The Only Rules of Essentials? There Are None. Here’s How Gen Z Is Breaking Them.

Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok, walked through Shoreditch, or simply tried to look vaguely cool while grabbing a flat white in 2026, you’ve seen it. The boxy hoodie. The wide-leg sweatpant. The muted, clay-toned tee that looks like it costs £400 but… doesn’t.
We’re talking about Essentials by Fear of God.
What started as a diffusion line for Jerry Lorenzo’s mainline luxury brand has become the unofficial uniform of the style-conscious. But here’s the twist: Essentials isn’t just loungewear anymore. It’s a cultural chameleon. It’s the building block for gender-fluid fits, the go-to for airport paparazzi shots, and the ultimate flex for Gen Z, who have decided that comfort isn’t the opposite of chic—it is chic.
So, how do you wear Essentials without looking like you just rolled out of bed (unless that’s the vibe, which is also fine)? Let’s get into it.
The Celebrity Blueprint: How the Stars Do It
You can’t talk about Essentials without acknowledging the A-list army that turned a £90 hoodie into a status symbol. Unlike the logos of the 2010s, which screamed for attention, the Essentials rubber patch whispers.
Hailey Bieber is the patron saint of this aesthetic. She pairs the oversized “Canyon” hoodie with butter-soft leather leggings and pristine white Nike Dunks. The trick? The hoodie is three sizes too big, but the leggings are fitted. Balance.
Justin Bieber took it to the streets (literally). During his Justice tour, he lived in the ‘Cream’ sweat sets, often layering a vintage band tee underneath the hoodie for that grungy, layered length.
And then there’s Kendall Jenner. She proved that Essentials works for high-low dressing. She once wore the ‘Oatmeal’ knit jumper with The Row’s £1,000 wide-leg trousers. The takeaway? Treat the Essentials piece as your neutral anchor; build luxury around it.
Even Rihanna (when she’s not in full metaverse mode) has been snapped in the ‘Sienna’ cargo pants, proving that streetwear and maternity style c