April 21st 2023

plus size running clothes :: Article Creator

The Best Plus-Size Workout Clothes

outdoor voices

Plus size workout clothes have come a long way in the past decade. With top designers like Calvin Klein and stores such as Macy's having whole sections dedicated to plus size athletic wear, your choices may seem limitless. The important thing is to narrow in on the styles, colors, designers, and fabrics that empower you to feel your best while exercising. When you feel beautiful in the clothes you wear to workout, it's only natural to feel more like exercising. Consider adding these stylish and fun exercise clothes to your closet.

Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress

Exercise Dress

Outdoor Voices

Who says workout clothes can't be super cute? Outdoor Voices has a plus size exercise outfit that is also a little black dress. It also comes in navy, black with while polka dots, evergreen, scarlet, and a vivid orange color that's called rind. For something even more lively, you can get the exercise dress in a colorful floral pattern called paprika blooms. This versatile exercise dress is made out of the company's LightSpeed fabric. That unique fabric is designed to be comfortable, breathable, and easy to wear for however long or short your workout is. The dress also has a concealed phone pocket, which makes it easy to take along your phone and count your steps even on the treadmill or elliptical machine. The pretty dress is made of 85 percent nylon and 15 percent spandex, and it has an UnderAir shorts liner for worry-free coverage and comfort.

SHOP NOW Ideology Plus Size You Are Beautiful Graphic Sweatshirt

You Are Beautiful Sweatshirt

Ideology for Macy's By

Elyse Moody

Contributor

The Best Plus-Size Workout Clothes To Pack For Active Trips

It's 2023 and no one should be left settling for workout gear that makes them feel anything less than comfortable, supported, and, well, good. After all, the versatility of a pair of leggings and a comfy crewneck sweater cannot be denied—whether you're staring down a long-haul flight or a marathon-length run. Athleisure can provide a comfortable and breathable cocoon for you to dig into between take-off and landing or a high-performing workout essential that's just as important as your water bottle.

Admittedly, there is a long way to go before we can all walk into a store and find sizes to try on. So we're making a choice here: We could spend hundreds of words talking about how the fashion industry is leaving out a massive community of people with its lack of size inclusivity—instead, we're going to applaud the brands getting it absolutely right.

After all, workout fits are expected to transition seamlessly from yoga class to grocery store to airport terminal—leggings and half-zips are far from the one-track style they used to be. Ahead, we pulled together the brands that are designing with a size-inclusive lens. In fact, all of the plus-size activewear options below offer sizes up to at least a 3X, many going far beyond.

Running apparel

Hiking gear

Athleisure

Running or high-impact workouts

There are a few things to think about when it comes to running and high-impact workout gear. Consider how much support you'll need, the level of compression you find comfortable, and how much you sweat—some fabrics, like polyester and nylon, are more breathable than others.

Nike

Sizes offered: XS-4X

Nike is a tried-and-true option for plus-size workout clothes that will support and last through years of runs and high-intensity workout classes. From base layers to running shoes in wide options and sports bras, the brand uses sustainable materials and tests its designs with professional athletes so you get the most breathable and comfortable fits. Don't sleep on the long-sleeve base layers, they're the perfect addition for cold-weather jogs.

$42.00, Nike

$58.00, Nike

Girlfriend Collective

Sizes offered: XXS-6X

Girlfriend Collective's size range is impressive compared to most other brands on the market, offering up to a size 6X in all styles. There are two main types of clothing to choose from: the Float collection (a lighter design) and compressive, made for high-impact workouts with moisture-wicking materials. In particular, the compressive high-waist bike shorts are a great option for those who suffer from a little (and incredibly annoying) thing called "waistband slip." Girlfriend Collective also has a beautiful rainbow of colors to choose from—far from the simple neutral colors you generally see in plus-size clothing.

$46.00, Girlfriend Collective

$58.00, Girlfriend Collective

Superfit Hero

Sizes offered: L-7X

While Superfit Hero has a full portfolio of activewear, from tank tops to leggings, the bras are an essential if you're looking for complete control on your runs. Look to the SuperHold collection, which offers a range of sports bra designs: some have zippers (a great accessible design detail) and others serve up extra compression.

$75.00, Superfit Hero

Old Navy

Sizes offered: XS-4X

If you're shopping for running gear on a budget, don't overlook a classic: Old Navy. With most clothing coming in under $25, you can get a great deal on a full set. The sports bras are not the most supportive, but the leggings won't slip. Plus, there are a ton of designs and they rotate quickly—perfect for the runner who loves a little outfit variety.

