Full-figured women have more options than ever when shopping for workout clothing. Find apparel for activities from biking to yoga at these retailers. We tried samples from the following:
Athleta:Most of Athleta’s technical performance styles come in extended sizes including plus size, petite, tall and XXS. Look for updates like gusseted crotches to eliminate chafing.
Great idea: The Hitch Skirt Capri ($69) has a tight, body-conscious fit on its below-the-knee length capri but offers more coverage with an attached skirt.
BornFit: Based in Greeley, the company features women’s and maternity lines up to a roomy size XXL (about a 1 6/18). Hidden drawstrings on wide waistbands eliminate sag for a fitted, instead of frumpy, look. Cyclists will love the Lucille bike short with its sleek fit, padding and supportive waistband.
Our favorites: The Princeton Pant ($66) with moisture-wicking fabric and a wide waist band, and the perfect-length Brady Bermuda ($56) both wrinkle resistant.
The Company Store: In the CompanySpa collection, a touch of spandex jersey adds a flattering fit to the soft pima cotton. Sizes range in size from a misses 2 to a woman’s 22.
Testers’ tip: Mixing and matching is easy with muted black, graphite and navy, but try layering a magenta tank ($34) for a pop of energizing color during a yoga class.
Enell: The Enell Spport Bra offers superior support for well-endowed women to exercise and workout in greater comfort. Encapsulation and compression design stops the bounce, while wide shoulder straps, front hook-and-eye closure and a full back provide support.
Court-tested: The Enell Sport Bra ($64) held up during competitive volleyball play, while the Enell Lite Bra ($79) worked well for everyday wear.
Lane Bryant: Frequent Lane customers can expect to see technical performance wear with atheletes in mind unveiled next year. Until then, current active wear offerings are great for light weekend activities. Sizes range from 14 to 32.
How we wore them: The woven active capris with a drawstring bottom ($44.50) and matching zip-front woven vest ($49.50) transitioned easily from the office to the workout room.
Lolly38: Known for its flirty lingerie, Lolly38 took the plunge into workout clothes with its new yoga activewear line, Taffy. The line offers shapely (not baggy) sweat suits, curve-flattering tops and comfy yoga pants in soft, moveable fabric in sizes from 1 4/16 to 2 2/24.
Instant faves: The tailored black tank with its gray tank insert ($25), along with graphic-detailed black pants ($35). The jackets ($50) offer longer lengths with tailoring that comfortably hugs the waist for a feminine fit.
Lucy: Lucy does not offer a separate plus-size category, but extended sizes up to XL (1 6/18) have become more popular among clients looking for a little more room.
Pants to make you “hot”: One tester said said Lucy’s core yoga knee pant ($98) made her “sweat buckets, but moved easily and looked great on.”
REI: REI features several activewear styles. The REI OXT Tech Tank Top uses UPF 50+ sun protection to shield against ultraviolet rays.
Green-conscious athletes: Try REI’s ecoSensitive line made with recycled fabric that wicks away moisture and resists pilling and snagging.
Target: More plus-size offerings can be found at than in stores. Try the flat waistband skirt for walking. Mix and match these affordable pieces and make complete outfits by pairing them with hoodies.
For the hourglass figure: The flat waistband on the comfy straight-leg athletic pants ($29.99) has one of the best conforming fits for curvier waists.
Torrid: Torrid’s activewear line blends fashion and fitted form for younger consumers who revel in eye-catching turquoise and red, and neon multicolor prints. Sizes range from 10 to 32.
Great basic: Torrid’s classic activewear pant ($34) is the perfect outfit building block for numerous activities.
More online sources for plus-size activewear:
Sheba R. Wheeler
