If there’s one outfit that’s managed to straddle comfort, style, and pure cultural coolness, it’s the Essentials tracksuit. What started out as a sleek, minimalist athleisure fit has evolved into a streetwear staple that’s loved by everyone — from celebrities stepping off private jets at Heathrow to uni students in Manchester rushing to lectures.
Whether you’re chilling on a Sunday morning, heading for a coffee run, or flexing at a festival, the Essentials tracksuit has become the UK’s ultimate uniform. But how exactly are people styling it in different cities? Let’s take a trip across the country and see how the Essentials tracksuit is shaping British fashion.
London Calling: Effortless Street Style in the Capital
London is where trends are born, tested, and remixed. Here, the Essentials Ttracksuit isn’t just worn — it’s styled. Londoners take the laid-back minimalism of Essentials and make it fashion-forward with chunky trainers, oversized trench coats, and designer crossbody bags.
In Shoreditch, you’ll spot creatives pairing the grey Essentials tracksuit with vintage sunnies and a pair of New Balance 550s. In Notting Hill, it’s more about blending comfort with luxury: think Essentials hoodie layered under a Burberry trench. Even on the Tube, you’ll see it dressed up with sleek jewellery and statement sneakers.
London fashion tip: Don’t be afraid to layer your tracksuit. Throw on a longline coat, or cinch your hoodie with a belt bag for a street-chic vibe.
Manchester: The Sporty-Meets-Swag City
Manchester has always had an affinity for sportswear, and the Essentials tracksuit fits right into that DNA. With its football-loving culture and thriving music scene, Mancunians rock the tracksuit in a way that feels both sporty and swagger-filled.
Here, you’ll often find it paired with classic adidas trainers or Nike Air Max, topped off with caps or beanies. The city’s rainy weather means locals aren’t shy about styling their Essentials hoodie with waterproof jackets, giving the whole look a rugged, northern twist.
Manchester fashion tip: Mix sports and street. A bomber jacket over your Essentials tracksuit keeps it practical but still sleek.
Leeds: The Gen Z Playground
Leeds has become a student hub, and where students go, Gen Z trends follow. Essentials tracksuits are practically a campus uniform — comfy enough for 9am lectures, stylish enough for hitting the bar afterwards.
Leeds Gen Z-ers love the oversized vibe, leaning into relaxed silhouettes with chunky trainers, tote bags, and even statement jewellery. TikTok fashion hacks, like tucking the joggers into socks and finishing with high-top trainers, are especially popular here.
Leeds fashion tip: Play with proportions. Oversized hoodie with slim joggers? Yes. Cropped hoodie with baggy joggers? Double yes.
Birmingham: Bold, Brash, and Brimming with Attitude
Brum has never been shy when it comes to bold fashion choices. The Essentials tracksuit here often takes on a bolder colourway — beige, khaki, or even the rarer cream tones. Worn with chunky gold jewellery and loud trainers, Birmingham brings a bit of flash to the Essentials minimalist aesthetic.
Birmingham fashion tip: Don’t shy away from accessories. Statement trainers or chunky jewellery take the clean Essentials palette to another level.
Celebrity Influence: From Heathrow to Instagram
One reason the Essentials tracksuit has blown up in the UK? Celebrities. When Hailey Bieber, Justin Bieber, or Kanye West are snapped at airports rocking Essentials, it trickles straight into the wardrobes of fashion-conscious Brits.
Closer to home, you’ll see Stormzy rocking a neutral tracksuit on stage rehearsals, while Maya Jama has been spotted styling hers with heels (yes, heels!) for a cheeky night-out look. Even footballers from the Premier League are swapping their post-training kits for the sleek comfort of Essentials.
Celebs prove one thing: the tracksuit isn’t just loungewear anymore — it’s a status symbol.
Gen Z Loves It: The Gender-Neutral Appeal
If millennials brought back athleisure, Gen Z perfected it — and the Essentials tracksuit is a prime example. Its clean lines and relaxed fit make it gender-neutral, something Gen Z loves to embrace. It’s not about “his” or “hers” anymore; it’s about what feels comfy and looks cool.
In fact, the Essentials tracksuit often pops up in TikTok “fit check” videos, with creators showing how to style the same hoodie in five different ways. From oversized boyfriend vibes to cropped, feminine silhouettes, the tracksuit adapts to whoever’s wearing it.
Fashion hack: Size up for the ultra-oversized TikTok look, or size down if you prefer a sleek, tailored fit.
Cultural Trends: The UK’s Love Affair with Loungewear
Post-pandemic, Britain has fully embraced loungewear as real fashion. The Essentials Tracksuit hit at just the right moment, offering comfort without sacrificing aesthetics. Unlike fast-fashion knock-offs, the Essentials brand carries a sense of “quiet luxury” — understated but instantly recognisable.
In UK cities, this cultural shift means you’ll see the tracksuit everywhere: brunch spots in London, gigs in Manchester, shopping centres in Birmingham, and even airports across the country. What was once “lazy day wear” is now a cultural badge of style.
How to Style Your Essentials Tracksuit Like a Pro
So, you’ve got your tracksuit. Now what? Here are a few hacks for levelling up your look:
- Trainers make the outfit – Go for clean, chunky sneakers like Air Force 1s or Yeezy 700s.
- Layer smartly – A bomber, trench, or even a varsity jacket instantly upgrades the tracksuit.
- Accessorise – Caps, gold chains, and sleek sunglasses can transform the fit.
- Mix colours – Don’t always go for matching sets. A cream hoodie with grey joggers looks fresh.
- Day-to-night transition – Pair with casual trainers by day, swap to statement heels or boots for evening.
Why the Essentials Tracksuit Will Stick Around
Fashion trends come and go, but the Essentials tracksuit has carved out a unique spot. It’s versatile enough for every UK city, cool enough to be celebrity-approved, and comfy enough to win Gen Z loyalty. Its gender-neutral appeal means it doesn’t get boxed into one category, and its minimalist aesthetic plays perfectly into the UK’s growing love for quiet luxury.
From the streets of London to the campuses of Leeds, the Essentials tracksuit isn’t just a fad — it’s a fashion staple. And let’s be real: who doesn’t want an outfit that feels like pyjamas but looks like runway-ready streetwear?