$27.00, Old Navy

$40.00, Old Navy

Adidas

Sizes offered: XS-4X, 30DD-48DD

Adidas often collaborates with designers and artists to create beautiful activewear. Some highlights: Marimekko, 11 Honoré, and Stella McCartney. Gone are the days when plus-size bodies are subjected to boring, basic black running outfits—just look at those biker shorts. Adidas even makes it possible to match your shoes to your entire outfit. Prepare to rake in the compliments.

$85.00, Adidas

$65.00, Adidas

Hiking

One of the biggest issues with hiking clothes is the complete lack of pockets. That, and that plus-size hiking pants have trouble finding the perfect middle ground of stretch; we're looking for something that skips the saggy butts and doesn't have a cramp-inducing waistband—and we found just that, plus some great fleece sweaters, outerwear, and more.

Alder Apparel

Sizes offered: XS-6X

Alder Apparel is one of the most exciting activewear brands out there, offering hiking essentials made of high-quality recycled materials (skorts, workout tops, and joggers included). Founded by two women, the Canadian company focuses on feedback from customers to develop new designs. And while hiking gear is the heart of this brand, each piece doubles as a comfortable lounge option (I wear my Open Air hiking pants constantly, even off the paths.)

$168.00, Nordstrom

$155.00, Nordstrom

The Wondery

Sizes offered: XS-6X

This women-owned brand is great for the more technical hiker, someone who doesn't mind jumping right into the dirt and bushes of the great outdoors. While the brand's iconic hiking pants—the Isabel 2.0—doesn't quite hit the top of the brand's size range (they only go up to a 3X), the number of pockets is a massive advantage. The material is durable; these hiking essentials can endure more than a few snags.

$72.00, Wondery

$96.00, Wondery

Athleta

Sizes offered: XXS-3X, 0-26

Athleta is another budget-friendly option, one that has some surprisingly chic hidden gems. From jackets and shorts to joggers and workout dresses, there are options for all corners of the activewear world. Plus, you can also stock up on trail essentials like water bottles and sun hats.

$69.00, Athleta

$109.00, Athleta

Yitty

Sizes offered: XS-6X

If you're looking for a super-cute two-piece set to debut on the trail, head to Yitty. The brand's inclusive sets span leggings and sports bras to bike shorts and hoodies. There are so many things to love about Lizzo, and her size-inclusive brand is one of them.

$140.00, Fabletics

$135.00, Fabletics

Eddie Bauer

Sizes offered: XS-3X, 0-24W

You'd be hard-pressed not to spot an Eddie Bauer design on the trail, no matter where you may be. Founded in 1920, the jackets span all weather types—a good option for travelers who may be crossing different climates or looking for an all-purpose outer layer.

$259.00, Moosejaw

$37.00, Amazon

Athleisure

Sometimes you need to take it one step comfier than leggings with a pair of soft pants (our word for the cozy go-to pair you slip into every time you get home). These are the outfits that would work fine in a gentle yoga or stretching session, and really shine when you've got a long day of travel ahead of you.

Skims

Sizes offered: XXS-5X

From leggings and sweaters to tanks and bike shorts, Skims is a hot spot for comfortable travel outfits. Fans of minimalist color palettes will have a great time stepping into Kim Kardashian's mind—each piece is something she would (and does) wear. The roomy, super-soft sweatshirts are a personal favorite—all the better to fall asleep against an airplane window in. (Helpful tip: New arrivals tend to sell out quickly, but you might have luck finding pieces at retailers like Nordstrom or Net-a-Porter.)

$78.00, Skims

$36.00, Skims

Universal Standard

Sizes offered: 00-40

Universal Standard completely changed size-inclusive shopping with its expansive size range. The brand serves up never-ending outfit inspiration for every situation from workwear and date night outfits to activewear, but the loungewear is made of sustainably sourced jersey cotton and is impossibly soft.

$98.00, Universal Strand

$54.00, Universal Strand

Big Bud Press

Sizes offered: XP-6X

The easiest way to look put together and—dare we say it—chic in an airport is to go all in on a monochromatic outfit. Big Bud Press makes it simple, with a rainbow of color options and a handful of loungewear options that you'll treasure for years to come. Throw on this outfit for a trip across the world or a quick hop over to the grocery store.

