Not Just a Hoodie: Living in the Essentials Collection Across Australia

Some clothes just hit differently. You wear them once, and next thing you know, they’ve quietly taken over your wardrobe. That was me with the Essentials range — no warning, no big plan. Just a hoodie, then a tracksuit, and now? Honestly, it’s the set I live in.

First Encounter — Cold Snap in Adelaide

I wasn’t out looking for new clothes. I was in Adelaide, visiting family. Cold front rolled in, and I had nothing warm packed — just a light jacket and jeans. Rookie mistake.

We ducked into a shop near Rundle Mall. Didn’t expect much. Just needed something to stop the wind slicing through. That’s when I saw the Essentials Hoodie. Off-white, thick cuffs, heavy in hand but not bulky. Tried it on. Instant warmth. Bought it.

That was it. Or so I thought.

From One Hoodie to the Full Essentials Tracksuit

I kept wearing the hoodie back in Brisbane. Wore it walking the dog, then to coffee runs. Then to dinner. Then to work-from-home days. Wore it so often, my partner called it “the uniform.”

A few weeks later, I found the matching pants — the Essentials Tracksuit bottoms. Got the set. Put them on. Regretted not buying them earlier.

They weren’t what I expected. Not too tight. Not too loose. Just right. Clean fit. Big pockets. A waistband that doesn’t dig in, even after lunch. The moment I wore the full Essentials Tracksuit, I knew this wasn’t just another pair of loungewear.

Worn from Darwin to Hobart – Legit Versatile

One of the things that surprised me most? How well does the set work anywhere? I’ve travelled heaps in the past year — and somehow, this hoodie-and-tracksuit combo made it into every bag.

• In Darwin, I wore the Essentials Hoodie at sunrise on a fishing trip. The air was cool, and it kept me warm without overheating.
  
• Down in Hobart, the full Essentials Tracksuit was ideal under my winter coat. Toasty, but not bulky.
  
• Took it to Sydney for a mate’s birthday weekend. Wore it on the plane. Wore it out for brekkie. No one blinked.
  
• Wore the hoodie to the Gold Coast, where I didn’t even need the tracksuit bottoms. It’s become that flexible.

See also: I Tried the Spider Hoodie and Sweatpants Every Day for a Week — Here’s What Actually Happened

Laundry Days Tell the Truth

Cheap clothes don’t survive the machine. But this? The Essentials Hoodie has seen more cycles than I care to count. Same with the Essentials Tracksuit pants. Cold wash, air dry. Still holding shape.

No weird shrinking. No stretched out cuffs. Fabric still feels thick, like it did on day one. I’ve spilled coffee on the hoodie. Sat in the grass with the joggers. Washed it all out, easy. It’s not just comfy — it’s built right.

Looks Put Together Without Trying

Let’s be honest — we all want to look like we made some effort, even when we didn’t. That’s what this nail set is. You throw on the Essentials Tracksuit, and boom — outfit sorted. Looks clean. Feels relaxed.

And the Essentials Hoodie? It dresses up or down. I’ve paired it with jeans and boots for dinner. Wore it over a singlet. Even wore it under a blazer once. Surprisingly worked.

No logos yelling at you. Just simple, solid colours — stone, sand, grey, black. That’s why it fits everywhere from Fremantle to Carlton.

Not Just for One Type of Person

That’s the other thing. You see teenagers wearing the Essentials Hoodie with sneakers. Dads wearing the Essentials Tracksuit to Bunnings. Uni students wearing it to class. It’s not trend-chasing. It’s just good gear that works across the board.

A mate in Perth bought the full set in black. Said it was the first thing he wore to a date that didn’t make him feel like he was pretending. Just confident, but comfortable.

And my sister in Canberra? She swears by the women’s version. Says it fits differently but still feels structured. Loves it for chilly morning walks.

Why I’d Buy It Again

I didn’t expect this to become my favourite thing. But here we are. Would I buy the Essentials Hoodie again? Yeah, no hesitation. Same goes for the Essentials Tracksuit. Might even grab another colour next season.

I’ve spent more on stuff that lasted half as long. What’s the point of saving $40 if the thing doesn’t fit right or falls apart? This set made dressing easier. Made travel better. Made lazy days feel sharp.

Final Thought — It’s Quiet Confidence

That’s probably what sums it up best. The Essentials Tracksuit and hoodie don’t try too hard. They just get the job done. And they do it better than most.

You’re not shouting style. You’re wearing it. There’s a difference.