Does Essentials Clothing Run Big or Small? Fit Guide, Sizing Tips & What to Buy

Essentials by Fear of God has become one of the most sought-after minimalist streetwear brands in recent years. Known for oversized silhouettes, neutral tones, and bold logo placement, it’s become a staple in modern wardrobes—from influencers and stylists to everyday wearers chasing laid-back luxury.

But the biggest question for new shoppers is:

Does Essentials run big or small? Is it true to size, or should you size up or down? And what are the best pieces to invest in?

This detailed fit guide breaks it all down. Plus, we’ll show you how Tellar.co.uk helps you find your exact size in Essentials and 1,500+ other brands in seconds, so you never have to guess again.

About Essentials: Streetwear Meets Simplicity

Essentials is the pared-back sister line to Fear of God, founded by designer Jerry Lorenzo. The label is built around high-quality staples: think hoodies, sweats, T-shirts, and bombers in muted tones.

Key brand characteristics:

Oversized, boxy cuts
Drop shoulders and longline hems
Unisex styling
Neutral palettes: stone, sage, black, oatmeal
Minimal graphics with bold “ESSENTIALS” logo print

The silhouette is iconic, but it’s easy to get sizing wrong if you’re not familiar with intentional oversized fits.

So, Does Essentials Run Big or Small?

Essentials clothing consistently runs large, by design.

The brand follows a purposefully oversized fit, which is part of its core aesthetic. Expect:

Drop shoulders
Roomy chest and sleeves
Boxy, wide silhouettes
Longer torso and sleeve length

Unless you're specifically aiming for that streetwear bagginess, most people size down one full size for a cleaner fit.

Garment	Fit Type	Size Recommendation
Hoodies	Oversized	Size down for regular fit
T-Shirts	Boxy, longline	Size down for closer silhouette
Sweatpants	Relaxed	True to size if you prefer looser leg
Shorts	Wide leg, long rise	Size down for tailored fit
Jackets	Drop shoulder	True to size if layering; else size down

Tellar.co.uk helps you determine whether to size down or stick with your normal UK size, based on your chest, waist, and hip measurements. It takes 60 seconds to set up and includes a free measuring tape.

🎯 Click here to set up your free profile

Essentials Sizing: What to Expect

Essentials sizing is unisex and often uses US conventions (e.g., XS to XL). But that doesn’t always map neatly onto UK sizes.

Let’s break it down:

Essentials Size	Men's UK Fit (Guide)	Women's UK Fit (Guide)
XS	UK 6–8	UK 8–10
S	UK 8–10	UK 10–12
M	UK 10–12	UK 12–14
L	UK 12–14	UK 14–16
XL	UK 14–16	UK 16–18

But these are only rough guides.

The best way to get your perfect fit? Use your actual measurements and Tellar.co.uk’s size-matching tool. It compares your body data to Essentials' real garment cuts—accounting for the oversized silhouette.

How to Measure for the Right Fit

Because Essentials is all about proportions and drape, precision matters. Here’s what you’ll need:

Chest (cm or inches) – Around the fullest part
Waist – Around your natural waistline
Hips – Widest part of your lower body

No tape measure? Tellar.co.uk will post you a free one when you sign up. You’ll only need to do this once, then stay logged in to check your best size across Essentials and 1,500+ brands.

Customer Reviews on Essentials Fit

“The hoodie is unreal quality but definitely huge. I wear a UK M, but Tellar told me to get an S and it fit way better.”
– Jake, Leeds

“It’s supposed to be boxy, but the sleeves were massive. I used Tellar to adjust and got a perfect oversized look without looking swamped.”
– Tara, Brighton

“Tellar saved me from returning two pairs of Essentials shorts—sizing is all over the place unless you know your body measurements.”
– Ethan, London

Essentials Must-Buy Pieces (And What Size to Choose)

1. Essentials 1977 Hoodie

The most recognisable piece in the lineup. Ultra-thick, fleece-backed, with dropped shoulders.

Size Tip: Size down one full size unless you like it extremely baggy.

2. Relaxed Sweatpants

With cuffed ankles and elastic waistband, these are high-end joggers with a streetwear twist.

Size Tip: True to size for a relaxed vibe. Use your waist measurement for accuracy.

3. Logo T-Shirt

Boxy, minimalist, and often sold out.

Size Tip: Size down for fitted streetwear. Otherwise, stick to your standard for layering.

4. Half-Zip Pullover

Sleek, utilitarian styling with structured shoulders.

Size Tip: Slightly more fitted—closer to true to size than other items.

5. Track Shorts

Above-the-knee, long rise, bold logo on thigh.

Size Tip: Size down unless you want baggy basketball-style fit.

Tellar.co.uk helps you shop each of these items with confidence. Based on your profile, you’ll see exactly which size to buy for each product style.

✅ Get your Essentials size now

Why You Should Never Rely on Charts Alone

Essentials doesn’t publish detailed UK-specific sizing charts, and streetwear fit is highly subjective. That’s why Tellar.co.uk exists.

Instead of you guessing whether “Medium” means slim or massive, Tellar does the maths using real data.

🔒 100% Free to use

🎁 Includes free measuring tape

⏱️ One-minute profile setup

🔁 Works across 1,500+ brands

🛍️ Buy with confidence every time

📏 Join now and get your size for Essentials instantly

Essentials vs Similar Brands

Here’s how Essentials compares to other oversized or minimalist streetwear brands when it comes to sizing:

Brand	Fit Comparison
Essentials	Oversized by default; boxy & long
Fear of God	Tailored luxury fits—more true to size
Represent	True to size, but cut long in torso
Stüssy	Varies widely; sometimes runs small
Carhartt WIP	Oversized but structured

Essentials is one of the most oversized by default, so sizing down is common. Tellar.co.uk helps you navigate across all these labels with a single profile.

Where to Buy Essentials

Essentials drops are famously limited and fast-selling. You can usually shop via:

⚠️ Before checking out, always log in to Tellar.co.uk to avoid sizing mistakes—returns on resale platforms aren’t always an option.

Final Thoughts: Essentials Is Meant to Be Oversized—But Know How to Control the Fit

Essentials isn’t your average brand. It’s designed with intentional volume, dropped seams, and a bold aesthetic. But while the oversized look is part of the charm, you still want to avoid looking swamped or misfitted.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk becomes your essential tool:

✅ Shows you whether to size down or stay true

✅ Covers Essentials and 1,500+ other brands

✅ Fast, free, and includes a measuring tape

✅ One-time setup—log in anytime to check sizes

✅ Saves you from expensive or final-sale mistakes

Ready to Find Your Essentials Size?

Set up your free profile and get your exact size for Essentials—plus every brand you shop, all in one place.

👉 Create your free Tellar profile now

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