$40.00, Big Bud Press

$95.00, Big Bud Press

Eileen Fisher

Sizes offered: PP-3X

I dare you to try and find a pant silhouette or a top style that Eileen Fisher doesn't have. The luxe fabrics make wiggling into a pair of pants or sliding into a long-sleeve turtleneck feel like a celebration. The brand's materials focus on sustainability, more often than not featuring organic cotton and organic linen.

$138.00, Eileen Fisher

Wray

Sizes offered: XXS-6XL

This woman-owned, NYC–based brand has a loyal following for its size-inclusive designs—and its lounge sets. While there are a limited number of designs, the checkered set has become a go-to for the style inclined. The pajama-like vibes make it perfect for settling into a long journey after a mad dash to catch your flight.

$189.00, Wray

'A Definitive Backslide.' Inside Fashion's Worrying Runway Trend

Written by Leah Dolan, CNN

Now that the Fall-Winter 2023 catwalks have been disassembled, it's clear one trend was more pervasive than any collective penchant for ruffles, pleated skirts or tailored coats.

Across runways in New York, London, Milan and Paris, there was a notable scarcity of plus-size models. This comes at a time when there are five injectable medications which can be used as appetite suppressants currently available by prescription in the US, stirring much conversation; a sixth medication, Rybelsus, is taken as an oral pill. Two are officially approved in the UK — the largest influx of weight loss medication seen in the country in almost a decade.

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In recent months, injectables such as Wegovy and Ozempic — which share the same active ingredient, semaglutide — have been widely reported as Hollywood's worst-kept weight loss secret. (Ozempic is intended for use primarily to treat Type 2 diabetes.) Comedian Chelsea Handler claimed her "anti-aging doctor just hands (Ozempic) out to anybody" while appearing on a podcast in January. Even Elon Musk tweeted last year about being on Wegovy.

For many fashion commentators and diversity advocates, the Fall-Winter 2023 runways were in sharp contrast to the (albeit limited) progress and heady promise of recent seasons. This rollback has been widely criticized in the style media as such. And its potential impact is being assessed more broadly: With the rise of these weight loss panaceas, the pursuit of size zero is now just a prescription away.

The Fall-Winter failings

In 2020, Jill Kortleve and Paloma Elsesser became the first models outside of a sample size to walk for the Italian fashion house Fendi. (Traditionally, a sample size falls between a US 0-4.) British label Erdem entered the plus-size market in 2021, extending its offering to a UK size 22 (or US size 18). And in January 2022, Valentino made headlines after its haute couture show featured a broad spectrum of body types. But this season, there was a visible lack of curve bodies on their runways — or many others.

Fendi and Valentino did not respond when contacted by CNN, while Erdem declined to comment.

According to fashion search engine Tagwalk, the number of mid and plus-size models dropped by 24% in comparison to Spring-Summer 2023. Similarly, a size inclusivity report conducted by Vogue Business found that 95.6% of all looks presented for Fall-Winter 2023 were in a size US 0-4. For context, industry market firm Plunkett Research estimated in 2015 that 68% of American women wear a size US 14 or above.

Models on the runway at Erdem's Fall-Winter 2023 show during London Fashion Week. Credit: Aitor Rosas Sune/WWD/Getty Images

"It was a definitive backslide," said IMG model agent Mina White, who represents plus-size and curve supermodels including Elsesser and Ashley Graham. "It was frustrating to see some of these designers not using curved bodies where they had in the past." Fendi and Valentino did not respond when contacted by CNN, while Erdem declined to comment.

"Watching somebody like Ashley Graham attend the front row for so many of these major houses in full looks (provided by the designer), it was frustrating," White continued. "They wanted to utilize her image and her social following to command a certain space in the market, but they didn't want to be reflective on their runways."

For others, even the term "backslide" was too generous. "Slipping back from... What? A glorious time when the average American woman (size 16) was as present on the runways as she is in everyday life? A time when fashion ads cast as many 'plus-size' and 'mid-size' women as 'straight-size' women?" fashion journalist Amy Odell wrote in her Substack newsletter of this past season's runways. "No one needed any data to understand that representing a wide array of body shapes and sizes in runway shows or in fashion imagery is not a priority for the industry."

That said, a handful of — mostly smaller — brands pushed ahead this season. In London, emerging labels Di Petsa, Karoline Vitto and Sinead O'Dwyer showcased lineups of size-diverse models. Inclusivity at Christian Siriano, Coach, Kim Shui, Collina Strada and Bach Mai stood out in New York; while in Paris, Belgian brand Esther Manas — a consistent flag-bearer for size diversity — staged one of the city's most refreshing runways with an assortment of fun, sensual, feminine looks that complimented a range of bodies.

