Fear of God vs. Essentials: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Fear of God is a high-end luxury streetwear brand defined by avant-garde designs and premium materials, while its offshoot, Essentials, offers a similar modern aesthetic in the form of versatile wardrobe basics at a much more accessible price point. The core difference lies in their mission: Fear of God creates exclusive, fashion-forward statement pieces while Essentials provides high-quality, minimalist staples for everyday wear.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your style and budget.

Fear of God: The Pinnacle of Luxury Streetwear

Founded by Jerry Lorenzo in 2013, Fear of God has cemented its status as a leader in the luxury streetwear space. The brand is known for blending high-fashion craftsmanship with casual, athletic-inspired silhouettes. Its target audience consists of fashion enthusiasts who are willing to invest in impeccably crafted, unique pieces that feature subtle branding, innovative fabrics, and a distinctively modern and edgy look.

• Product mix: The main collection focuses on statement pieces like elongated hoodies, Japanese selvedge denim, tailored jackets, and luxurious sneakers. Each item is designed to be a standout piece in a thoughtfully constructed wardrobe.
• Price point: As a luxury brand, pricing is high. T-shirts start around $300, hoodies are often $950+, and sneakers can range from $700 to over $1,200. These are investment pieces designed for longevity.
• Quality & Materials: Fear of God uses top-tier materials sourced from around the world, including Italian wool, premium cotton, and high-end leathers. The focus is on meticulous construction and durability.
• Fit & Sizing: Known for an intentional oversized and layered silhouette. Most pieces run large, and many customers opt to size down for a fit that is less voluminous while still maintaining a relaxed feel.
• Where to Buy: Sold exclusively through its own boutiques, the official website, and elite department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, enhancing its exclusive feel.

Fear of God is ideal for those who see clothing as an investment and want exclusive, high-fashion pieces that blend craftsmanship with a modern streetwear sensibility.

Shop Fear of God: fearofgod.com

Essentials: The Foundation of Modern Wardrobes

Launched in 2018, Essentials was created to make Fear of God's contemporary aesthetic accessible to a much wider audience. The brand focuses on clean, minimalist, and versatile basics that serve as the building blocks of a modern closet. It targets younger consumers and anyone looking for stylish, comfortable, and high-quality staples without the luxury price tag.

• Product mix: The collection consists exclusively of wardrobe foundations: hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts, joggers, and shorts. The color palette is consistently neutral and easy to style.
• Price point: Items are significantly more affordable, generally ranging from $40 for a t-shirt to $150 for outerwear. This price point makes it possible to build a full wardrobe with its pieces.
• Quality & Materials: While not at the luxury level of the mainline, Essentials uses durable, comfortable materials like heavyweight cotton and brushed fleece, offering excellent quality and feel for the price.
• Fit & Sizing: The fit is relaxed and comfortable but is generally considered more true-to-size than Fear of God. Sizing is straightforward for most shoppers and is designed for easy, everyday wear.
• Where to Buy: Available through its dedicated section on the Fear of God website, and widely sold at partner retailers like PacSun, Farfetch, and SSENSE.

Essentials delivers timeless, minimalist basics that capture the Fear of God spirit with a focus on comfort, versatility, and accessible pricing.

Shop Essentials: fearofgod.com/pages/essentials

Fear of God vs. Essentials Comparison

Price Comparison

The price gap between Fear of God and Essentials is the most significant differentiator. A Fear of God hoodie can easily cost close to $1,000, while an Essentials hoodie with a similar look and feel typically retails for around $90. A basic t-shirt from the mainline might be $300, whereas an Essentials counterpart is just $40.

This difference positions them for entirely different shopping goals. Fear of God is for purchasing a single, standout luxury piece. Essentials is for stocking your closet with multiple high-quality, well-designed basics. For the price of one Fear of God jacket, you could easily purchase an entire Essentials wardrobe.

Quality & Materials

Fear of God operates in the high-end luxury space, utilizing premium fabrics like Japanese denim and Italian wool. The construction is complex, with an intense focus on tailoring, detail, and treatments that give the garments a unique feel and exceptional longevity. It's built to be a collector's item.

