I’ve had the Essentials Hoodie long enough now that it doesn’t feel “new” anymore. It’s part of the furniture, like the battered mug I drink tea out of most mornings or the scuffed boots I can’t throw away.
I bought it in Manchester. Not planned. I was killing time before a train, ducked into a shop on Oldham Street because the wind was cutting through my jacket. Tried it on. That was it.
I told myself it was a splurge. But I’ve worn it more than anything else I own. And when the Essentials Tracksuit arrived a few months later — black, clean lines, no fuss — it joined the same category: clothes I don’t have to think about.
Mornings in the Hoodie
Some days it’s just the thing I grab because the kettle’s boiling and I’m late. Hoodie, jeans, trainers, out the door.
Other days I build around it. Layered under a heavy overcoat for a walk through Bloomsbury. Worn with tailored trousers when I know the day might end somewhere fancier than it started.
The Essentials Hoodie works for those “four seasons in one day” UK specials — cold in the morning, mild by lunchtime, drizzly in the evening. It holds its own under all of it.
The Tracksuit’s First Trip
The Essentials Tracksuit didn’t get the same slow introduction. First wear was a drive to the Lake District. Hours in the car, a service station stop somewhere near Preston, then straight out for a walk by the water when we arrived. No creases. No fuss.
It’s the sort of set that doesn’t shout “gym clothes” but doesn’t try to be “fashion” either. It just… works. Especially when you’re walking into a pub after being outside all afternoon and you don’t want to feel underdressed.
Snapshots Across the UK
- London, winter: Hoodie under a navy wool coat, scarf wound twice round my neck, walking over Waterloo Bridge in biting wind.
- Liverpool, match day: Full Essentials Tracksuit with a puffer jacket, trainers spotless despite the puddles outside Anfield.
- Brighton, summer evening: Hoodie slung over shoulders, fish and chips on the beach, gulls circling overhead.
- York, rainy morning: Tracksuit bottoms, waxed jacket, standing under the station clock watching the boards flicker with delays.
- Glasgow, autumn: Hoodie layered with a flannel shirt, queuing for coffee while the wind comes straight down the street.
Why They Stick
It’s not just the fabric — though both pieces have that weight and softness that makes you want to keep them on. It’s the way they fit into every version of a day here.
UK life isn’t neat. It’s jumping from the Tube to the drizzle, dodging puddles, sitting in overheated cafes, rushing through wind tunnels between buildings. The Essentials Hoodie and Essentials Tracksuit adapt without you needing a change of clothes.
Wear and Tear? Barely
After a couple of years, they still hold shape. The hoodie’s cuffs aren’t loose. The tracksuit knees aren’t sagging. I’ve washed them more times than I can count — cold, inside out, air dried because my dryer eats cotton alive.
I’ve spilled coffee on the hoodie, brushed mud off the tracksuit, left them both crumpled at the foot of the bed overnight. They’re still here. Still wearable. Still looking good.
Little Interactions
There’s a quiet nod when someone recognises the hoodie. Not everyone does. But the ones who do? They clock it.
A guy in Cardiff asked where I’d got my Essentials Tracksuit while we were both in line for a burger. A woman in Leeds complimented the hoodie in a lift. In Liverpool, my cousin — a lifelong Adidas loyalist — admitted he might get one “for best”.
Mixing Them Up
The hoodie goes with everything: jeans, chinos, cargo trousers, shorts. I’ve worn it under my waxed jacket, my old Barbour, even a blazer once.
The tracksuit bottoms pair with the hoodie, obviously, but also with oversized knits, plain tees, and even a crisp white shirt when I felt like trying something different. That’s the fun of it — they’re plain enough to mess around with.
Side Note on Colour
Mine are both neutral — grey hoodie, black tracksuit. But I’ve seen the cream and stone versions out in the wild and they work beautifully against the muted backdrops of British streets. Greys against grey skies, creams against old sandstone buildings. Subtle, but intentional.
Long Days Out
One of the longest tests was a day trip to Edinburgh. Hoodie in the morning, train north, tracksuit trousers for comfort. Hours walking up and down those hills, weather shifting every twenty minutes. Still fine by dinner.
Or the time I wore the full Essentials Tracksuit on a dawn train to Cornwall. Slept in it, got off at Penzance, straight to the coast for a windy walk. Felt like I’d dressed for it without trying.
Cost Versus Everything Else
People ask if they’re worth it. I think so. I’ve had cheaper hoodies and tracksuits that looked tired after a season. These have survived years. If you think about cost-per-wear, they’ve paid for themselves several times over.
If You’re Thinking About It
The Essentials Hoodie is the easiest entry point. It’ll slot into your wardrobe without changing anything else. The Essentials Tracksuit feels like more of a set piece, but you’ll end up wearing the trousers separately as much as you do together.
Closing Thought
These aren’t “event” clothes. They’re everyday gear done properly. And that’s exactly why they’ve lasted. Whether you’re standing in drizzle outside Manchester Piccadilly or walking the beach in Margate, they just work. No fuss. No drama. Just clothes that keep up.