During Paris Fashion Week, Ester Manas staged one of the most size-inclusive runways this season. Credit: Richard Bord/Getty Images

There was also a smattering of mid- and plus-size castings to be seen elsewhere: Off-White and Michael Kors, for example, featured a few such models. At Harris Reed's debut for Nina Ricci, Precious Lee opened the show — which also featured three more plus- and mid-size models.

It starts with sample size

Fashion samples and sample size pieces are one-off garments made before an item is mass-produced, typically to be worn during runway shows. Prioritizing the same body type in sample sizes means runway models are more easily interchangeable, saving fashion houses time and money if someone were to drop out or get sick during or after the casting process for a show.

It's also partly why, according to White, casting curve models is still an uphill battle. She says she introduces brands to new faces months in advance of runway season, with their specific measurements up-top and easy to read in all correspondence. "I want to be ahead of that," White said. "So I'm never told 'Oh, we wanted to make it work, but we didn't have her size' or whatever that conversation might look like."

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But despite her efforts, she says she's frequently told it's too much of a "financial lift" to make larger samples — even by legacy brands. "I get very upset when brands say that," White said. "I don't believe that it is, I believe that it's people not being properly educated on how to do this right."

A look from London-based brand Di Petsa's Fall-Winter 2023 collection. Credit: Aitor Rosas Sun/WWD/Getty Images

Beyond the lack of representation, White notes it's painful for plus-size consumers to watch brands leverage resources to create custom, made-to-fit pieces for celebrities — all the while claiming the pot is empty for more inclusive runway samples.

London-based stylist and editor Francesca Burns agrees sample sizes are part of the problem. In 2020, Burns went viral after she posted on Instagram about a fashion job gone wrong. She says she was sent five looks to style from Celine, none of which fit the size UK 8 (US 4) model booked for the shoot— an 18-year-old on her first job in the business. The experience left her "horrified," Burns told CNN, recalling what she saw as the model's shame and embarrassment. "Looking into this girl's eyes," Burns said, "she shouldn't have felt like that."

Burns' post, which called the current system "unacceptable," was picked up widely in the fashion media. (When reached by CNN, Celine declined to comment on the incident.) "Ultimately, the desire to see change has to be there," Burns said. "And I wonder whether luxury has that desire?"

A case for change

Progress has been slow, but not entirely inexistent. Across fashion campaigns, magazine covers and editorial shoots, there is a growing enthusiasm for inclusivity. "I see the options rolling in for the plus-sized talent, and they're great offerings," said White. "Great, strong editorials and covers and campaigns. But I do feel like without the clothes, we are going to go back to see more naked curve stories, or lingerie curve stories or a curve girl in a trench coat. That's what I don't want."

For British Vogue's April issue, unveiled March 16, Elsesser, Lee and Jill Kortleve were dubbed "The New Supers." Preceding the cover story is a letter written by editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful commending the models for "leading the way" and holding "powerful space" in the industry. "Catwalks are once again under scrutiny for a stark lack of body diversity," read the magazine's Instagram caption, unveiling the cover. "But this cover was not conceived as a statement. It is a crowning of an all-powerful trio, the supermodels for a new generation."

But many online were quick to point out the disconnect: Two of the Saint Laurent Spring-Summer 2023 dresses were modeled by plus-size women, though they are not available to buy in most plus sizes.

See the full feature in the April issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands from March 21. Credit: Inez & Vinoodh/Vogue

In his own social media post, Enninful wrote about his disappointment at the Fall-Winter 2023 runways. "I thought I had gotten into a time machine. Show after show dominated by one body type, so many limited visions of womanhood... One prescribed notion of beauty prevailed again, and it felt like the reality of so many women around the world were being ignored."

But for White, the power rests within the entire industry — not just at the feet of brands. "I really do believe there should be an industry standard between the (Council of Fashion Designers of America), the British Fashion Council and key editors at some of these major mass market magazines," she continued. "If there was a call-to-action from these figureheads saying, moving forward samples need to be readily available for a few different body types, we would see significant and impactful change."

Burns agrees there must be a trickle-down effect. "I think a lot of responsibility is put on young designers to solve all these issues around sustainability or issues around body inclusivity," she said. "It's important that the big powerhouses, which have the capacity to action change, really take some responsibility."

