In the world of streetwear, Essentials by Fear of God stands out as a minimalist, clean-cut brand that blends luxury with everyday wear. But with its soaring popularity comes a surge in counterfeits. If you're looking to invest in an Essentials hoodie, you need to know how to separate the real deal from the fakes.
Whether you're shopping online, browsing resale platforms, or eyeing that bargain in a store, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to spot a real Essentials hoodie.
? 1. Start with the Price Tag
If the price feels too good to be true—it probably is.
Real Essentials hoodies typically retail between Essentials Hoodie depending on the release and season. Be cautious of listings offering brand-new pieces for under $60, especially without original packaging or receipts.
? 2. Check the Quality of Fabric
Essentials hoodies are known for their heavyweight cotton blend and soft fleece interior. A real piece feels premium—thick, structured, and smooth to the touch.
Fake hoodies tend to be thinner, rougher, or overly stretchy. The feel of the fabric is often the first giveaway.
? 3. Inspect the Labeling
Essentials uses consistent, clean branding:
Main Neck Tag: It should read “ESSENTIALS Fear of God”, with clean typography and centered alignment.
Size Tag: Located below the neck tag. It should be small, cleanly stitched, and display US sizes (e.g., S, M, L).
Material/Production Tag: Usually found on the inside seam, listing material (mostly cotton/polyester) and country of manufacture (commonly Vietnam or China).
Poor stitching, blurred fonts, or missing tags are strong signs of a fake.
? 4. Glow-in-the-Dark Rubber Patch
One of the standout features of Essentials hoodies is the rubberized patch on the hood or back. On many authentic pieces, this “ESSENTIALS” patch glows in the dark under UV light.
Fakes often either skip this feature entirely or offer poorly made patches that don’t glow or peel easily.
? 5. Examine Stitching and Construction
High-end brands pay close attention to stitching—and Essentials is no exception.
Authentic hoodies have:
Clean, even stitching throughout
Reinforced seams, especially around the hood and cuffs
No loose threads or unaligned seams
Fake pieces may show rushed stitching, uneven hemlines, or flimsy construction.
? 6. Look for the Original Packaging
Essentials hoodies usually come in branded, resealable plastic bags, often with barcodes and product stickers.
If you’re buying online and the seller doesn’t have the original packaging or can't provide photos, that’s a red flag—especially for new or “DS” (deadstock) items.
? 7. Verify the Release
Essentials releases are seasonal and tied to specific drops—Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. You can often verify if the colorway or design you’re considering was part of an official drop by checking sites like:
PacSun (official partner)
SSENSE
END Clothing
Fear of God’s own site or socials
Fake sellers may invent colors or designs that were never officially released.
? 8. Shop from Authorized Retailers
Want to play it safe? Stick with the official Essentials stockists:
Fear of God website
PacSun
SSENSE
Mr. Porter
END Clothing
Farfetch
If you're shopping resale (e.g., Grailed, StockX, eBay), make sure the seller has a solid reputation, detailed photos, and a return policy.
?? 9. Check Online Reviews
Search the exact product listing or seller name + “Essentials hoodie review” on Google or Reddit. The streetwear community is tight-knit and quick to report fakes.
Reddit threads like r/streetwear and r/FashionReps are especially helpful when checking for legitimacy.
? 10. Compare With a Known Genuine Hoodie
If you or a friend owns a real Essentials hoodie, do a side-by-side comparison:
Feel the weight difference
Compare the rubber patch
Check the length of drawstrings
Examine label quality
Even subtle differences become obvious when you can compare two items directly.
? 11. Serial Numbers and Barcodes
While not all Essentials pieces come with scannable barcodes, recent drops often include a barcode sticker on the plastic packaging.
Check if the barcode matches the product description online. Fake sellers often paste unrelated or invalid numbers.
? 12. Watch Out for “Inspired” or “Rep” Language
If the seller is using language like:
“Inspired by Essentials”
“Fear of God style”
“Rep” or “Replica”
—walk away. They’re admitting it’s not authentic.
? 13. Use Reverse Image Search
A smart trick: take the product photo and reverse image search it on Google. If it pops up on shady marketplaces or multiple listings, it may be stolen or fake.
Final Thoughts
Essentials hoodies are timeless, understated, and incredibly versatile. But the rise of counterfeits means it's up to you to stay informed and vigilant.
