Introduction

Athleisure clothing has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more people opting for comfortable and casual styles that can be worn both inside and outside the gym. Brands like Lululemon, Outdoor Voices, and Alo Yoga have capitalized on this growing trend, offering stylish workout gear that transitions seamlessly into everyday wear. Streetwear has also risen in popularity, with influential figures like Kanye West and Jerry Lorenzo making laidback hoodies, track pants, and sneakers coveted fashion pieces.

One brand at the intersection of athleisure and streetwear is Fear of God, founded by Jerry Lorenzo in 2012. Fear of God brought a luxury, designer element to casual streetstyle and became a hit among celebrities and hypebeasts. In 2018, Lorenzo launched a more pared-back diffusion line called Fear of God Essentials, focusing on basics like hoodies, tees, and tracksuits. The Essentials Tracksuit quickly emerged as one of the line's most popular and sought-after pieces.

Overview of the Essentials Tracksuit

The Essentials tracksuit from Fear of God is a relaxed-fit velour or nylon tracksuit featuring dropped shoulders, zippered pockets, and ribbed cuffs and hems (1). It comes in a variety of colors like black, gray, brown, and light blue. The full tracksuit set includes both a hoodie and sweatpants.

Some key features of the Essentials tracksuit include its oversized, slouchy fit, double zipper on the hoodie, kangaroo pocket, and cozy velour or woven nylon fabric. It's designed for comfort with a loose silhouette that doesn't cling to the body (2).

The tracksuit is made from premium quality materials like 100% cotton velour or nylon. The velour has a soft, plush feel while the nylon has a shiny, satin-like look. Both provide durability and comfort for daily wear. Attention is paid to details like custom metal zippers and thick, ribbed trims.

The Essentials tracksuit aims to provide luxury quality and comfort at an accessible price point compared to other high-end designer tracksuits.

Founder Jerry Lorenzo's Influence

The founder of Fear of God, Jerry Lorenzo, has had an enormous influence on streetwear and luxury fashion aesthetics over the past decade. After founding Fear of God in 2011, Lorenzo quickly made a name for himself by blending high-end luxury with casual sportswear to create a new laidback, yet premium style (Fear of God). Though Lorenzo had no formal training in fashion design, his unique perspective and eye for combining street style with religion and basketball influences propelled the brand's success.

Fear of God's oversized hoodies, vintage rock tees, and luxury jogger pants epitomized Lorenzo's signature aesthetic. By adding subtle high-end details to casual streetwear staples, Lorenzo made luxury clothing feel younger, cooler, and more relevant to hypebeasts and streetwear fans. This innovative merging of high and low helped disrupt the fashion hierarchy and cemented Fear of God's position as a leading luxury streetwear label (Wikipedia). Lorenzo's designs attracted celebrity fans like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, and Kendall Jenner while also influencing the aesthetics of mainstream brands like Vetements and Balenciaga.

After growing Fear of God through pop-up shops and limited capsule collections, Lorenzo opened the brand's first flagship store in LA in 2018. He also expanded into women's wear, children's clothing, and accessories, cementing Fear of God's status as a true luxury lifestyle brand rooted in effortless West Coast cool.

Why the Essentials Tracksuit is Popular

The Essentials tracksuit has quickly become one of the most coveted streetwear pieces thanks to its effortlessly cool aesthetic and styling versatility. Jerry Lorenzo designed the tracksuit with a relaxed, laidback look that exudes casual luxury. The neutral color palette and minimalist Fear of God branding give it an understated yet trendy look.

The super soft fleece fabric and relaxed silhouette make the Essentials tracksuit extremely comfortable for all-day wear. It provides a cozy, "comfy-chic" feel from premium cotton, polyester, and nylon materials. This high level of comfort combined with the on-trend styling creates the ultimate outfit for running errands, lounging at home, travel, and more.

While the Essentials tracksuit has the luxe quality and design of a high-end designer brand, it comes at a more affordable price point than many competitors. This combination of designer aesthetics and relatively accessible pricing makes it highly coveted among young adults and streetwear fans. It delivers that upscale look and feel without the typically exorbitant designer price tag.

