials Hoodie to last, wash it cold, inside out. Same for the Essentials Tracksuit. Air dry — tumble dryers will turn them sad and bobbly. And please, no colour-mixing disasters. Your white hoodie won’t forgive you for chucking it in with a rogue red sock.
Why It’s Not Going Anywhere
Some clothes spike in popularity then vanish — remember those ripped jeans with the ridiculous thigh holes? The Essentials Hoodie doesn’t feel like that. It’s become part of the UK’s fashion baseline. Same for the Essentials Tracksuit. They’re the kind of thing you can wear for years without looking like you’re chasing trends.
I reckon that’s why they keep selling out. It’s not hype anymore — it’s habit.
Final Bit
I didn’t mean for this to sound like a love letter to two bits of cotton, but here we are. The Essentials Hoodie and Essentials Tracksuit just get it right for the UK — the comfort, the fit, the low-key style. You can wear them through all four seasons (sometimes all in one day), they work in nearly every social situation short of a wedding, and they’ll last if you treat them well.
So yeah. I’ve got my hoodie. I’ve got the tracksuit. And I’ll probably get another. Just… don’t tell my bank account.
