Wearing workout clothes that make you feel good makes a huge difference in your motivation and confidence. That’s true of women of all sizes! More active fashion brands are taking note and stepping up to the plate by offering an extended range of sizing options. No matter your size, you don’t have to be relegated to frumpy old t-shirts or baggy thrift store shorts.
Here’s where you can find plus size activewear that doesn’t compromise on style or quality.
Lola Getts
Lola Getts is premium activewear made specifically for plus size women. Instead of cheap activewear that needs to be replaced after 3 washes, Lola Getts focuses on quality. They are a smaller company but have quite a few promising styles. Their sizing fits up to a size 28. Find Lola Getts gear on their website.
Evolve Fit Wear
Evolve stocks a couple different plus size brands, all of which bring lots of vibrant colors and cute styles to the table. Although they have some more expensive styles, they also have leggings as low as $24. Their sizes go up to 3X or 4X, depending on the brand. See their full selection here.
Pictured: Tema Athletics cool it off mesh legging
Yogasmoga
Yogasmoga is a NYC-based brand that prides itself on ethical, USA-made activewear. Their aesthetic is clean and sophisticated. Yogasmoga uses numbered sizing and offers up to size 18. Most of the extended size styles are in neutral colors, but they’re gradually adding more color to the mix. Peruse their extended size collection here.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom is home to a smorgasbord of premium plus size options, including their in-house label, Zella. Their selection includes everything from cozy cover-ups to high-impact sports bras to leggings. Browse their selection here.
Pictured: Zella enlighten me cardigan
Athleta
Gap’s active branch offers a whole heap of special sizes, including plus sizes up to 2X. You can find a wide variety of styles and colors–no need to stick with plain black leggings. Their collection also includes athleisure/transitional pieces like dresses and sweaters. You can find their plus size selection online here.
Juno Active
Juno is another brand that specializes in active styles specifically for plus size women, up to size 6X. They even have crops with side pockets! Browse the rest of their collection here.
K-Deer
A lot of plus size lineups feature black, black, and more black, but if you love bold colors and patterns, K-Deer has you covered. Their label is known for their bright colors and in-your-face patterns. Anything but boring black here! They’re also vocal supporters of body diversity in fitness, and frequently share images of women of all shapes and sizes on their Instagram feed.
Most K-Deer leggings–including their signature stripes!–are available up to 4X on their website.
Pictured: wild card leggings
Calia by Carrie
Carrie Underwood’s workout lineup recently added extended sizes to the mix. The styles are still limited since their plus sizes are new, but you’ll find many styles available up to 2x. You can find Calia online and in stores at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Bombsheller
Bombsheller is built around printed leggings in a variety of bold, unique, and maybe slightly crazy prints. From geometric to silly to edgy, they have a TON of prints to suit your style. All their leggings are made to order in the USA, and you can get most of their styles up to size 6X. You can shop their collection here.
Pictured: cakewalk leggings (yes, those are a real thing)
Inexpensive alternatives
If those brands gave you major sticker shock, I found quite a few other options that are easier on the wallet.
Kohl’s, Target, and Old Navy are always good stand-bys. Forever21 stocks trendy styles up to size 3X with mesh, strappy backs, and fun prints. Plus size specialist Torrid also stocks some cute gear in sizes up to 5X at a medium price point.
This is great – just the other day my friend was telling me that the only brand she can wear is zella (which she loves). I told her about K-Deer and now can forward her all these other great options. Thanks, AA!
Awesome! I hope she can find something new that she loves. :)
This is a nice list! If I’m not mistaken Fabletics offer a good range of sizes too in the affordable price range. I’m not a fan of the subscription method but they do offer really nice styles and they quite good for a variety of workouts.
They offer up to XXL, which I’m not sure is quite plus size territory or not. Definitely way better than the ones who only offer up to size L though!
Great post as always. While I am not a plus sized gal I still struggle finding that perfect Cinderella, Three Bears fit. I am petite 5′ mesomorph body type 125 lbs. I’m stocky and muscular I wear a size 8 in tops for lululemon and size 6 in bottoms. The size 8 in tops are always too long in the torso and arms and the size 6 in bottoms are always to long in the length. The struggle is sooo real when trying to find clothes that fit. Luckily I sew and I do most of my own alterations. What is a bummer is the fact that not all petite girls are super skinny. I’m not. The problem that I find is that when things are actually catered to petite girls I feel like the retail industry assumes that all petite girls are super skinny so a sized 8 is a size 8 shorted but also sized down everywhere else. I love leggings with stirups the problem is that they are ALWAYS too long so I have to alter them myself. At any rate I’m glad more and more active wear companies are catering to plus sized women but I would love to see some cater to us petite gals.
Hi! I’m also on the shorter side (5’3″, 125) and wear 6 in lululemon (I’m quite busty so 8 in their bras). Have you checked out Athleta? I find the quality comparable to lulu but they also offer petite sizes in many of their Capri and leggings. Love their Chaturanga leggings in petite high-rise!
We have such a similar body type…I’m 4’11” and similar-ish weight (I can’t weigh…it’s a trigger). It’s a struggle sometimes to find cute, flattering clothes that don’t require alterations with decent proportions.
I’m really loving Lorna Jane for high performance gear. I teach yoga and do thai massage and have found a local seamstress making adorable, comfy leggings for a decent price and she makes them short for me. :)
It’s funny you say that, because when it comes to shopping for petite clothes, I find that they often leave off the “skinny” side of the spectrum. That is, many petite lines will start at size 2, even though there are many 0/00P ladies. I suppose the moral of the story is that they cater to the middle? :) Anyway, yes, special sizes are *always* frustrating to navigate! I hope more brands introduce more petite-friendly options, too.
Hey y’all, am weary to post this here because the brand is not mentioned but today, Saturday July 16th, Teeki is have a one day anniversary sale of 32% off site wide
AA: although I’m not plus size, a) I have friends who are so can pass this along to them (thank you for your amazing round ups!) and b) I’m in the Goldilocks category too: am borderline petite & carry my weight in my butt & legs (which is by no means toned). I have yet to find a go-to reliable brand. So far, each pair of leggings kept seems to be a choice of compromise. (I know, first world problems but I’m disabled, in constant pain & need to be wearing comfortable clothing. I live in leggings along w/ going to PT & doing Pilates)
As always, thank you for not blogging
myopically :D
Thanks for the tip about Teeki, Sara! :) It’s always tough to find the “just right” kind of clothes when you deviate from the average in any way. Hopefully you can find your Goldilocks brand too! I’m still waiting for a new brand to come out with made-to-measure activewear… :)
Lucy Activewear has started offering plus sizes, too.
It’s good to see companies acknowledge that athletes come in all shapes and sizes.
Oh thanks Sara! I’ll have to add Lucy to this post–I missed them the first time. :)
Just wanted to thank you for doing this post! Active plus-size peeps are out there—and we want the same stuff everyone else has! AA, appreciate you blogging for all sizes. :)
You’re so welcome, Rebecca! I’m glad that more and more brands are finally realizing exactly what you said. :)