Essentials offers fantastic quality for its price point but doesn't compete on a luxury level. It uses heavyweight cotton jersey and fleece that feel substantial and comfortable. The construction is solid and meant to withstand regular wear and washing, making it truly practical for daily life. Essentials is a well-made basic, Fear of God is a piece of wearable art.

Style & Aesthetic

Both brands share a core aesthetic rooted in neutral color palettes and modern, relaxed silhouettes. However, Fear of God's look is more avant-garde and complex. It plays with proportion, layering, and texture to create a high-fashion, statement look intended to be noticed.

Essentials takes that aesthetic and simplifies it. The focus is on clean lines, minimal branding, and timeless shapes that can be integrated into any wardrobe. The designs are meant to be versatile and foundational, working as simple, stylish pieces on their own or as a clean base for a more complicated outfit.

Fit & Sizing

Fear of God is famous for its deliberately oversized, voluminous fit. Many of its garments, from hoodies to jackets, are designed to drape generously. Shoppers often consider sizing down one full size, especially if they prefer a look that is relaxed without being completely oversized.

Essentials also features a relaxed fit, but it is much more conventional and true to size. An Essentials piece in your typical size will offer a comfortable, slightly roomy feel without the dramatic proportions of the mainline collection. Sizing with Essentials is much more predictable and straightforward for the average online shopper.

Shopping Experience & Exclusivity

Shopping for Fear of God is a luxury experience. Products are sold in limited quantities through exclusive, high-end retailers, making the hunt part of the appeal. Items often sell out quickly and command high resale values, cementing their status as designer goods.

Essentials is built for accessibility. It is readily available at major accessible retailers online and in-store. While popular drops still sell out, restocks are more common, and the brand's goal is to reach a wide audience. The shopping experience is less about exclusivity and more about convenience and availability.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer exceptional products, but they cater to very different needs and priorities.

Choose Fear of God if:

• You view fashion as an investment and prioritize high-end craftsmanship.
• Your budget accommodates luxury prices for statement pieces.
• You want unique, avant-garde designs that stand out.
• Exclusivity is a key factor in your purchasing decisions.

Choose Essentials if:

• You're looking for versatile, high-quality basics for everyday wear.
• You admire the Fear of God aesthetic but need an affordable option.
• Comfort, minimalism, and easy styling are your top priorities.
• You prefer to buy several mix-and-match pieces over a single expensive item.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fear of God cheaper than Essentials?

No, quite the opposite. Fear of God is the luxury parent brand with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per item. Essentials is its accessible diffusion line, with most pieces priced between $40 and $150.

What is the relationship between Fear of God and Essentials?

Essentials is a sub-brand created by Jerry Lorenzo, the founder of Fear of God. It was designed to offer the main brand's modern, minimalist aesthetic in the form of everyday basics at a consumer-friendly price point.

How does Fear of God sizing compare to Essentials?

Fear of God pieces are designed to be intentionally oversized and often run very large, many people size down. Essentials offers a more standard, relaxed fit that is generally true to size, making it easier to shop for online.

Is Essentials quality good for the price?

Yes, Essentials is widely praised for its excellent quality for the price. The garments are made from substantial, comfortable heavyweight fleece and cotton that hold up well to regular wear and washing, offering strong value.

Where is the best place to buy Essentials?

Essentials is sold on the official Fear of God website, but its primary retail partners are PacSun and SSENSE. You can also find it at other authorized online retailers like Farfetch and Mr Porter.

Is Fear of God worth the money?

For those who value luxury craftsmanship, exclusive design, and high-end materials, Fear of God is considered worth the investment. Each piece is meticulously constructed to be a lasting statement item, much like an investment in a luxury watch or handbag.

Why is Fear of God Essentials so popular?

Essentials' popularity comes from its ability to offer the highly sought-after Fear of God aesthetic - minimalist, neutral, and effortlessly cool - at a price most people can afford. It successfully democratized luxury streetwear for a new generation of shoppers.

Do Essentials items sell out quickly?

Yes, especially during the launch of a new collection or "drop." Due to high demand and its affordable price, popular items like hoodies, sweatpants, and t-shirts in classic colors can sell out within minutes.