To be royally pissed off with retailers who don't stock size 16 work-out gear!

[Vagabond]

I am hardly obese but find it impossible to find anything that is flattering or looks nice. I'm just trying to get fit! That's supposed to be good? Right?

I went into Sweaty Betty only to be told that all their size 16s had sold out. Hello! Message to retailers - size 16 is the average size of British women. Where is the stuff that I WANT! So pissed off and humiliated. The sales assistant was great and apologised but still....

All I can say is thank goodness I didn't try on the size 14 she suggested! No need to heap on the humiliation, my dear

Stays on sofa, munches crisps in abject defeat

YANBU, I find nice new gym clothes motivate me into doing exercise a bit more!

If you don't mid about labels, try Next Directory, M&S or Sainsbury's, all have reasonably priced gymwear in array of sizes.

to be told that all their size 16s had sold out. Hello! Message to retailers - size 16 is the average size of British women

maybe ... just tossing this in ... the average british woman got up earlier and bought the stock out .... but lets face it ...real exercise enthusiasts dont need designer clothes .... they just turn up in sweat pants and their hubbies old t-shirts. You can make all the excuses you want to Stays on sofa, munches crisps in abject defeat but infact you CBA to shift your arse really.

Regardless of average size of women, I would guess in the world of exercise wear, and especially sweaty betty clients, size 16 is not the most sought after, so they probably hold lower stock in that size. Why not shop online?

Or munch enough crisps to be a size 18... They might have that.

YABU, I'm afraid.

Some people will find aaaany excuse!!

YANBU at all.

I got mine from m&s - size 20! Next also do a range of sizes

YABU. Exercise gear is not meant to flatter you or look nice. It is meant to facilitate exercise. A £6 pair of jogging bottoms from Tesco and a baggy old tee stolen from your DP will do just fine. Get out there, move your arse and stop making excuses.

Gah! Not at all - not making excuses. I'm trying (honest!). My friend invited me to a Zumba class and I promised to go next Tuesday but wanted to fit in - hence the trip to Sweaty Betty! What I didn't say was that the SB assistant told me that their larger sizes always sell out first. D'oh! Guess you do have to get there early in the morning!

Online - great! No changing rooms! Where? Help!

And sorry, I don't agree with wearing boyfriend's t-shirt - you have to be in the right state of mind to try something new and looking at least similar to everyone else. It's my right! (isn't it?).

Actually I think YANBU. Given that us average sized women, might also want to wear nice gym gear, and heaven forbid those larger than a 16 think about going to the gym wearing snazzy stuff too. I find the same with outdoor clothing - not everyone is the same size as Julia Bradbury.

I just want to feel good about myself! My husband's t-shirt doesn't cut the mustard. It's wrong. I'm average!

I agree with you - wearing sweat bottoms and an oversize t-shirt makes me feel like a whale and it's none too flattering. I want gym clothes that fit and are comfortable and look nice.

Hate to be depressing here but having been there, size 16 is actually quite likely to technically be obese, ie higher bmi than 30.

I wouldn't waste money on expensive gear that firstly you should be sweating all over and secondly if you are using properly you will shrink out of pretty quickly!

Some people being a bit disingenuous on here...

If size 16 and above stuff is selling out quicker than anything else, then surely any retailer worth their salt, should be putting 2 and 2 together and ensuring that stock is always at the ready.

Word to the wise if you don't want to feel more crap - don't got to Nike Town. I am a size 10/12 and their size L stretchy tops are snug on me. To be fair, it has been through the wash a lot since I was a size 16.

If you're going to Zumba you could wear more casual than sporty stuff - I tend to wear some combat type trousers and a t-shirt. Sports bra is useful too.

A sports bra to Zumba! I'd be accused of bringing the human body into disrepute! And the mirrors - eek!

Agree with Slinking.....it's shocking that there isn't more stuff for us average sized women that makes us feel great. It just doesn't feel fair. BTW - my BMI is 24 so I'm not obese. I'm in the healthy category. Of course, I am also a giant! Mwah!

Thank you "NotYet" for the links. Appreciated.

size 16 is fat. if its the average size of us, then the average woman is fat.

Try find a good sports bra when you have a broad back and big boobs..I ended up wearing my firmest bra and 2 size too small tshirt just to stop me getting 2black eyes

There is no-one in Sweaty Betty at my Zumba class! I have primark yoga pants and war them with a tightish vest and a fitted tshirt on top. If you buy expensive stuff now it will be too big in a few weeks. I was a size16 in Nov and said I would buy myself posh gear when I got to 14. But now I am hanging on until I hit 12, hopefully not too many more weeks!

How tall are you?!
I am a 5'8'' (nearly) and a 14 and my BMI is about 27/8