Fashion trends often begin with celebrities. From red carpets to street style, what stars wear quickly becomes a cultural benchmark. Over the past few years, one item has quietly yet powerfully infiltrated wardrobes of the world’s biggest names—the Essentials Hoodie. Minimalist in design yet iconic in presence, it has become a staple for A-listers, redefining what it means to dress like a celebrity.
This is the story of how the Essentials Hoodie took over celebrity fashion and reshaped the landscape of modern style.
The Rise of Essentials by Fear of God
To understand the Essentials Hoodie takeover, one must look at the brand behind it. Essentials, a diffusion line of Jerry Lorenzo’s high-end label Fear of God, was designed with accessibility in mind. While Fear of God gained fame for its premium craftsmanship and luxury price tags, Essentials was built to deliver the same aesthetics at a more approachable price.
The Essentials Hoodie became the crown jewel of this mission. Its oversized silhouette, muted color palettes, and subtle branding were a breath of fresh air in a market saturated with flashy logos and aggressive patterns. Celebrities—known for balancing exclusivity with relatability—gravitated toward it almost instantly.
Minimalism That Speaks Volumes
Celebrities are constantly photographed, whether they’re heading to the gym, catching flights, or grabbing coffee. For such off-duty moments, they prefer clothes that balance comfort and effortless style. The Essentials Hoodie delivers exactly that.
Its minimalist design allows stars to avoid looking “overdone” while still maintaining an aura of sophistication. Unlike statement-heavy garments that demand attention, the hoodie quietly elevates an outfit. For celebrities, this is a powerful tool: it lets them appear grounded and relatable without compromising their high-fashion credibility.
Streetwear as Celebrity Culture
The rise of streetwear has blurred the lines between luxury and casualwear, and the Essentials Hoodie sits at this intersection. Celebrities helped elevate streetwear from subculture to mainstream fashion, and in turn, streetwear gave celebrities a fresh way to connect with fans.
When stars wear the Essentials Hoodie, they aren’t just making a fashion choice—they’re participating in a cultural movement. It’s a signal that they understand and embody the ethos of modern style: relaxed, inclusive, and rooted in authenticity.
The Paparazzi Effect
A significant driver of the hoodie’s takeover has been paparazzi culture. Celebrities are photographed constantly, and fans scrutinize every detail of their outfits. Essentials Hoodies, with their recognizable yet subtle design, became a recurring feature in these candid snapshots.
Images of Justin Bieber stepping out in an oversized beige Essentials Hoodie or Kendall Jenner pairing hers with bike shorts spread rapidly across social media. These paparazzi shots, far more influential than polished campaign ads, turned the hoodie into a global phenomenon. Fans saw their idols in relatable, everyday outfits and immediately wanted to replicate the look.
Airport Fashion and Travel Uniforms
Another arena where the Essentials Hoodie dominates celebrity fashion is airport style. Stars like Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, and Kanye West have often been spotted in the hoodie while traveling. The oversized fit and soft fabric make it ideal for long flights, while its sleek aesthetic keeps the look polished for cameras waiting at arrivals.
As a result, the hoodie has become synonymous with “travel uniforms.” Fans began associating it with comfort, mobility, and style—the perfect formula for modern living.
Social Media Amplification
While paparazzi photos spark initial buzz, social media cements trends. Celebrities frequently post selfies, workout clips, or casual behind-the-scenes moments in their Essentials Hoodies. These glimpses into their personal lives humanize them while also turning the hoodie into an aspirational item.
For instance, influencers and celebrities alike post #OOTD (Outfit of the Day) pictures featuring Essentials, often tagging the brand. Each post generates thousands of interactions, creating a ripple effect where fans seek out the exact same hoodie. In today’s fashion landscape, virality equals dominance, and Essentials capitalized on this perfectly.
The Genderless Appeal
Another reason celebrities embrace the Essentials Hoodie is its gender-neutral design. Male and female stars alike wear the same oversized silhouettes without worrying about traditional fashion boundaries. This universality makes it especially appealing in Hollywood, where inclusivity and breaking norms are celebrated.
Celebrities like Billie Eilish have built entire style identities around oversized, androgynous pieces. For them, the Essentials Hoodie is not just clothing but an extension of their personal brand. Its versatility allows it to seamlessly adapt across genders, age groups, and aesthetics.
Collaborations and Celebrity Endorsements
Though not reliant on flashy endorsements, the Essentials brand has benefited from organic support by high-profile celebrities. Collaborations with stores like PacSun expanded its availability, ensuring that the same hoodies worn by stars were accessible to fans.
Unlike luxury brands that thrive on exclusivity, Essentials thrives on relatability. Celebrities wearing the hoodie aren’t just endorsing it—they’re embodying a message that luxury can be simple, and high fashion can be comfortable.
Styling Versatility for Celebrities
One of the key reasons celebrities love the Essentials Hoodie is its styling versatility. It can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion:
Streetwear Vibes: Paired with joggers and sneakers for a relaxed, urban look.
High-Low Mix: Styled with tailored trousers or designer handbags to merge casual with luxury.
Athleisure: Worn with leggings, caps, and trainers for an on-the-go aesthetic.
Layering Piece: Used under leather jackets, trench coats, or oversized blazers for editorial-worthy looks.
This adaptability means celebrities can wear the hoodie in countless scenarios without repeating the same style—a crucial factor for people constantly in the spotlight.
The Psychology of Celebrity Influence
At its core, the Essentials Hoodie’s celebrity takeover reflects the psychology of influence. Fans look to their idols for cues on how to dress, and when those idols consistently wear something attainable, it becomes more than a trend—it becomes a cultural staple.
What sets Essentials apart is that it offers an entry point into celebrity fashion without the intimidating price tag. Fans can wear the same hoodie as their favorite star, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. This accessibility amplifies its power in shaping trends.
From Celebrity Closets to Global Phenomenon
What began as a minimalist hoodie has now become a symbol of modern celebrity culture. It captures everything today’s stars want to project: relatability, authenticity, and effortless cool. And as long as celebrities continue to prioritize comfort without compromising style, the Essentials Hoodie will remain their go-to.
Its rise is not just about fabric and design but about timing, culture, and influence. In an era where every candid photo can go viral, the Essentials Hoodie provides the perfect blend of simplicity and impact.
Conclusion
The Black Essentials Hoodie took over celebrity fashion by offering exactly what stars and their fans crave: comfort, versatility, and cultural relevance. From paparazzi shots to Instagram selfies, it has become a mainstay in the wardrobes of A-listers across industries.
More than just a hoodie, it represents a shift in fashion where accessibility and authenticity triumph over exclusivity. Celebrities wear it not because they have to but because it perfectly fits their lifestyle—and in doing so, they’ve turned it into a global fashion icon.
The takeover isn’t just about celebrities embracing the hoodie; it’s about how the hoodie, in turn, reshaped what it means to dress like a celebrity