Target Customer

The Essentials tracksuit is designed for young adults, students, and hypebeasts who want both style and comfort in their clothing. According to kickgame.co.uk, the audience for streetwear brands like Fear of God is about 65% male and 35% female, skewing towards a younger demographic. The oversized, laidback fit and aesthetic of the Essentials tracksuit appeals to those looking for a casual, cool look.

As this article notes, the roomy, relaxed sizing makes the tracksuit a great option for those seeking a loose, informal fit. For young hypebeasts who want to rock designer style in a comfortable way, the Essentials tracksuit provides the perfect balance of streetwear credibility and cozy feel. It's ideal for students and young adults who want both fashion cred and laidback loungewear style.

When and Where to Wear the Essentials Tracksuit

The Essentials tracksuit from Fear of God provides a versatile athleisure look that can be worn in many settings for casual everyday wear.

It's designed with premium comfort in mind, making it a cozy choice for lounging at home, running errands, and travel. The soft fleece material and relaxed fit are perfect for long flights or road trips when you want to relax but still look put together. As Jerry Lorenzo highlights, it's "something you can go pick up some milk in" .

Many also choose to wear the Essentials tracksuit to the gym or for workouts. The lightweight construction and stretchy fabric allow a full range of motion. It's an elevated athleisure look compared to basic gym clothes.

For many young adults and students, the tracksuit provides a cool streetwear aesthetic for everyday casual wear. It's a stylish alternative to basic sweatpants when you want to feel comfortable but still look fashionable.

Comparison to Other Tracksuits

The Essentials tracksuit stands out when compared to other tracksuits on the market. While basic tracksuits from brands like Adidas and Nike may be more affordable, the Essentials tracksuit is made from thicker, premium materials for a more luxurious feel and fit. The relaxed, oversized silhouette is also unique to Essentials, giving it a cool streetwear look compared to the classic athletic fit of Adidas and Nike tracksuits.

When compared to other designer tracksuits from fashion houses like Gucci, the Essentials tracksuit is much more accessible and affordable. Gucci tracksuits retail for over $1000+, while the Essentials tracksuit is priced under $300. You get the quality and aesthetic of a luxury brand, without the prohibitive designer price tag.

The relaxed, slouchy fit of the Essentials tracksuit is also unique. While some tracksuits are cropped and shrink-to-fit, the Essentials has an oversized, baggy silhouette for a modern streetwear look. The roomy fit combined with soft cotton and fleece materials makes it an ideal tracksuit for ultimate comfort and laidback style.

Quality and Construction

Fear of God Essentials is known for its high-quality construction and premium fabrics. The collection is made in Portugal and Italy using luxe materials like cotton, fleece, and velour.

Many Reddit users on r/FearofGod have commented that the cotton quality is very good and on par or better than other brands at a similar price point. However, some users felt the stitching could be improved in certain pieces.

The oversized, relaxed fit of Essentials sets it apart from tighter fitting tracksuits. The roomy silhouette provides ultimate comfort while still looking stylish. Essentials is designed for a loose but flattering shape.

Sizing and Fit

The Essentials tracksuit is known for running oversized and large. Many reviewers recommend sizing down for a more fitted look.

According to the Fear of God Essentials Size Guide, the tracksuit has an exaggerated, slouchy silhouette. For reference, a model who is 6'2" and 180 lbs typically wears a size Medium.

The Women's Essentials Fit Guide also provides sizing details. A model who is 5'9" and 120 lbs typically wears a size Small. The oversized fit allows room to layer pieces underneath.

Reviewers across Reddit and YouTube emphasize sizing down 1-2 sizes for a more tailored look. However, you may prefer to stick with your normal size for an ultra-relaxed, loungewear vibe.

Conclusion

In summary, the Essentials tracksuit from Fear of God offers many benefits that make it a versatile and stylish wardrobe addition. The premium quality materials like French terry cotton and nylon provide exceptional comfort and durability. The relaxed, oversized silhouette has a cozy yet laidback vibe perfect for lounging or stepping out.

With Jerry Lorenzo's influence as a leading designer in the streetwear space, the Essentials tracksuit has a coveted style and aesthetic. Yet it remains more affordable than other luxury designer tracksuits. For young adults and streetwear fans looking for both fashion and function, the Essentials tracksuit delivers on all fronts. Its stylish comfort and versatility make it an essential wardrobe staple.