to expect keep fit clothes to come in BIG sizes?

[punter]

I am looking at you Sweaty Betty - your XL translates according to your website as a size 16 which is the average UK women's size. As you have a sale on I ordered 3 different styles, they arrived this morning and looked like they had shrunk in the wash when I tried stuff on.
Surely people who want to get fit should be able to get clothes that are comfortable and fit for purpose (that came out as a pun sorry.
Suppose I shall have to try dreaded M&S ....

Bore off yourself MorrisZapp its perfectly wearable clothing. Why do you think it sells? People are different shapes, that's all. If you compare it to Sukishufu Stella McCartney for Adidas, Sweaty Betty is more generously and accurately sized.

morris, my TKMaxx has a specific gym wear rail with actual, technical gym clothing on it.

Way to go Morris!

Of course it sells. To slim women. I've never looked at Stella McCartney etc but assume that like most high fashion brands they don't cater to over size 12s.

Given that most women in the UK are a size 14 or over, it seems that many businesses want to cut off their biggest (!) potential customer base in order to preserve their high status, slim women only image.

That's their decision but as a size 14 yes I am mightily pissed off about it, as I'm sure you would be if the stuff you wanted was not manufactured in your size.

Squeeze, my TK Maxx has that too. By the time you move up the sizes to the XL (size 14) there are about three items dangling sadly, two of which are fluorescent yellow and the other has DELICIOUS written on the arse.

YANBU to want to buy good quality workout gear in your size, OP.

That said, I'm not crazy about SB anyway. Same as lululemon, just examples of the power of marketing. All style over substance and I say that as someone who will pay over the odds for clothing if the quality is there.

I ended up buying a mens high-vis for running because there were no womens ones over a size 16 and I wanted it to be baggy. I found some larger sizes in JL but there wasn't a big selection.

Yes I agree. I don't rate their stuff that much anyway, you can find better fabrics and colours in Nike, Adidas etc.

Oh god, that is not good, Morris. Mine seems to be the opposite to yours, the larger sizes are the full and Sod's law, it's the other end I need .

Same with the shoes. I always find a style I like in the size 7 and 8 section. My size is all orthopaedic slip ons or platform stripper heels.

I don't agree about skiwear. TKMaxx has loads of stuff in about an 18-20 (possibly larger, though I don't know as 18-20 is what I needed at the time). Usually brands like Dare2Be and maybe not the greatest colours. I'm currently a 14-16 and have Schöffel L trousers (post Christmas am more on the 16 side and they feel a little tight) - they would go up to an XL though. Columbia, Helly Hansen, Peak Performance all go up to XL which can be 16-18 depending on your shape and their style/cut.

Are the full = are full / are the fullest

Nike running tights are the best I've tried, for my body shape anyway.

When I did run I got stuff from sports direct, it was very tight fitting as it should be to do its job, I just wore a baggy vest top over it to hide the lumps and bumps. Size 16, Apple shape.

I've never looked at Stella McCartney etc but assume that like most high fashion brands they don't cater to over size 12s.

Its not Stella McCartney, its Adidas, with a Stella McCartney overseen range, but a nicer silkier material. Like Kate Moss for TopShop or George for Asda. Adidas - a very standard manufacturer. Adidas as well - same sizing. Nike - generously sized.

If you are not a genuine size 14 or 16, and don't fit other 14s or 16s, that is a different problem from blaming clothing manufacturers surely?

I have a size 6 skirt and it fits me. That doesn't mean I'm a size 6. It means I have bought one very generously sized skirt labelled size 6. I'm guessing size 16s are much the same as anyone else - some size 16s will be too tight, just as some size 8s are too tight for me.

Given that most women in the UK are a size 14 or over, it seems that many businesses want to cut off their biggest (!) potential customer base in order to preserve their high status, slim women only image.

My guess is that most of the brands mentioned cater for runners, not women over size 14, and that they have done market research which shows that what they produce is what sells profitably. I wouldn't buy from a brand which catered for the average woman instead of the average runner - I want specific running clothing, not useless gym gear which flaps about around your legs if it rains while you're running. The market for runners is huge - all you need to do is go along to your local park run to see lots of women I would say the average of whom is less than a size 14 every single week running competitively. Its a massively growing market as more and more women want to be fit and active. And runners tend to buy multiple sets of sports gear - one for each day of the week would not be unusual. Its a totally different market from the twice-per-week gym session market.

