need tips on non-clingy non-posey boring sensible warm sportswear for unfit middle aged women

[cucumbergin]

Over the past few years I've tried a few times to buy Clothes To Do Exercise in (i.e. not jeans), and the fecking things never fit comfortably, and always look utterly ridiculous. Either they're ridiculously clingy and designed to showcase the six-pack-wot-in-my-case-I-have-not-got (or worse still, your labia), or they are basically crop tops and pants (which make me feel like I forgot my gym kit and got sent out in my underwear), or they're so ridiculously uncomfortable that I can't actually exercise in them, or they fall off.

Now my DC is getting super keen on [hobby] and wants me to go [hobbying] too (okay it's bouldering), so I need to buy suitable clothing that I can move in, covers as much of my body as humanly possible because the fecking place is so unbelievably cold, and doesn't make me look like I'm trying to be some super cool twenty year old. (I was never cool even at twenty. And not sporty either.)

Help me Style and Beauty. Does non-clingy, warm, loose-fitting sportswear actually exist? Where am I going wrong trying to find it?

Have you looked at M&S? They do surprisingly decent sportswear as long as you avoid the more frumpy dodgy patterns.

Nike has some Pro Hyper Warm leggings that might work for keeping you warm but allowing movement.

The secret to outdoor sport in winter is layering. This also works well for those of us who are middle aged enough to not want to exercise in the equivalent of a bikini. So, for example, with leggings you can wear baggier shorts over them. Keeps you warm, stops any camel toe.

I have to admit that in M&S I go for the gin, not the clothes. I would never have thought to go look at their sportswear, thanks! Looking through their website now and spotted a few things to try on.

Layering might work, would also let me actually wear some of the too clingy leggings I've bought in the past.

Do as I do and buy simple running tights( I have black and navy) and pull a simple matching tube skirt or an anclent pair of cargo shorts over for street supermarket shopping, with ankle boots. Job done, and my 'look' is often admired.as long, as you are 50+. T shirt and cashmere jumper and you are a) warm and b) dressed for most casual occasions.

Heard an interview with the bloke behind Parkrun the other day. He's just bringing out a range of sportswear for the newly sporty who are not regular sporty-person-shaped. Sound like the stuff you're after.

Unfortunately I know nothing else about it.

For bouldering you just need clothes you can flex in - yoga pants are ideal and not too clingy or you could get some specialist climbing trousers - ocun, prana, rab and moon are all brands with flattering loose fit climbing pants - I live in them!

Try Decathlon - thick running tights or their mountaineering trousers (not sure which is more suitable for bouldering - I have both, for running, hiking and snow-shoeing and they are practical and not revealing. They also do a range of tops, fleeces, base layers and cycling cagoules which are likely to be suitable. All v competitively priced and the colours are usually OK (bar the odd orange monstrosity).

Something like this with a t shirt
www.bananafingers.co.uk/pants/trangoworld/fit

Love bouldering - stick with it!

OP you sound fab. I was going to recommend Rab as well - originally a climbing brand so their stuff has gusseted legs/armpits so you’ve got good freedom of movement, and is designed for ‘get outside and not get pissed off by dysfunctional clothing’ people rather than ‘pout into gym mirror with casually exposed washboard abs’ people.

The sizing is perhaps slightly small, but I nick my husband’s base layers for running in and they’re slouchy Without getting in the way. They do a fibre blend called Meco which is warm when it’s chilly but not boil-in-a-bag sweaty once you get moving.

Veterinari - loose fit climbing pants sound great but I would be embarrassed at doing that "rank beginner turning up with all the gear" thing - probably silly, I know, but find Big Halls Full Of Fit Exercising People quite intimidating at the best of times. Even though they seem pretty friendly and encouraging.

Plus having a six year old shouting encouragingly "go on Mummy, you can do it" doesn't help me feel like I'm blending into the background

I like sweaty Betty for leggings- good quality fabric and supportive - soft of hold it all in without being restrictive. They have a sale on right now.

Decathlon is great and cheap and Mountain Warehouse also good for looser stuff

The parkrun clothes are branded ‘Contra’ I believe.

If you’re looking for running type gear ie lycra leggings and top then I second M&S . Tescos is also good and cheap, Sweatshop has loads of choice. You could also try runmummyrun.co.uk .

For what its worth I’d consider tight lycra rather than baggy as there’s less chance of chaffing ! Try runderwear for chafe free knickers (expensive but so worth it). Add a tshirt and you’re ready to go. There are lots of baggy post run tops that you coukd throw on top .

Have fun, you’ve just been given free licence to get an additional wardrobe !

Alpkit , Decathlon,

I like the look of those Trangoworld pants tho.

also like the sound of " designed for ‘get outside and not get pissed off by dysfunctional clothing’ people rather than ‘pout into gym mirror with casually exposed washboard abs’ people"

I have clearly been looking in all the wrong places for sportswear. Thanks all! If I don't feel utterly ridiculous I might actually get off my arse and do a bit more exercise.

Decathlon all the way. If you're near one of their stores go and visit, take the kids, just be careful you don't come home with a canoe and full archery set too

Sounds like you could do with a long sleeved base layer or thermal top (I ran parkrun today in a thermal black long sleeved top from m and s and my running coat).

Check out go outdoors if you have one - seriously climbing people won’t give a toss what you wear or how you perform - it’s all about enjoying the wall, whatever your look/level
However be prepared to be totally outckimved by your 6 year old! They’re fearless at that age

Another vote for M and S. They have some horribly clingy leggings (fine if you're young and stick thin), but I've also bought a couple of pairs of comfy, looser leggings/tracky bottom sort of things in there.

Outdoor shops rather than sports shops (eg Millets, Trespass etc rather than JD, SportsDirect etc) are good for layers for the top half for outdoor exercise.

Gap do some decent sports wear too.

This is the Parkrun Contra range

contra-movement.com

Decathlon stuff is very good (I have loads of it - and agree you have to be careful about what else you get when you're in there - skateboard and wetsuit )

Also second Decathlon and M&S. If you're looking for looser leggings, make sure they have a cuff (like yoga pants) as there is little more annoying than you pant leg ending up mid calf / bunched around your knees whilst in the middle of bouldering!

Also for warmth wear silk thermals underneath your yoga pants, that way in summer you can just wear the same stuff without the thermals

Bamboo Clothing always have nice things