The Lycra encased marshmallow
I love clothes. And not just cos they can cover up any wobbly bits! The chance to add a bit of style to an outfit is one of my little pleasures.
I'm planning in the next few weeks to meet the requests from some of this blog's readers to talk about the type of clothes you can wear when bigger to look your best at any size - because I believe it's not until we feel good that we can lose weight successfully, keeping it off.
Clothes can help you look slimmer, shaplier and show off your best qualities.
Unless of course you are trying to get fit. Then you look a little bit like a marshmallow squeezed into a vacuum sealed bag, determined to show off every last curve whether it should be there or not.
Of course you can go the baggies, and wear a big tshirt with shorts, but after trying that during a balance class and finding the top over my head and nowhere near the skin it was meant to be covering up I've had to alter that and move back to the tight stuff. (though I still refuse to wear shiny Lycra.).
I can't really believe that no one seems to make good sportswear for people who are size fourteen plus. Over sixty five percent of New Zealanders are size fourteen or more, and around a third of us are classified as obese.
That's a lot of people who could do with some flattering sportswear! Is it because we really have bought into the "truth" that fat people don't ever move, and don't need to break into a sweat unless it's due to eating too many hot curries?
I wear a lot of clothes by Nicki McClintock who does design a casual range, that I will wear on the beach for a walk. I also wear one of her T's over the top of a singlet and shorts at the gym, but it's hotter than just wearing one layer. And let's face it- I've already got a fair few extra layers going on under my skin that the other's don't!
For those who DO design sports wear for the more curvaeous, do you actually design it with a curvy, roly poly body in mind? Or do you just grade up a size twelve, and not think about how it might work on a bigger body?
It's hard enough feeling like you are the fattest one at your gym when you first walk in without having to dress in the most unflattering gear possible while you do it. ESPECIALLY with all those mirrors around. I don't find that motivating in the slightest.
I've talked to others who want to get exercising and are a little big, and they all agree. The tops are too short and the trackpants and shorts are like hipsters.
Had anyone come across some awesome plus size sportswear that they found is awesome? I'd love to hear about it.
Rachel Goodchild is on Twitter.
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Hi Rachel, check out www.sportsupport.co.nz Fantastic sports bra for the 'well endowed'. And they come in pink!!!
Omg Rachel I'm with you on this one!!! Sooooo incredibly annoying trying to find good workout gear to cover all my lady lumps haha. A year or 2 ago the Warehouse brought out these yoga pants with a fold over waist band and they kinda flare out a little bit just below the knee. I love these because 1. they aren't tapered bike pants that make my hips look humongous and my legs uber tiny and 2. if you dont fold down the waist band thingee then it hides your flesh almost to beneath the bust... so when I'm bending and wobbling about I don't accidently end up flashing anyone. They went up to either a 2xl or 3xl from memory. To be honest I think this is the only place I've ever seen workout gear above a size 14... minus the size 18 bright orange Adidas lycra singlet I bought on clearance a couple of years ago.
Honestly, I've found the Active range at the Warehouse to be the absolute best for sports gear that fits well, and they have a good range of sizes. And its nice gear too, not crappy. Good price as well - when you're exercising to help lose weight you dont want to spend heaps on clothes that you will soon be too small for!!! And I find that Bendon do the best sports bras, with better sizing options than other brands - might cost a bit more but worth it if you dont want the girls round your knees.
Warehouse Warehouse Warehouse - both the Active range and the Cory Hutchings stuff if they still have it. I get all my sports gear there (bar sports bras, Berlei still own me there! and shoes, darn they are expensive!), and the quality has improved ten-fold over the years, plus the sizing is really good.
I have to agree with the other commenters. The warehouse has a really good range of stuff, and it's cheap too. I have also found some good shorts at KMart (not too short!).
I get my pole shorts from Supre. After a few washes they start to come up to my waist (always had a high rise, even when i was skinny). I cut down cycle pants to suit my needs as I need the inner thigh to grip for some moves, or I'll fall on my head. I need these to be tight-ish to stop flashing students. Singlets, I'll get from anywhere and we don't tend to use shoes at the level I teach. My shoes are not suited for the gym.
other than that, the Warehouse really has a great range. Shanton have good stuff too, and in more accommodating cuts too. To stop myself getting knocked out IF I ever run, I go to Kirks. But I don't run, just in case of self-induced concussion.
I'm used to being shut out of exercise clothing due to my size, so I was pleasantly surprised when I last bought running leggings - yes, the largest size available was a 14, but due to generous sizing & stretch fabrics, they fit my size 18-20 body! I never ever thought I'd be impressed by Nike, but they proved me wrong there.
I'm with you on the length of t-shirts though. It's been a struggle to find any that are long enough without swamping me sideways. Just an inch or so longer in the body would often be much more comfortable.
yes i love the warehouse range of pants active yoga pants as Erty mentions - they are soooooooooooooo comfy - good for sports as well as lazing around the house - i always stock up on them - they also have 3/4 versions too. However, I found the active sport tops weren't so good though for larger people - i've never found them in my size anyway......................... they always seemed a bit tight around the bust (which isn't that big!) and the butt
I love my Warehouse Active Intent pants, but my favourite exercise tops I bought from Postie Plus as they're a bit longer and have a better cut. Nice and breathable with no underarm chafing too, which helps.
I don't have such an issue with Sports bras though, the first place I lost weight was off my chest so pretty much any crop top is fine for my itty bitties!
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Puma! I swear by their running leggings, yeah they are lyrcaesque, but I can work out in them, run. And they don't ride up, and no chafe! I'm about a 16/18 but when I first got them I was a 20. No problem with them ever. No idea about the tops though, I've used the Active range from the warehouse, the breathable ones with holes etc, they are awesome too.