Sweaty Betty was set up by a fitness fanatic to cater for "women who had an active lifestyle." In other words, women who were already fit who wanted label kit. Not people trying to take their first steps into fitness, despite what they might say for PR.

overmydeadbody you say "But spooky surely sports gear is meant to be fitted otherwise it doesn't do its job of pulling sweat away from your skin and keeping you thermally regulated?" In that case, why aren't men's running shirts skin tight I wonder? Hmmm

bitoutofpractice "But spooky surely sports gear is meant to be fitted otherwise it doesn't do its job of pulling sweat away from your skin and keeping you thermally regulated?" In that case, why aren't men's running shirts skin tight I wonder? Hmmm

They are. They are meant to be just as form fitting as womens'. At least for running anyway. Look at athletics on tv while athletes are warming up. In fact compression clothing is meant to be even more form fitting than normal sports clothing. Some men may choose to wear baggy joggers, etc. but that doesn't mean all of them do.

But anyway OP YABU to buy 3 items online in a brand you've never checked the sizing of by trying it on in a shop first. Chances are quite high that anyone of any size in the same circumstances would find it didn't fit.

I don't like wearing form fitting stuff at all but I do work out hard most days and learnt a long time ago that feeling comfortable in a baggy top is NOT worth it. I used to end up with chafing, freezing cold post workout because of sweat not being wicked away properly and it gets in the way when doing proper training.

I know the real issue is sizing here- that's fashion seemingly and it's affecting sports/lifestyle here -but as uncomfortable and odd as it feels to be in fitting stuff, it really is the best thing whilst working out.

They're bloody expensive generally but running and compression tights instead of leggings are massively comfortable, fit for purpose and the sizing is often right. I have ones from Nike and some from 2XU. TK Maxx sometimes do them and Wiggle online can be good too.

Lots of supermarkets have started stocking fitness wear and I heard from a friend that Primark do it too. She likes their vests and she's a hardcore marathon runner.

DH is a triathlete and runs/cycles A LOT. All of his stuff is form fitting.

I want to try the 2XU compression tights, I hear v good things about them.

TheChandler no they are not. They are fitted. But they are not skin tight.

And if you run races (and Park Runs), you will see that not every runner is under a 14. By a long chalk. And anyway, people here are saying they are a 14 and they can't get into an XL. That's utterly ridiculous.

How are people supposed to get started running or getting fit if they cannot find suitable clothing (that doesn't flap about around your legs if it rains while you're running"). When you are bigger you already feel a chump when you start out (well I did anyway!) and not having the right clothes or bra makes that worse

My 2XU compression tights are absolutely brilliant. I heartily recommend them.

Showy Form fitting yes. Skin tight, no!

Agreed re the compression tights. I am currently (only just ) a size 14, and compression tights are fantastic, & stop any wobbles!

I am a genuine size 14. Sure, I have some size 12s and some size 16s in my wardrobe but the vast majority of my clothes are a size 14. But not fitness clothes. Any branded sports make sizes down, so I do not own size 14 sports wear from brands as it would be too small.

Marks and Sparks etc make their stuff in all sizes but I'd like to wear something nicer and I can't. Which pisses me off.

And I don't agree re the running thing. There are hundreds of women at my gym alone who regularly do fitness classes. They want to look good and feel comfortable. They don't need specific running gear, they need fitness wear. To give an example, look at any Davina McCall fitness DVD. She will be wearing capris and a slim fitting top, in adorable colours. That's the stuff I want. I can't find it. Likewise in fitness magazines. The fashion pages only show wacky gear that nobody really wants or can afford, but the pages that show you workout moves invariable feature a model wearing attractive, practical fitness wear. And no link to where to buy it AAAAAAAARGHHHHHH!!

I'm a 22/24 and got good cropped Lycra leggings for the gun from Asda but they are looking done now, and haven't seen them since. Do Sainsburys do them in size 22 does anyone know?