Walk New York to L.A.: Real Bodies, Real Workout Clothes
The average American woman is about a size 14. A frightening majority of black women are overweight or obese. However, cute fitness clothes often stop somewhere around size 14–and in the case of the popular and chic lululemon, sizes only go up to 12. So what are the rest of us supposed to wear to the gym? A smile? What do you work out in if you’re size 16 or larger? Sweats, Cotton T-shirts? Baggy, bunchy shorts? Stuff from the men’s department? No, no, no and no.
Looking and feeling cute while you work is important no matter what your size. A hot new outfit is incentive to hit the gym or the trail. With every drop of sweat you honor and challenge the body you have while making it leaner, better, faster, stronger.
Companies are beginning to get it and have started making figure-flattering fitness wear for every body. And the designs are getting smarter. Ever wonder why the capris that you finally found in your size still just don’t fit right–too loose in the waist, tight in the butt, short in the crotch, tight on the thighs? Because companies sometimes take the quick route and just size clothing up from size 8, rather than sizing down from, say 14 for better proportions. Trust us, a size 16 isn’t just size 8 with twice the fabric.
Some companies have begun to carry workout wear in larger sizes and in proper proportions made of the techiest and softest fabrics. New Balance, the famed shoe company, not only makes shoes in wide and narrow widths, but several items in its fitness clothing lines–including the Lace up for the Cure line of shoes and apparel–come in 2XL as well as 2X-small. (newbalance.com)
Mio Wear (miowear.com) has a small but smart selection of fitness wear ranging form sizes 14-24 and 1XL to 4XL.
Junonia (junonia.com) sizes its clothing up from size 16, carrying sizes from XL to 6XL. Search for the right gear by activities ranging from adventure travel to softball.
Workout wear for curvy girls is getting there, but there’s still a need for a wider array of flattering designs, prettier fabrics and for goodness sakes better looking bras that don’t look like breastplates from the set of “300″.
