So here’s the deal. Everyone’s wearing the Essentials Hoodie right now. Like, you walk through Melbourne, Sydney, even some random uni campus in Brisbane, and boom — you’ll spot one within five minutes. And the Essentials Tracksuit? Same story. It’s basically the unofficial uniform for Aussies who want to look street but still comfy.
But here’s where it gets messy: the sizing. Mate, if you get the size wrong, you either look like a kid who borrowed clothes three sizes too big, or you lose that chilled-out vibe Essentials is famous for. I actually stuffed it up the first time — went too big thinking I’d be pulling off the “oversized” look, and honestly, I looked like a doona cover with legs.
Breaking Down the Essentials Hoodie
The Essentials Hoodie is already oversized. That’s literally how it’s made. So if you’re usually a large, you can drop down to a medium and still look relaxed.
A few things I’ve noticed:
- It’s unisex — same cut for everyone.
- Shorter people get swallowed if they size up too much.
- Tall people? Stay true to size so it doesn’t look cropped.
- It pairs ridiculously well with cargos and chunky sneakers.
When I first wore mine, it felt odd — like boxier than I expected. But after a couple of wears, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is the look.”
Why the Fit Actually Matters
Streetwear isn’t like, “just grab a hoodie and you’re good.” The way it sits on you is the whole thing. The Essentials Hoodie is cut boxy, with those drop shoulders and that cropped-at-the-waist length. It’s not your regular Cotton On hoodie. The Essentials Tracksuit, on the other hand, balances it out — looser top, tapered joggers. If you mess one up, the whole fit looks off.
And let’s not forget Aussie weather is weird. Brisbane’s “winter” is a joke; you’ll sweat in a thick oversized hoodie. Melbourne? You’ll thank yourself for the extra fabric when the weather changes four times in a day.
The Essentials Tracksuit Vibe
Now, let’s talk about the Essentials Tracksuit. Hoodie plus joggers. It looks clean when done right, but off when one half doesn’t match. The joggers taper in, which is key. Not skinny, not baggy, just that in-between.
- Shows off your sneakers (which, let’s be honest, is half the point).
- If you’re in a hotter city, maybe size up so you’re not sweating buckets.
- Works best as a set, but you can split them too. Hoodie with jeans? Still looks good. Joggers with a tee? Also fine.
Sizing Tips for Aussies
This is where location matters:
- Sydney/Brissy: keep it tighter. True-to-size or even size down. Oversized in humid weather = nightmare.
- Melbourne/Tasmania: go oversized. Perfect for layering.
- Perth/Adelaide: somewhere in the middle. Don’t overdo the oversized, but don’t go fitted either.
And yep, sneakers matter. Slim joggers with chunky kicks? Perfect. Bigger joggers with sleeker sneakers? Also solid. Just don’t mix them up.
Mistakes People Make
- Going up two sizes. Don’t do it. Oversized is built in already.
- Hoodie huge, joggers skinny. Looks like two different outfits.
- Ignoring height. Shorter people sizing up too much just disappear.
I’ve seen people on Chapel Street rocking the doona look and thought, “yep, they didn’t read the size guide.”
Quick Checklist Before You Hit Checkout
- Are you going oversized or fitted?
- What’s the weather like where you live?
- Wearing it as a set or mixing pieces?
- Do your sneakers actually match the vibe?
Final Thoughts
The Essentials Hoodie and Essentials Tracksuit are everywhere in Australia because they’re easy. You throw them on, and suddenly you look like you’ve thought about your outfit when really, you just wanted to be comfy. The trick is getting the sizing right.
Once you figure out whether you’re more “baggy streetwear” or “clean casual,” you’ll get why these things are so popular here. And honestly? Once you’ve got one, you’ll probably end up living in it.
