It's actually pretty annoying. You see a photo of someone like Justin Bieber or a random influencer on TikTok wearing that thick, boxy hoodie with the rubberized logo on the chest, and you think, "Okay, I need that." Then you go to Google it. Suddenly, you're looking at one site saying $90 and another saying $250. It makes you wonder if you're getting scammed or if how much are essential hoodies actually supposed to cost depends on who is selling them that day.
The short answer? Retail is around $90 to $100. But "retail" is a ghost in the streetwear world.
Jerry Lorenzo launched Fear of God Essentials as a "diffusion line" to his main, ultra-expensive Fear of God collection. The goal was to make that high-fashion silhouette accessible. But because of the way drops work—and the sheer volume of fakes out there—the price you pay is rarely the price on the tag. Honestly, if you find one for $60, you should probably run the other way unless it’s a verified used deal on Depop or Grailed.
The Retail Reality of Fear of God Essentials
When a new collection drops at PacSun, SSENSE, or the Fear of God website, the pricing is fairly consistent. You’re looking at $90 for a standard pullover hoodie and maybe $100 to $110 for a zip-up.
That’s the baseline.
But here is the catch. These things sell out. Fast. Usually within minutes of a big seasonal drop. Because Essentials operates on a "drop" model, the supply is intentionally kept just below the demand. This creates the secondary market—the resale world—where prices fluctuate based on colorway and size. A "Cloud Dancer" (off-white) hoodie in a size Medium might be $150 on StockX, while a less popular "Iron" color in an XXL might be sitting closer to retail.
Wait. Why the price gap?
It’s the hype tax. If you miss the initial release, you are at the mercy of the market. Sites like StockX, GOAT, and Flight Club are essentially the stock market for hoodies. You’ll pay the market price plus shipping, plus "authentication fees." By the time you hit checkout, that $90 hoodie is costing you $160.
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Why the Price Varies by Collection
Not all Essentials hoodies are created equal. Since 2018, the branding has shifted.
- The 2019-2020 Era: These had the "Essentials" text in 3M reflective material on the sleeve or chest. These are "vintage" now in streetwear terms and often fetch higher prices on the used market.
- The 2021-2022 Era: This brought the rubberized, raised lettering. It felt more premium.
- The "Eternal" and Recent Collections: These have shifted toward a more minimalist look, sometimes with just a small tab on the hood or back.
If you're hunting for a specific older color like "Oatmeal" or "Sage," you aren't paying retail. You're paying for the rarity. It’s kinda wild that a fleece sweatshirt can appreciate in value, but that’s the Fear of God effect.
The Hidden Costs: Shipping and Customs
If you are buying from SSENSE, which is based in Canada, or directly from the Fear of God site in the US, you have to account for shipping. Sometimes it's a flat $15. Sometimes it's more.
If you're in the UK or Europe, "how much are essential hoodies" becomes a much more expensive question. You’ve got VAT and import duties. A hoodie that costs $90 in Los Angeles might end up costing a Londoner £140 after all the red tape is cleared. This is why local boutiques like Selfridges or END. Clothing often list them at a higher starting price—they’ve already baked those import costs into the sticker price.
Spotting the Price Fakes
This is where it gets dangerous.
The internet is flooded with "Essentials" hoodies for $45. I’ll be blunt: they are fake. Every single one of them. Fear of God does not do "clearance sales" on random websites with URLs like "https://www.google.com/search?q=EssentialsHoodieShopOnline.com."
The materials Jerry Lorenzo uses are specific. We’re talking about a heavy-weight cotton-polyester blend, usually around 80/20. The hoodies are incredibly heavy, often weighing over two pounds. The fakes use cheap, thin Gildan-style blanks that don't drape the same way. The "Essentials" fit is notoriously oversized. If you buy a fake that says "Large" and it fits like a regular Large, it’s not real. Real Essentials hoodies fit about two sizes bigger than your normal clothes.
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If the price looks too good to be true, your wallet is about to get hit for a piece of low-quality polyester that’ll shrink the first time it hits a dryer.
The Resale Math
Let's look at a real-world example from late 2025 and early 2026 market data.
A standard Black Stretch Limo hoodie:
- Retail: $95
- StockX Price: $125
- Authentication/Shipping: $20
- Total: $145
That is a 52% markup over retail. Is it worth it? That’s up to you. Many enthusiasts argue that the durability of the heavy fleece makes it a "buy it once" item. Unlike a $20 H&M hoodie that pilling after three washes, a real Essentials piece holds its shape.
Does Color Matter?
Yes. Massively.
Neutral tones—the tans, creams, and greys—always command a higher price. They are the "core" of the Fear of God aesthetic. If you’re looking to save money, look for the "loud" colors that occasionally drop, like bright yellows or corals. These often sit on shelves longer and can sometimes even be found on sale at retailers like Nordstrom or PacSun during end-of-season clearances.
It’s rare, but it happens.
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How to Get the Best Price
If you want to avoid the $150+ resale trap, you need to be tactical.
First, follow the right accounts on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram. Accounts like @SOLELINKS or @DROPSBYJAY often post exact times for restocks.
Second, check SSENSE frequently. They are one of the biggest official partners. They often have random restocks that don't get blasted out on social media.
Third, understand the sizing. Since they are so oversized, many people buy the wrong size and then try to offload them quickly on secondary markets just to get their money back. You can often find "tried on once" hoodies for near-retail prices if you're willing to browse the "used" sections of reputable apps.
What You Are Actually Paying For
When you ask how much are essential hoodies, you aren't just paying for the fabric. You're paying for the silhouette.
Standard hoodies are cut long and narrow. Essentials are cut wide, cropped at the waist, and have dropped shoulders. It’s a very specific look that mimics high-end tailoring. To get that same fit from the Fear of God "Mainline," you’d be spending $600 to $800. In that context, $100 for the Essentials version feels like a steal.
But don't get it twisted—it's still a $100 sweatshirt.
Actionable Steps for Buyers
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a new hoodie, here is exactly how you should navigate the purchase to ensure you don't get ripped off or end up with a low-quality replica.
- Verify the Seller: Only buy from PacSun, SSENSE, Mr. Porter, Nordstrom, or the official Fear of God site for retail prices. If those are sold out, use StockX or GOAT, but factor in an extra $30-40 for fees.
- Size Down: Unless you want to look like you're wearing a tent, buy at least one size smaller than your usual size. If you usually wear a Large in Nike, buy a Medium or even a Small in Essentials.
- Check the Weight: Once it arrives, feel the weight. A real Essentials hoodie is heavy and stiff, not soft and flimsy. The hood should be double-layered and stand up on its own rather than flopping flat.
- Look at the Neck Label: Real pieces have a crisp, high-quality rubberized label on the hood or a perfectly stitched internal tag. Fakes often have crooked stitching or "bleeding" ink on the labels.
- Monitor the Drop Cycle: New collections usually drop in the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. Set alerts for these windows to catch the $90 retail price before the resellers gobble them up.