You know what no one tells you? That the clothes you reach for most aren’t always the ones you meant to love — they’re the ones that just show up for you again and again.
I didn’t set out to fall for the Essentials Hoodie. I definitely didn’t think I’d be a person who praises their Essentials Tracksuit in casual conversation. But here I am, on a rainy Sunday in Melbourne, sipping a long black and writing about a hoodie like it’s a mate I trust.
It Started in Perth — Just a Hoodie… Right?
I was visiting a cousin in Perth last winter. Not known for chilly temps, but the wind caught me off guard. We ducked into a small menswear store in Leederville — not the kind of place you’d expect to change your wardrobe. I just needed something warm to chuck on.
There it was. Cream-coloured. Thick cuffs. Oversized cut, but in a way that felt… intentional. It wasn’t screaming for attention. It just looked like it knew what it was doing.
That’s how the Essentials Hoodie came into my life. I didn’t overthink it. Just put it on, paid for it, and left.
From One Piece to the Full Essentials Tracksuit
Back in Brisbane, something odd happened. I couldn’t stop wearing it.
It wasn’t just that the hoodie was warm (although it absolutely was). It was that it felt right. The fabric, the fit, even the weight — it was like it belonged in every setting. Coffee run? Yes. Gym warm-up? Sure. Date night with sneakers and a denim jacket? Weirdly, yes again.
So when I realised there was a full Essentials Tracksuit, I did what anyone would do — went online and ordered the pants. No regrets. Not even a little bit.
They matched the vibe. Soft but firm. Pockets deep enough for keys, phone, wallet — none of that fake-pocket business. Clean lines. Ankle taper. They made me look like I’d made an effort when I’d done nothing of the sort.
Real Talk: It’s Not Just Loungewear
Most tracksuits? Let’s be honest — they’re lazy. You put one on, and it’s like saying “I gave up today.” But the Essentials Tracksuit is different. It doesn’t scream couch. It whispers style.
I’ve worn it through five states now:
- Darwin — the hoodie for early morning markets
- Sydney — the full set on a 6am flight, felt like pyjamas with polish
- Adelaide — hoodie layered under a puffer for a winery day
- Gold Coast — joggers with slides and a linen shirt
- Hobart — both pieces, plus a scarf, while strolling Salamanca Place
It fits in. It adapts. It somehow knows the brief, wherever you are.
See also: Spider Hoodie & Sweatpants: A Week in the Life With the Streetwear Set Everyone Talks About
People Notice — But Subtly
You know those compliments that start with “Hey, is that…?” That’s what the Essentials Hoodie gets. People don’t always know the brand. They just notice the shape, the tone, the way it hangs. They clock the quality without needing the label.
Even my mate Dan — the type of bloke who wears the same hoodie he’s had since 2012 — asked where I got it. Now he owns the full Essentials Tracksuit in charcoal. Says it’s the first set he’s worn that doesn’t make him feel like a try-hard.
Let’s Talk Durability
Clothes these days aren’t built to last. But this? It’s been 14 months. My Essentials Hoodie has been washed more times than I can count. Still hasn’t lost its shape. Cuffs? Tight. Colour? Clean. Fabric? Better with age.
Same with the Essentials Tracksuit pants. I’ve spilled coffee, sat in grass, climbed over rocks, been rained on — and somehow, they still look newish. That’s the test, right? Not how good it looks on day one. But on day 100.
A Go-To for Every City, Every Season
I’ve worn this set in Canberra’s icy wind, in Melbourne’s four-seasons-in-a-day, even in Cairns, early morning with a breeze off the ocean.
It layers well. Breathes well. Travels well.
- Throw on a jacket in winter
- Pair with sneakers in spring
- Wear just the hoodie on cooler summer nights
- Go full Essentials Tracksuit in autumn and look like you planned it
You get the idea.
Why It Works (Even When You’re Not Trying)
I think what’s great about the Essentials Hoodie and the Essentials Tracksuit is that they give you something rare: effort without fuss.
You can roll out of bed and into the set. Or you can dress it up with a coat and boots and still look like you’re going somewhere. It doesn’t care how old you are, what size you wear, or what part of Aus you’re in. It just works.
And sometimes, that’s all you need.
If You’re Thinking About Buying It…
Here’s my two cents. Skip the cheap knockoffs. Get the real deal once, and stop thinking about it. The Essentials Hoodie isn’t trendy — it’s timeless. And the Essentials Tracksuit? It’s the kind of thing you’ll pack for every road trip, every flight, every long weekend.
Trust me — you won’t regret it. You’ll wear it more than you expected, and probably talk about it more than you meant to.
Kind of like I just did.
