Fear of God is a weird beast in the fashion world. It’s not quite luxury in the way Louis Vuitton is, but it’s definitely not just "streetwear" anymore either. When people talk about Fear of God 2, they are usually hitting on one of two things: the massive shift that happened during the "Second Collection" era back in 2013-2014, or the confusing way the brand numbers its drops. If you’ve ever tried to track the lineage of Jerry Lorenzo’s work, you know it’s a bit of a maze. Honestly, it’s a miracle the brand survived its early days given how much it relied on a very specific, very moody aesthetic that could have easily died out with the 2015 "longline tee" craze.
But it didn't.
The Reality of the Fear of God Second Collection
Most people searching for Fear of God 2 are actually looking for the "Second Collection." This was the moment the brand really found its legs. If the First Collection was a rough draft—basically some hoodies and long t-shirts inspired by 90s grunge—the Second Collection was the proof of concept. It dropped in late 2013. This was the era of the side-zip hoodie. Remember those? If you were on Tumblr or fashion forums back then, you couldn't escape them. Everyone was trying to copy that specific drape.
Jerry Lorenzo didn't have a formal fashion education. He was a club promoter. He was a guy who just knew how he wanted his clothes to fit. That lack of formal training is actually why the Second Collection felt so different. It didn't follow the "rules" of tailoring. It was oversized but intentional. It was expensive, too. People were shocked that a brand with no heritage was charging $500 for a sweatshirt. But Kanye West was wearing it. Justin Bieber was wearing it. Suddenly, the "Second Collection" wasn't just clothing; it was a uniform for a new kind of celebrity.
Why the numbering gets confusing
The brand doesn't release things on a seasonal schedule. You won't find a "Spring/Summer 2024" in the traditional sense. Instead, Lorenzo uses "Collections." We are currently way past the early days, moving through the Seventh and Eighth Collections. However, the term Fear of God 2 often resurfaces when people talk about the "Essentials" line—which is technically the secondary line.
Essentials is where the volume is. It’s the stuff you see at PacSun or SSENSE that sells out in three minutes. Some people mistakenly call it "Fear of God 2" because it's the second tier of the brand. But in reality, it’s a completely different vertical. While the main line is made in Italy and uses high-end silks and Japanese nylon, Essentials is the accessible version. It’s the "people’s" Fear of God.
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The Architecture of a Movement
What made that early era—the Fear of God 2 period—so influential? It was the layering. Lorenzo introduced this idea of the "short over long" silhouette. You’d have a short-sleeve flannel over a long-sleeve thermal, topped with a bomber jacket. It was a chaotic mix of Rick Owens’ avant-garde shapes and Kurt Cobain’s "I don't care" attitude.
It changed how men dressed.
Before this, men’s fashion was very slim-fit. Think Hedi Slimane at Dior or Saint Laurent. Everything was tight. Fear of God 2 blew the proportions wide open. It gave guys permission to wear clothes that were three sizes too big but still looked "expensive." This shift wasn't just a trend; it was a fundamental change in the menswear landscape that we are still living in today. If you're wearing an oversized hoodie right now, you can probably trace its DNA back to Jerry’s Second Collection.
Looking Back to Move Forward
The Mainline (Fear of God) and the diffusion line (Essentials) now exist in two different universes. The Mainline has gone full luxury. We're talking $3,000 overcoats and $1,000 knitwear. It’s less about "streetwear" and more about "modern American luxury." It’s quiet. It’s sophisticated. It’s a far cry from the ripped flannels of the Fear of God 2 days.
But there’s a nostalgia for that early grit.
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- The Original Side-Zip: This was the hallmark. It allowed for better layering and a more aggressive silhouette.
- The Flannels: Heavyweight, often sleeveless, and always lined with silk or high-quality cotton.
- The Bottoms: This was before the famous "track pant" with the long drawstrings took over. It was more about heavily distressed denim.
A lot of collectors are now scouring sites like Grailed or Depop for pieces from that Second Collection. Why? Because the quality was surprisingly high for a fledgling brand. Lorenzo was obsessed with the "hand-feel" of fabrics from the start. He wasn't just printing on Gildan blanks. He was sourcing riri zippers and heavy-gauge French terry.
The Cultural Impact
You can't talk about Fear of God 2 without talking about the "Purpose Tour" aesthetic. When Justin Bieber went on his Purpose world tour, Jerry Lorenzo designed the merch. He took the DNA of the Second and Third collections and scaled it for the masses. That was the tipping point. Suddenly, every kid in every mall in America wanted to look like they just walked out of a 1992 grunge concert in Seattle, but with better shoes.
It’s easy to be cynical about it now. We’ve seen a million "Essentials" hoodies in the wild. But back then? It was revolutionary. It bridged the gap between the kids who liked Supreme and the adults who shopped at Barneys. It was a middle ground that didn't exist before.
How to Handle Fear of God Today
If you’re looking to get into the brand now, or if you're hunting for those vintage Fear of God 2 vibes, you have to be careful. The market is flooded with fakes. Because the designs are relatively simple—oversized cuts, basic colors—they are easy to replicate.
- Check the tags: Early Fear of God tags have a very specific font and spacing. If the "Fear of God" text looks too bold or too thin, stay away.
- The Zipper Test: Lorenzo used riri zippers almost exclusively in the early days. These are heavy, smooth, and expensive. If the zipper feels like plastic or cheap metal, it’s not authentic.
- Fabric Weight: One thing fakes never get right is the weight. A Second Collection hoodie should feel like a weighted blanket. It’s heavy.
Modern Fear of God is different. It's more about "The California Spirit." It’s about neutral tones—oatmeal, stucco, concrete. It’s very architectural. But the spirit of that Fear of God 2 era—the idea that you can be comfortable and still look like you own the room—that’s still the core philosophy.
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Honestly, the "Second Collection" was the most important one because it proved Lorenzo wasn't a one-hit-wonder. It showed he had a vision for a whole world, not just a single shirt. Whether you call it Fear of God 2 or the Second Collection, that era redefined the "cool" factor for a decade. It’s about the feeling of the clothes. It’s about the way a heavy hoodie hangs off your shoulders. It’s about a certain kind of confidence.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Fans
If you're looking to integrate this aesthetic into your wardrobe without spending $2,000 on a vintage hoodie, start with the proportions. Look for "drop shoulder" cuts. Focus on the color palette; stick to earth tones and greys. If you are buying resale, always ask for "wash tag" photos. The wash tag is the hardest part for counterfeiters to get right.
Look for the "Seventh Collection" pieces if you want the best of both worlds—modern luxury with a nod to those early silhouettes. The Seventh Collection brought back a lot of the tailoring but kept the oversized comfort that made the Fear of God 2 era famous. It’s the most "complete" version of the brand’s identity. Focus on the footwear, too. The "California" slip-on or the "101" sneaker are great entry points that carry the same DNA as the early stuff but feel much more "now."
Stop worrying about whether it's "in style" or not. The whole point of Lorenzo’s work is that it’s supposed to be timeless. It’s "solution-based" clothing. It’s meant to make getting dressed easier. Find a piece that fits your life, buy it, and wear it until it falls apart. That’s the most Fear of God thing you can do.