Essentials Hoodies, created by Jerry Lorenzo under the Fear of God label, have reshaped Canada’s streetwear landscape. Known for their soft fleece, bold branding, muted colorways, and effortless layering potential, these hoodies offer “must-have” status for teens, adults, and fashion insiders. In 2025, shopping for an authentic Essentials Hoodie in Canada requires a blend of brand knowledge, retailer savvy, and a keen eye for sizing and seasonal trends.
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The Essentials Hoodie: Background and Features
What is the Essentials Hoodie?
The Essentials Hoodie is the signature product from the Fear of God Essentials line—a more accessible streetwear offshoot of the luxury label. Characterized by oversized fits, heavyweight cotton blends, and minimalist “Essentials” text or “1977” graphics, these hoodies blend comfort with urban flair. They come in classic colors (black, gray, brown, cream) and are praised for high-quality materials and versatile styling for any weather.
Key Style Features
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Heavyweight cotton/fleece construction for warmth and structure.
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Ribbed cuffs/waistbands, kangaroo pockets, and oversized hoods.
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Muted, neutral palette and seasonal drops in limited colors.
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Prominent “Essentials” or “FOG” logo; some feature “1977” graphics.
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Relaxed, boxy fit suitable for layering over tees, sweats, or jackets.
Canada-Specific Sizing and Sourcing Tips
Essentials Hoodies are known to run oversized. Shoppers in Canada often size down for a more fitted look, but many prefer the brand’s roomy, casual cut. Before buying, check the retailer’s sizing guide and customer reviews from Canadian buyers for best results.
Official Essentials stockists in Canada include:
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Fear of God (official Canadian site).
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SSENSE.
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Plusshop.ca.
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Large US/UK or multi-brand sites with Canadian shipping—Flannels, Pacsun, KITH, Walmart Canada.
Where to Buy Essentials Hoodie in Canada
1. Official Online Stores
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Fear of God (EN-CA): Direct access to all new releases, exclusive colorways, and guaranteed authenticity. Seasonal drops sell out quickly—subscribe for alerts.
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SSENSE: Leading luxury fashion marketplace for Canadian shoppers, with free shipping and easy returns. Often features bundled sets (hoodie + sweats) and early access to FW collections.
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Plusshop.ca: Known for authenticity guarantee and local support for order queries and returns.
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Essentialhoods.ca: Fast shipping, regular discounts (up to 50%), and large stock of men’s, women’s, and kids’ Essentials hoodies.
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Flannels: Shipping from UK, valid for Canadians seeking special editions.
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Walmart Canada: Offers Essentials-inspired merch—not always official but suitable for budget streetwear.
2. In-Store Shopping
While most shoppers order online, select boutiques in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Edmonton carry physical stock—often limited to major releases.
Price Ranges and Value
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Official Fear of God or SSENSE: CAD $150-350 (new, season releases).
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Discount sites (off-season or last year’s models): CAD $120-200.
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Walmart/third-party inspired hoodies: CAD $20-50.
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Resale sites (Grailed, StockX): CAD $180-500+, depending on rarity or vintage value.
Most Canadian buyers prioritize authenticity if budget allows; beware counterfeits from unverified sellers or overly cheap listings.
Colorways and Seasonal Drops
The Essentials Hoodie comes in black, cream, heather gray, brown, dark oatmeal, and limited pastel or seasonal shades like marine, olive, or coral. “1977” graphics are popular for nostalgia-driven shoppers. Core colorways restock each year, while limited editions are released in Spring/Fall drops.
Essentials Hoodie for Men, Women, Kids
The hoodie is available as unisex, with sizing from XXS to XXL for adults, and dedicated kids’ styles. Canadian teens and young adults favor “matching sets” (hoodie + joggers/sweatpants) for coordinated street looks.
Brand Story: Jerry Lorenzo and Essentials
Essentials began as a streetwear response to high-priced luxury, ensuring everyone could access Fear of God’s premium finish without the hefty tag. Jerry Lorenzo’s ethos blends faith, simplicity, and statement-making urban fashion—making Essentials the “holy grail” of cool, functional outerwear in Canada.
Canadian Shopping Tips: How to Score the Authentic Essentials Hoodie
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Buy from official retailers (Fear of God, SSENSE, Plusshop) for authenticity.
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Sign up for new-drop alerts—Essentials releases can sell out within hours.
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Check reviews and sizing advice from other Canadian shoppers.
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Beware counterfeits: verify logos, tags, and packaging.
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Watch local streetwear forums for resale deals or trade opportunities.
Sustainable Fashion and Essentials Hoodie
The Essentials brand claims responsibility in production—high durability, timeless design, and less frequent releases mean fewer fast-fashion cycles and waste. Many Canadian fashion writers applaud Essentials for balancing pop culture trends with sustainability.
Styling Your Essentials Hoodie in Canada
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Urban Layers: Pair with sweats, track pants, and Timberlands for Toronto street style.
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Minimalist Chic: Layer over button-downs with wide-leg denim in Vancouver.
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Sporty Edge: Top athletic shorts or joggers, with chunky sneakers, for Montreal casual.
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Cold Weather Tips: Add a parka or windbreaker for layered warmth in Canadian winter.
Popular Alternatives and Knock-Off Warnings
Genuine Essentials merch always features high-grade cotton, robust stitching, and true-to-brand logos. Cheaper options on Walmart and Amazon may mimic style but often differ in fit and durability. For serious collectors, authenticity and limited edition tags are crucial.
FAQs: Essentials Hoodie Canada
Q1: Where can I buy authentic Essentials Hoodie in Canada?
Official sites include Fear of God Canada, SSENSE, Plusshop, and Essentialhoods.ca—plus select boutiques and authorized luxury retailers.
Q2: What’s the average price in Canada?
New Essentials hoodies range from CAD $150 to $350 at official stores, with discounted older releases from $120, and unofficial styles from $20-$50.
Q3: How do I choose my size?
Essentials Hoodies use oversized fits; Canadians often size down for a slimmer look or stay true-to-size for the boxy street aesthetic. Always check the sizing chart and reviews.
Q4: How can I tell if my hoodie is authentic?
Genuine Essentials features premium fabric, robust construction, official tags, and logo placement. Avoid deals that seem “too good to be true” and use trusted retailers.
Q5: Does Essentials release limited editions?
Yes, Essentials Hoodies update their collection each season, introducing new colors, “1977” graphics, and collaborations. Limited releases are highly coveted, often selling out quickly in Canada.
Q6: Are Essentials Hoodies unisex?
Yes, most designs are unisex; adult and kids sizing available for broad streetwear appeal.
Q7: What are the best colorways?
Core favorites in Canada are black, cream, heather gray, brown, dark oatmeal, plus limited seasonal hues like olive, marine, or coral.
Q8: Can I find Essentials Hoodies in Canadian stores?
Select streetwear boutiques stock Essentials, but the largest selection and lowest prices are online.
Q9: How do Essentials Hoodies fit in Canadian weather?
Heavyweight fleece offers warmth for fall/winter, while the soft cotton is breathable enough for cool spring nights.
Q10: Is there a community for Essentials fans in Canada?
Yes, streetwear groups on Reddit, Discord, and local forums share drop info, trade/sell listings, and styling advice.
Conclusion
Essentials Hoodie has carved a place as the “must-own” streetwear in Canada—blending luxury, comfort, and urban cool at an accessible price point. With expanding stockists, seasonal drops, and lasting quality, it remains the go-to choice for teens, adults, and fashion-conscious shoppers in 2025.