There was a time when tracksuits were confined to gym bags and Sunday lounging, but the Essentials tracksuit has rewritten the rulebook. What was once just cosy athleisure has been elevated to streetwear royalty. From A-listers at airports to Gen Z creators on TikTok, the Essentials set is no longer just a comfort-first outfit—it’s a cultural staple that speaks to minimalism, gender-neutral cool, and all-season styling.
So, why is everyone—from Hailey Bieber to your favourite TikToker—living in the Essentials tracksuit? Let’s dive in.
Celebrities Are Doing It First (and Best)
Celebrity influence has always been the ultimate trend accelerator. The Essentials Tracksuit is no exception. Picture Justin Bieber in his oversized hoodie and slouchy joggers, paired with chunky trainers and shades. It’s the kind of low-effort look that screams high fashion off-duty.
Hailey Bieber takes a different route—pairing the tracksuit with sleek hair, leather trenches, or even kitten heels. Bella Hadid’s been spotted styling hers with tiny sunglasses and statement bags, while Kanye West (no stranger to shaping streetwear culture) has long been a fan of the pared-back, monochrome vibe.
When celebs endorse comfort with this much confidence, the rest of us follow suit.
How Gen Z Made It a Lifestyle
For Gen Z, fashion is as much about identity as it is about style. The Essentials tracksuit hits all their sweet spots:
- Minimalist aesthetic: Clean branding, neutral tones, and oversized fits make it endlessly TikTok-able.
- Gender-neutral design: Whether styled masculine, feminine, or androgynous, the fit flatters all.
- Practical but Instagrammable: Comfort doesn’t have to mean sloppy—Gen Z knows that a well-styled tracksuit is just as “main character energy” as a designer dress.
Scroll through #OOTD on TikTok and you’ll see the Essentials hoodie-and-jogger combo paired with everything from New Balance trainers to vintage Jordans. It’s versatile, it’s comfy, and it feeds the obsession with that effortless “I just threw this on” look.
A Gender-Neutral Hero Piece
Unlike tailored suiting or bodycon dresses, the Essentials Tracksuit has universal appeal. Its neutral palette and slouchy silhouette make it the ultimate gender-fluid fashion piece.
For women, it’s the antidote to “try-hard dressing”—throw it on, add a slick bun and gold hoops, and you’re instantly street-style ready. For men, it balances casual ease with enough polish to feel intentional. And for non-binary dressers, it’s a fashion middle ground that doesn’t require choosing sides.
That’s the beauty of the Essentials ethos: inclusivity wrapped in cotton fleece.
Style Hacks: How to Elevate Your Essentials Tracksuit
Worried a tracksuit might look too lazy? Fear not—fashion hacks are here to keep you sharp:
- Layer with outerwear – A trench coat, bomber jacket, or even an oversized blazer adds instant sophistication.
- Play with accessories – Tiny sunglasses, bucket hats, or statement jewellery elevate the neutral tones.
- Footwear is everything – Swap your sneakers for chunky boots or even strappy heels for a night-out twist.
- Bag game strong – A crossbody designer bag or sleek tote transforms “I’m comfy” into “I’m chic.”
- Mix and match – Don’t always wear the set together—pair the joggers with a cropped top or the hoodie with leather trousers.
The secret? Treat the tracksuit as a base layer for styling rather than the entire look.
The Cultural Shift: Athleisure to Streetwear Royalty
The rise of the Essentials tracksuit mirrors a bigger cultural moment: the collapse of strict fashion rules. We’re no longer stuck in the idea that “formal” equals smart and “casual” equals sloppy.
Fashion is now about blurred boundaries. The pandemic normalised comfort as everyday wear, and post-pandemic, that comfort turned chic. Essentials tapped right into this shift—proving that minimalism, quality, and versatility could co-exist in one outfit.
It’s the same reason we’ve seen luxury houses like Balenciaga and Dior leaning into oversized hoodies and relaxed tailoring. Comfort is the new luxury.
Why It’s So TikTok & Instagram-Friendly
If Instagram thrives on aspirational fashion, TikTok thrives on relatability. The Essentials tracksuit does both: it looks effortlessly cool in mirror selfies while also giving “real life cosy vibes” in GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos.
Add to that the neutral colour palette (perfect for curated feeds) and the oversized silhouette (which looks flattering on video), and you’ve got a social media star.
Seasonal Styling: From Winter to Summer
Think the tracksuit is a cold-weather-only fit? Think again. Here’s how it transitions year-round:
- Winter: Layer with puffer jackets, scarves, and boots.
- Spring: Keep it light with a denim jacket and white trainers.
- Summer evenings: Ditch the joggers, keep the oversized hoodie with cycling shorts.
- Autumn: Add a bomber or varsity jacket for that collegiate street vibe.
The Essentials tracksuit doesn’t just work for one season—it works for every season.
Essentials = A Fashion Hack in Itself
Perhaps the greatest appeal of the Essentials tracksuit is how it simplifies life. You don’t need to overthink outfits—throw on a matching set, and you’re sorted. It’s fashion’s version of a cheat code: maximum impact with minimum effort.
Plus, the price point (compared to luxury houses) makes it an accessible entry into high-style streetwear. For fashion lovers who want to look trendy without maxing out their credit cards, it’s a no-brainer.
Final Word: Why the Essentials Tracksuit Is Here to Stay
The Essentials tracksuit isn’t just a passing trend—it’s the uniform of modern fashion culture. Celebrities swear by it, Gen Z made it viral, and the rest of us love it for its inclusivity, comfort, and versatility.
It’s gender-neutral, seasonless, and endlessly styleable. Whether you’re running errands, catching a flight, or dressing it up for dinner, the Essentials tracksuit works hard so you don’t have to.