Essentials, the minimalist streetwear brand under Fear of God by Jerry Lorenzo, has rapidly gained popularity for its clean aesthetic, elevated basics, and premium materials. Among its most coveted items is the Essentials Hoodie — a staple that blends comfort, style, and a high-end casual look. However, one common challenge for first-time buyers and even seasoned fans is getting the right size. With a unique fit that differs from standard sizing, understanding how Essentials hoodies are designed to fit can make all the difference in your overall look and comfort.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about Essentials hoodie sizing, how it compares to other brands, and tips for choosing the perfect fit.
Understanding the Essentials Fit Philosophy
Essentials hoodies are intentionally oversized. This is part of the brand’s DNA, rooted in the relaxed and exaggerated silhouettes popular in luxury and streetwear fashion. Jerry Lorenzo has often cited comfort, drape, and proportion as key elements in his design choices, which translates into looser fits, dropped shoulders, and longer body lengths.
That said, not everyone wants the same kind of oversized look. What feels perfectly oversized to one person may feel too baggy to another. That’s why understanding how Essentials sizing works — and what kind of fit you’re aiming for — is crucial.
Essentials Hoodie Fit: Key Characteristics
Before diving into sizes, it’s important to understand the features of an Essentials hoodie that impact how it fits:
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Oversized Silhouette: Essentials hoodies are not designed to be snug. The body is roomy, the sleeves are wide, and the shoulder seams are dropped significantly.
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Boxy Cut: The hoodie has a boxy fit rather than a tapered or slim shape, which contributes to its streetwear vibe.
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Heavyweight Fabric: The material is thick and structured, which means the hoodie won’t cling to your body but will instead hold its shape.
These characteristics mean that your usual size might fit much larger in an Essentials hoodie than with other brands.
Choosing the Right Size
When picking an Essentials hoodie, the most important step is to consider what kind of look and fit you’re going for: classic oversized, slightly roomy, or more fitted.
1. Go True to Size for the Intended Fit
Essentials is designed to be worn oversized. If you buy your usual size (based on other brands like Nike or Adidas), you’ll get that intended oversized streetwear look. This is perfect if you like layering or prefer a more relaxed fit.
Example: If you’re a Medium in most brands, a Medium Essentials hoodie will give you that trendy oversized look with plenty of room in the body and sleeves.
2. Size Down for a Slimmer Look
If you prefer a more tailored or standard fit without too much bagginess, consider sizing down. This still gives you a relaxed feel but minimizes excess fabric and bulk.
Example: If you’re usually a Medium, a Small Essentials hoodie will fit more like a relaxed hoodie from other brands, closer to a standard streetwear silhouette without being too tight.
3. Size Up for an Extra Oversized Fit
On the other hand, if you’re going for an ultra-oversized, runway-inspired look, you can size up. This is great for those who love layering, or who want a dramatic, fashion-forward fit.
Example: A Medium-sized person opting for a Large or XL Essentials hoodie will get a draped, intentionally oversized style perfect for bold streetwear statements.
Comparing Essentials to Other Brands
It’s helpful to compare Essentials sizing with more familiar brands:
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Compared to Nike: Essentials hoodies run bigger. A Medium in Nike is more fitted, while a Medium in Essentials feels like a Large or even XL.
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Compared to Champion: Champion hoodies are slightly baggy, but Essentials are wider and longer.
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Compared to Uniqlo: Essentials are significantly larger. A Uniqlo Large might fit like a Small in Essentials.
This means if you’re coming from more mainstream or athletic brands, you’ll likely notice a much looser and longer fit with Essentials.
Tips for Getting the Right Fit
To make sure you get a fit that works for your style and body type, here are a few tips:
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Know Your Measurements: Measure your chest, sleeve length, and torso length, and compare them to Essentials’ size chart (available on retailer websites).
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Watch Sizing Videos or Try-On Hauls: Seeing others with similar body types try on different sizes can be very helpful in understanding how a hoodie might fit you.
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Consider Your Styling Intent: Think about how you plan to wear the hoodie. Do you want to layer it over tees or under jackets? Are you going for a streetwear look or something more clean-cut?
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Account for Height: Taller individuals often benefit from staying true to size or sizing up to ensure the hoodie’s length works well, while shorter individuals may prefer sizing down to avoid looking swamped in fabric.
Final Thoughts
Essentials hoodies have earned their place as a must-have in modern wardrobes. But because they’re intentionally oversized and cut differently from most mainstream brands, getting the right size can be tricky. The good news is that there’s flexibility — you can go true to size, up, or down depending on your personal style preference.
Understanding the brand’s fit philosophy and aligning it with your aesthetic is key. Whether you’re Essential Hoodie going for a bold, oversized streetwear vibe or a cleaner, more tailored look, knowing how Essentials hoodies fit will ensure you make a purchase you’re happy with.
At the end of the day, the best fit is the one that makes you feel confident and comfortable — and with Essentials, you’ve got options.