'No such thing as a free lunch'

On March 8, Wegovy — developed primarily as a treatment for those living with obesity and weight-related conditions — was approved in the UK. It's the second injectable weight management medication to be made available with a prescription via the country's National Health Service (NHS) in about 3 years, after almost a decade of quiet. Before 2020, the last weight loss medication was approved in the UK was in 2010.

Similarly, the US has now approved three weight management injections: Wegovy, Saxenda and IMCIVREE. Medications for type-2 diabetes like Mounjaro and Ozempic are not FDA-approved for weight loss, though some doctors are issuing them at their own discretion.

While these medicines are a revolutionary tool for those who struggle to lose weight for genetic or medical reasons, they are at risk of being abused.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, was originally developed for treating type-2 diabetes. It quells hunger signals to the brain by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). "It can slow how quickly your stomach empties out and may give you a little more feeling of feeling full," said Dr. Robert Lash, an endocrinologist and Chief Medical Officer of the Endocrine Society in Washington, D.C. In clinical trials, over a period of 68 weeks, participants who used the medication in conjunction with eating fewer calories and increasing their physical activity on average lost around 15% of their body weight compared to 2.4% of those using a placebo, according to the manufacturer Novo Nordisk. On March 13, the European Medicines Agency issued a statement warning of an Ozempic shortage that could continue through the year, urging doctors to prioritize prescriptions to diabetics. "Any other use, including for weight management, represents off-label use and currently places the availability of Ozempic for the indicated population at risk," read the release. Patients typically need a BMI of 27 or higher (along with another weight-related condition like high blood pressure or diabetes) or have a genetic predisposition towards obesity to be prescribed such appetite suppressant medication by their doctor. But talk of these injectables has been sweeping the West. In January, the New York Times reported on the term "Ozempic Face," coined by a New York-based dermatologist who reported treating several patients with a hollowed-out appearance that can come with rapid weight loss. By the end of February, the medication had made it to the cover of New York Magazine in a feature titled "Life After Food?" Adverts for GLP-1 injections are even blanketing New York City subway stations.

GLP-1 injections are now being marketed in New York City's subways. Credit: Courtesy Ro

And across social media, online forums and private group chats, some people looking to lose weight for primarily aesthetic purposes are searching for a way to skirt the requirements.

"I was just looking for a way to lose a few pounds, like 10 to 15 at most," said one 30-year-old American woman, who wished to remain anonymous, in a phone interview. She scoured social media and forums for guidance on securing a weight loss drug. "I'm certainly a normal BMI, I just have a trip to Mexico coming up and I want to look really good," she said.

Although she says she found a way to access Wegovy, she decided against the medication after considering the cost (which can reach more than $1,000 a month without insurance). "I've always very much fit the societal standard but lately I was just like f*ck it, I want to be skinny," she told CNN.

Dr. Lash emphasized the importance of taking weight loss drugs only with medical supervision and a valid prescription. "If somebody was a normal weight and they took this drug because they thought they could be even thinner than they are now, that could lead to complications," he told CNN, warning of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even gallbladder problems. "These drugs are not benign, they do have side effects involving the GI tract. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Every body is invited

Fashion has long promoted size 0 as the ultimate virtue — regardless of its viability for many people, or any health risks. And now with the accessibility of accelerated weight loss medication, the stakes are even higher. For Burns and White, the industry is responsible for amplifying a new, more inclusive vision of beauty.

"There's a very archaic way of looking at women over a size 16 and just assuming that they're unhealthy or uneducated or unstylish. Or don't have the resources to buy into luxury," said White. "The reality is the same women these brands are alienating in their fashion space are the same women running out to buy their handbags, shoes, perfumes, cosmetics and skincare."

"Every body is invited," read the show notes for Ester Manas' Fall-Winter 2023 collection. Credit: Kay-Paris Fernandes/Getty Images

Not only do designers need to create clothes with this consumer in mind, according to White, but they need to be seen on the runway, too.

"It shouldn't be a conversation. It should just be normalized that we're not just looking at a single view of beauty," echoed Burns.

Ester Manas and Balthazar Delepierre, whose bridal-inspired Fall-Winter 2023 collection was one of this season's most size-diverse runways, summarized it best in their accompanying show notes: "The body is not the subject. Because, obviously, at a wedding, everybody is invited. And all to the party. That is where the designer duo Ester and Balthazar take their stand."

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