I wasn’t even shopping for clothes. Honestly.
It was one of those late-night online spirals where you start out looking for something dumb like a new phone cable and end up twenty tabs deep in… hoodies.
Specifically, the Essentials Hoodie.
I don’t even remember what caught my eye first — maybe the colour? Or just the way it looked on the model (you know the type: clean skin, jawline that could slice cheese). But what stuck was the simplicity. No fuss. No flashy graphics. Just a solid-looking hoodie that felt… considered.
So I bought it. Didn’t overthink it. Didn’t tell anyone. Just hit “order now” and went to bed.
I Took the Full Set to Melbourne (and That’s When I Got It)
Here’s what happened: I flew down to Melbourne for a weekend in mid-July. You know Melbourne — four seasons, two coffees, and a wind tunnel between buildings.
Packed the hoodie and tracksuit. Figured they’d be good airport clothes at the very least.
But I ended up wearing the Essentials Hoodie to brunch in Fitzroy, and no one blinked. I layered it under a coat in Carlton Gardens. Still looked solid. I even wore the Essentials Tracksuit pants to a dinner that was slightly fancier than expected — with decent shoes and a tee tucked in — and guess what? Looked fine. Maybe even cool?
It just works. That’s the strange part.
Fast forward a week – it shows up.
We’re in Brisbane, it’s early June. Kind of that weird weather where it’s warm in the sun, cold in the shade. Hoodie weather — but barely.
Pulled it on. The first word that came to mind? Weight.
It’s not like a cotton jumper from Big W. It’s not floaty or thin. The Essentials Hoodie has a bit of heft. Like someone stitched quality into it. Feels like something that’s going to hold shape, not fall apart in two months. The inner lining? Soft, but not that cheap fleece that pills after three washes.
Wore it down to the IGA and back — and I don’t know if it was the cut, or the shade (I got the “Light Oatmeal”), or the fact I hadn’t done my hair but still felt vaguely stylish… but something clicked.
The Tracksuit Thing Wasn’t Planned Either
About a week later, I caved again.
I mean, if the hoodie’s that good, what’s the deal with the pants?
Enter: the Essentials Tracksuit.
Now, to be clear, I’m not a full tracksuit person. I don’t rock around town like I’m in a drill video. But I figured — worst case, these become my go-to for WFH days or quick errands.
They did. But they also became so much more than that.
The Cities Where It’s Been (Spoiler: It’s Most of Australia)
Since then, I’ve dragged the set across more places than I meant to. And it’s held up. Let’s break it down:
- Adelaide: Dry air, light breeze. Hoodie over a tee, perfect for morning walks down Rundle Mall.
- Hobart: Bloody freezing. I doubled up with the hoodie + a beanie, and wore the tracksuit on a wine tour. No one judged me.
- Perth: Sunny most days, but cold wind at night — the hoodie was that sweet in-between layer.
- Canberra: Honestly, a tracksuit just makes sense there. It’s the only city where dressing warm and blending in are the same thing.
- Gold Coast: Hoodie for the mornings, pants for lazy evenings after a swim.
- Sydney: Always in rotation — Bondi, Newtown, Circular Quay. Doesn’t matter. It fits in.
It’s Not Just About Look, Though
There’s something about putting something on and not needing to adjust it every five seconds. The Essentials Hoodie doesn’t ride up weird. The sleeves aren’t floppy. The hood actually sits right on your back when you’re not using it.
Same goes for the Essentials Tracksuit — the waistband is just tight enough, and I haven’t once had to deal with saggy knees or those weird crotch wrinkles that cheap trackies get after one wear.
And mate, I’ve washed both more than I can count now. Cold wash, hang dry — standard. Still looks new. No colour fade. No weird lint buildup.
Reactions From Mates? Surprisingly Positive.
You don’t usually expect comments on hoodies or trackies. But these? People notice. Not in a “loud” way — just quietly appreciative.
Had a mate in Newcastle ask if I was “on that Fear of God vibe.” Another one in Geelong touched the sleeve and went, “Damn, this is quality, aye.”
It’s one of those sets where people assume it cost more than it did. Not because it looks expensive — but because it looks intentional.
Price Tag = Worth It?
Yeah. Let’s address the obvious.
You can get a hoodie and a tracksuit from Kmart for a fraction of the price. But you’ll also be replacing them twice as fast. And you won’t wear them outside the house unless you’re walking the dog or sick.
With the Essentials Hoodie and Essentials Tracksuit, you’re buying longevity. And, low-key, confidence. The “I got dressed but didn’t overthink it” kind of confidence.
Cost per wear? I’m easily in the cents now. Especially since I live in them during winter, autumn, and those weird rainy days that pop up in February.
Fit Tips (Because Sizing Can Be Weird)
Go true to size if you like a snug-but-chill fit. I’m 6’0″, lean build, and a Medium fits clean — not tight, not baggy. Want more room? Size up. Want it cropped? Maybe size down, but be warned — the Essentials line is known for a boxy vibe that works because of the room.
The Essentials Tracksuit pants have a slightly tapered leg, which I love. No flare, no drama. Just clean lines.3
Final Word – What Makes It Stick
Honestly? It’s the way it slips into your life without demanding anything.
The Essentials Hoodie became my go-to because it never fails me — whether I’m heading to the shops in Byron, flying out of Sydney Domestic, or just sitting on the couch catching up on Bluey with my niece.
The Essentials Tracksuit? Same story. It’s reliable. It looks like I put effort in when I didn’t. And that’s kind of the dream, isn’t it?
TL;DR for the Lazy Scroller:
- Tried the Essentials Hoodie → loved it
- Added the Essentials Tracksuit → now I’m deep in it
- Works in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Geelong
- Keeps its shape, washes well, wears better
- Costs more than average, but lasts way longer
Makes lazy dressing look deliberate — and that’s the win
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