Alright, let me start with something simple. I wasn’t planning to write about hoodies today.
I was halfway through cleaning out my closet when I noticed something funny. There were three of them — all the same style, just in slightly different colours — lined up like soldiers. Beige, black, and that faded concrete grey one. All the same make: Essentials Hoodie.
I paused. Thought about it. And then realised something even funnier — I’ve worn nothing else all week.
So yeah, I figured: screw it, let’s talk about it.
We Never Meant to Start Dressing Like This
Back when everyone was locked down and working from home (remember those awkward Zoom calls with business shirts on top and boxers underneath?), comfort became king. That’s where it all started.
But we didn’t just want to live in old trackies and faded uni jumpers anymore. We wanted comfort that didn’t feel like we gave up.
Enter: Essentials Hoodie. The kind of hoodie that says, “I care a little, but not too much.”
It snuck into Aussie fashion the way avo toast snuck onto every café menu: quietly, smooth, effortlessly.
From Bondi to Brunswick, It’s Everywhere Now
I travel between cities a bit — nothing fancy, mostly work. Sydney last month, Melbourne two weeks ago, and I’m heading to Brisbane next week. And I’ve started noticing a pattern.
You walk into a coffee shop in Surry Hills — boom, Essentials. Wander down Gertrude Street in Fitzroy — Essentials again. Even at the airport, half the people boarding my Jetstar flight were rocking a full Essentials Tracksuit.
It’s not just in the “fashionable” suburbs either. Perth’s beachside cafes? Yup. Adelaide’s UniSA campus? Spotted one there too.
And here’s the thing — no one’s trying to show off. They’re not flexing. They’re just wearing what makes sense. It’s like the Aussie uniform now.
So, What Is the Essentials Hoodie Anyway?
If you’ve been living under a rock (or just on a tight budget — no judgement), the Essentials Hoodie is made by Fear of God’s diffusion label, “Essentials.” It’s oversized, neutral-toned, and deliberately simple.
No massive graphics. No weird text. Just clean lines and a small logo — sometimes embossed, sometimes printed low-key on the chest or back.
It’s the kind of hoodie that works in any city, any season, and on pretty much any body type. It drapes well. That’s part of its charm.
And Don’t Even Get Me Started on the Essentials Tracksuit
Honestly, if you’ve already got the hoodie, you may as well go full cult member and grab the Essentials Tracksuit set. The joggers are just as clean — same muted colours, same fit that’s slouchy without looking sloppy.
I’ve worn mine on flights, to the movies, even to dinner once (though it was just pub food, nothing too dressy). Nobody batted an eye.
In Melbourne, I saw a girl pair hers with a vintage trench and Docs — looked incredible. In Brisbane, it was more shorts and slides with the hoodie up top. The same set, worn five different ways in five different places.
That’s kind of the magic.
Aussie Cities Have Their Own Essentials Style
Sydney: Athletic, but Make It Fashion
Let’s be honest — Sydney’s full of people who look like they just left a yoga class or are heading to a shoot. The Essentials Hoodie fits in perfectly. You’ll see it in Bondi on someone drinking an $8 green juice, or in the CBD layered under a blazer for that “model off duty” vibe.
And the Essentials Tracksuit? Don’t be surprised if someone rocks the full set into a co-working space or café with a laptop, earbuds in, and a keep cup that matches.
Melbourne: Creative Chaos, But Make It Clean
Now Melbourne, they’re the kings of layering. You’ll see the hoodie worn under flannel, over turtlenecks, or matched with flared pants. It’s more artsy, more experimental — but the Essentials Hoodie still fits right in.
The Essentials Tracksuit in Melbourne is low-key art kid gear. Oversized tote bag, beanie, second-hand jacket, and you’ve got a fit. It’s chill, but in that calculated, curated way only Melbournians can pull off.
Brisbane: Laid-Back, Light, and Ready for Anything
In Brisbane, people like to keep it simple. With the weather being warmer most of the year, the hoodie acts more like a light throw-on for cooler evenings or breezy mornings.
It’s the kind of thing you toss on before walking the dog or heading to Woolies. The Essentials Tracksuit? You’ll see it around uni campuses, footy fields, or just parked on a bench with mates sharing hot chips.
Perth: Understated but Unapologetic
Perth style is beachy, yes, but also surprisingly trend-aware. The Essentials Hoodie doesn’t scream for attention, and that’s why it works here. You can chuck it on after a surf or wear it to the pub.
The Essentials Tracksuit is all over casual streetwear scenes in Perth. Not in your face — but always there, always solid.
Adelaide: Neat, Neutral, and Under Control
Adelaide’s got that quiet confidence. People dress like they know what looks good without overdoing it. You’ll see the hoodie paired with chinos or crisp sneakers. It’s clean, it’s minimal, it’s Adelaide.
As for the Essentials Tracksuit, it’s there — but toned down. Not flashy. Just well put-together. Kind of like the city itself.
Where Are Aussies Buying This Stuff?
Mostly online. Let’s not pretend we all have boutiques selling Essentials in the suburbs. People are using SSENSE, END, StockX, or smaller local streetwear resellers. I know someone who uses a forwarding service from the US just to get specific sizes during limited drops.
If you’re lucky, a few Sydney or Melbourne shops might stock a drop — but don’t expect it to sit on shelves for long.
Why It Works — And Why It’s Not Going Away Anytime Soon
If I had to sum it up?
The Essentials Hoodie and Essentials Tracksuit hit the sweet spot: stylish without being loud, comfy without looking like PJs. They work across age groups, genders, cities, and lifestyles. And in a world where most of us are juggling work, social life, and a constant low-level urge to nap — clothes like this just make sense.
Final Thoughts: Essentials Isn’t a Phase — It’s a Solution
At first, I thought it was a trend. Just another wave of hype from the States. But here we are, years in, and the Essentials Hoodie still sells out. The Essentials Tracksuit is still all over Instagram. And people aren’t getting bored — they’re just buying new colours.
So maybe it’s not hype. Maybe we just found something that works — and for once, we all agree on it.
And if that means I end up buying hoodie number four in some shade of dusty olive this winter… well, don’t judge me.
