FOG Essentials runs big. The whole range is cut oversized on purpose, so your usual size gives the relaxed, boxy look the brand is known for, and one size down gives a fit closer to a regular hoodie or tee. Sweatpants are the exception: most people stay in their true size.

Quick answer: Hoodies, buy your usual size for oversized or go down one for a standard fit. Tees, go down one. Sweatpants, buy your true size (down one for a slimmer leg).

Updated October 2026 by Josh Cole, Im Your Wardrobe

Does FOG Essentials run big?

Yes, and it's meant to. Size and fit guides consistently describe the cut as oversized, relaxed and boxy, with dropped shoulders and extra room through the chest and body. The range is cut oversized on purpose, and that silhouette is the intended look rather than a sizing mistake.

That matters when you're choosing a size. If you buy Essentials in the size you wear in most brands, expect it to hang loose, sit wide across the shoulders and feel roomy in the body. That's the fit you see in the brand's own styling. If you'd rather it fit like a standard hoodie or tee from another label, size down. Both guides recommend one size down for a traditional fit on tops.

The product name often hints at the cut too. On our FOG Essentials collection you'll see names like 90s Relaxed, Slouchy and Classic, so read the title before comparing two pieces side by side.

FOG Essentials size chart (cm)

These are garment measurements, not body measurements, taken from ROOTED's FOG Essentials apparel size guide and converted from inches to centimetres. Chest is the full measurement around the garment. Lay a top you already own flat, measure it the same way, and compare.

Hoodies

T-shirts

Sweatpants

Shorts

Source: ROOTED, FOG Essentials apparel size guide (unisex, based on men's sizing). Measurements converted from inches and rounded to one decimal place.

FOG Essentials hoodie sizing

Hoodies are the most consistent piece in the range, which makes them the best place to start if you're new to the brand. The rule is simple:

• Oversized look: buy your usual size.
• Standard fit: go down one size. For example, a Large in other brands becomes a Medium in Essentials.

Chest is where the extra room shows. In the chart above, a Medium measures around 135 cm around the chest, well beyond what a regular Medium hoodie gives you, while the body length stays moderate. That's why Essentials hoodies look wide and slightly cropped rather than long. Try the FOG Essentials Classic Fit Fleece Hoodie in Jet Black if you want a cleaner shape, or the 90s Relaxed Monogram Hoodie in Marble Heather for the full relaxed look.

Do FOG Essentials T-shirts run big?

Yes. The tees are boxy and wide. To match the fit of a standard tee from another brand, size down one. Length stays proportional, so dropping a size takes width out of the body without making the tee noticeably short. Go down two sizes if you want a properly fitted tee.

The same thinking applies to long sleeves. The FOG Essentials Crewneck T-Shirt II in Jet Black and the Long Sleeve Tee in Heather Grey are easy places to test your size.

FOG Essentials sweatpants sizing

Fit guides differ slightly on bottoms. Most say to buy your true size: the waist is conventionally sized with a strong elastic band, and the roominess sits in the seat and legs. Others describe the sweatpants as oversized with a longer leg than typical joggers and suggest going down one if you want a true-to-size fit.

In practice: buy your true size for comfort and the intended stacked look at the ankle, or size down one for a slimmer leg. Check the waist and inseam in the chart against a pair you already own. The Classic Slouchy Sweatpant leans relaxed, while the SS22 Sweatpants in Dark Oatmeal keep the classic elastic-cuff shape.

FOG Essentials sizing for women

Most of the core Essentials range is unisex and sized on men's standards. ROOTED notes that unisex sizing is based on men's sizing. In other words, a unisex Small is bigger than a Small from a women's brand, so compare the chest measurement in the chart with a top you own before you pick.

Some pieces are cut for women, such as the women's Suede Fleece Signature Relaxed Pant in Dune. For those, use this women's body-measurement chart. If you fall between two sizes, size up for a more relaxed fit.

Women's body measurements, converted from inches and rounded.

Does sizing change between seasons?

A little. Measurements shift slightly between drops and garment types, even though the oversized intent stays the same. Retailer charts don't always agree either: Commonwealth's Essentials tee chart lists different chest measurements from ROOTED's for several sizes. So treat any chart, including ours, as a guide rather than an exact spec.

The safest approach is to find an Essentials piece you already own, or a hoodie or tee you like the fit of, and measure it flat. Then compare chest, length and sleeve rather than relying on the letter size.

How to measure a hoodie or tee you own

1. Lay the garment flat on a table and smooth it out.
2. Measure straight across the chest, 2.5 cm below the armholes, then double it to get the full chest.
3. Measure the length from the highest point of the shoulder, next to the collar, down to the hem.
4. Measure the sleeve from the armhole seam to the cuff.
5. Match those numbers to the chart above and pick the size closest to the fit you want.

Size up or size down? A quick summary

Based on published Essentials size and fit guides.

Where to buy FOG Essentials in NZ

I'm Your Wardrobe stocks FOG Essentials hoodies, tees, sweatpants and shorts for men and women, with most styles in a wide size run. Every piece is authentic and inspected before it ships (read about our authenticity process), shipping is free on every NZ order, and Afterpay is available at checkout. Read our full guide to where to buy FOG Essentials in NZ.

• Shop all FOG Essentials
• Classic Fit Fleece Hoodie Jet Black, Hoodie SS22 Stretch Limo and Classic Short Sulphur Black Cloud Wash
• Returns and exchanges policy

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FOG Essentials sizing FAQ

Does FOG Essentials run big?

Yes. FOG Essentials is cut oversized on purpose, with dropped shoulders and extra room through the chest and body. If you want that relaxed look, buy your usual size. If you want a standard fit, size down one.

Should I size down in FOG Essentials hoodies?

Only if you want a more traditional fit. Your usual size gives the intended oversized look; one size down gives a fit closer to a regular hoodie, so a Large in most brands becomes a Medium in Essentials.

Do FOG Essentials T-shirts run big?

Yes. The tees are boxy and wide. To match a standard tee from another brand, size down one. Going down a size takes width out of the body without making the tee noticeably short.

What size FOG Essentials sweatpants should I get?

Most people buy their true size, because the waist is elasticated and the extra room sits in the seat and legs. Size down one if you want a slimmer leg. Check the waist and inseam in the chart against a pair you already own.

Are FOG Essentials unisex?

Most of the core range is unisex and is sized on men's standards, so a unisex Small is bigger than a Small from a women's brand. Some pieces are cut specifically for women; those use a women's body chart, so always check which line a piece belongs to.

Does FOG Essentials sizing change between seasons?

Slightly. The oversized intent stays the same, but measurements shift between drops and garment types, and retailer charts don't always match each other. Use the chart here as a guide and compare with a piece you own.