Why are running clothes so impractical?

Second (or third) M&S running gear, their leggings and shorts have pockets. I also get Sweaty Betty leggings in the unfashionable prints as they are usually reduced heavily in the sale. SB are the best and most comfortable leggings in my opinion.
For tops I have a variety of long sleeve/ short sleeve and vest tops depending on the weather, mostly M&S but some TK Max or decathalon. There are plenty that are long enough to cover your bottom and you can always size up to get a looser fit (which is what I prefer). I prefer the proper athletic wear to cottonT-shirts as the fabric is sweat wicking and more comfortable if it gets wet in the rain.

Leggings and other close fitting clothes are good for running as they don’t flap about. Looser fitting clothes are problematic when they get wet in the rain.

I wear men’s t-shirts too! No one wants to see my arse jiggling about as I run very slowly past them 😂

I just wear close fitting joggers!

The women wear running knickers but what would the likes of Dina Asher-Smith. know.

Try sweaty betty power running leggings. Two different sorts of pockets and a magic drawstring that stops them falling down. They're not cheap although they do have sales and reductions all year on some prints. They last for many years. I am a size 12 ish and have just sized up to M. Running is great-have you a Parkrun in your area? Could be a good target and I've made loads of friends through running, which makes it much easier to keep going. Check out couch to 5k training plans. Someone in your area might do a beginner's group. Good luck OP.

yeah, all those olympians in their lycra must be doing it wrong!! Loads of men run in leggings in winter.

With a FlipBelt I'd go for waist size. My waist is 31" and a medium fits perfectly with no riding up. Once it's on I'm not aware of it at alI. The waist seems the natural place to wear it to me as the narrowest part of my body (although only just, I'm quite straight up and down). I've never worn it on my hips and I feel it might move up from there.

I also second M&S work out gear to be decent for running, they do some longer line tops.

I also swear by Karrimor stuff- they do great leggings with drawstring waists, & a side pocket. The mens tops are longer length, I get a mans small. It is often reduced in Sports Direct.

my running belt is from karrimor too, which was under £10 from there which doesn't jiggle jiggle when you run.

Yes I have something similar. Its great and more comfortable than traditional style "belts" with fastenings

I have decent kit from M and S and tesco so you dont need to spend a lot. Leggings from both shops have a phone pocket. I have several pairs of shorts without decent pockets and thats when the flip belt comes into its own.

You rarely see men in them as they are uncomfortable.
Are they?
I wear Ronhill tracksters. They're not the prettiest but they're very comfortable, not tight anywhere, don't bother me in any way, and dry quickly. If you shop around they're not expensive.

Shop All – Harrier Trail Running

Harrier do a women's jacket with proper pockets. My only issue is the colour - it's a nice colour but not really visible

Harrier also do a decent waist pack which you can get plenty of things in

You don't need expensive kit just what works for you. When I started, I wore cotton shorts and t-shirts and an old pac-a-mac if it rained. I had a proper sports bra and running shoes.
I invested in kit after I could run 4 miles.

With the gym, I wore cheap leggings and a baggy t-shirt and inexpensive trainers.

Nobody really looks at you.

Wear tracksters instead of leggings. Phones tend to pull the leggings down.
If you want to take your phone, wear a cycling top or an arm wallet.
Women’s Bottoms | Women’s Jogging Bottoms & More | Start Fitness
Running & Training Accessories | Start Fitness
Altura Airstream Womens Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey - Forest Green – Start Fitness

Decathlon will probably sell them and is good value.

The North Face is an outdoor brand that does fashion for the 'JD Sports' market.
I'd go for a proper running brand like Ronhill.

Just wear unbranded joggers and long t-shirts. Expensive running clothes aren't necessary.

Leggings and Lycra are shit. You rarely see men in them as they are uncomfortable. Especially in warmer weather. You’ll get far too hot. I have loose, light material running trousers. So much better. So much more comfortable. I will never go back to Lycra or leggings.

Being a taller woman I wear Tesco running leggings, which are a couple of cm longer than the norm and have a pocket for my key, and a parkrun woman's tshirt or a mens running tshirt which are both longer length.

I think it's fine to want tonfeel comfortable about how you look. Sounds as. Though pps have posted some useful options. I usually just run in joggers but with the ones with not-great elastic, I put my phone in an elasticated running/ festival pocket belt, which would also work with running tights.

You probably don’t need a jacket now as it’s so warm.

If you don’t want to run in shorts, leggings QueenieKee on Amazon have pockets, are thick and are nice leggings. But what is it you want to cover up? Your bum? Shorts over the top of leggings? The downside is that is a lot of hot layers and not comfy for running.

Shorts with pockets would probably be better. I keep my bra and keys in my sports bra (queeniekee again) and that makes it a bit easier.

I have a running vest with pockets for phone, keys, snack and a drink on the go as i take electrolytes to boost my energy! Best money iv spent apart from my Brooks running trainers which are amazing and stopped my knee pain.

Never really thought about this. But then, I know lots of men who run in leggings in colder weather 🤷‍♀️

I’ve recently got back into running after a long time and although a lot slimmer these days I still feel self conscious of certain areas so I’m not comfortable in very clingy outfits. echoing other posters but I’ve got a good cache of gear mainly from Vinted. Sweaty betty leggings come in lots of great patterns as well as plain and usually have at least a key zip pocket. They’re also flattering and not thin over the bum so no jiggly bits or knicker lines on display. I have a small north face bum bag I got for £8 from ASOS for shorter runs, holds inhaler, key and phone. A karrimor one from sports direct that also holds two small water bottles for longer runs. Vests seem popular now and you can get ones with a ‘bladder’ for easy drinking on the run. I wear Nike or adidas running t shirts that are dri fit but purposefully loose fitting so look good. Also yoga sleeveless tops are good for summer running as don’t cling but are lightweight and again, look appropriate not like you’ve raided the back of your wardrobe. I also have a pair of Nike cycling shorts that are thick enough to feel supportive and provide coverage without being too warm/heavy. They have a key pocket in. I use a lightweight trespass rain jacket on showery or windy runs as it has pockets and easy to tie around my waist if I get hot.

I am not a runner, I just walk as fast as I can for exercise, but I like the Matalan Souluxe range and they do longline t-shirts. Like others I use a running belt to carry my phone and keys. I'm tall and a size 18 and that combination works for me