Where to Shop For Quality Plus Size Activewear
Been to Athleta lately? A place plus size folks had relied on for quality activewear up to 3X, lately, Athleta's plus size offerings are dwindling, and those that are left are usually only in black or navy. Sadly, another retailer has decided not to cater to the average woman in the United States, and it's even worse when it's apparel that one needs to move and live actively.
I could go on a rant about how retailers claim to be all-inclusive with a plus size collection and then fail to put the effort into promoting it to the right audiences for long enough for a wary, often-screwed-over audience to gain enough trust to spend money. Instead, I'm going to share where to shop for quality plus size activewear.
I began writing this article, and then wisely searched the Wardrobe Oxygen archives and found I wrote on this very topic before… in 2017. Wow, a lot has changed in the plus size activewear world in the past eight years. It made more sense to update the old post completely and get rid of old information than create a second list of quality plus size activewear retailers. The comments may be old, but this post has been completely overhauled with 2025-appropriate content and recommendations.
Where to Shop for Quality Plus Size Activewear
Not all activewear is created equal, nor are the size charts. I'm not down with an XXXL equaling a size 14, or a brand ending at 18 and considering themselves “inclusive.” If the reviews say the line runs small, is transparent when doing a squat, or rolls down under a belly, it will not be included in this list. And if I missed your favorite place to shop for quality plus size activewear, do share in the comments so I can update accordingly!
Columbia
Columbia is one of the few high performance outdoor apparel that makes plus sizes. Led by a female Chairperson, Columbia has been based out of Portland, Oregon for over 70 years. Their plus size line goes up to 3X. Columbia isn’t where to find cute outfits for the gym. However, if you’re hiking, camping, skiing, or spending time active outside, or are planning a vacation with active elements… Columbia is for you.
JunoActive
Previously known as Junonia, Juno Active has been making quality performance plus size activewear since 1995. Available in sizes XL-6X, Juno Active specializes in equipping the plus size woman. The line isn’t cheap, but that’s because they make quality pieces that are meant to last.
While they have athletic wear, JunoActive is also great for swimwear, bras and undies, casual wear in breathable fabrics, and other necessities to be comfortable while being active.
Lands' End
Lands' End was one of the first to offer plus size workout clothes and they continue to offer basics up to size 3X. While you won't find high-performance design or on-trend prints and styles, Lands' End is a place you can rely on for pieces like pants, polos, skorts, and tanks good for golf, pickleball, power walks, and other fitness activities as well as plus size swimwear that can hold up to diving into a pool and swimming laps.
Lands' End is also one of the few places where you can find plus size performance outerwear to help you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities in comfort and in your size.
LIVI Active
Lane Bryant's activewear line is called LIVI Active. While LIVI Active has plenty of gear for the gym, they also have athlesiure pieces that are minimalistic chic, perfect for the yoga studio or a weekend run to the market. Available in sizes 10/12 to 38/40, LIVI does a good job of keeping prices low, silhouettes on trend while not exposing everything, and translating current activewear trends.
Oiselle
Oiselle (pronounced wah-zell) is a woman-founded and woman-owned performancewear brand offering apparel in sizes 2-26. With a focus on activewear for runners, Oiselle apparel has high-tech features like moisture wicking, durability, storage, tech support, UV protection, and insulation.
Oiselle gives back, providing a bra donation program and partnering with organizations such as The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, The Duwamish Tribe of Seattle, Runners for Public Lands, Womxn Run the Vote, the Loveland Foundation, and Black Voters Matter. Oiselle has also made donations to ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and TIME’S UP.
Old Navy
The older I get, the less I shop Old Navy. However, Old Navy plus size activewear is pretty great. I have had great success with Old Navy activewear, especially its leggings. Offering up to size 30 or 4X, the same colors, styles, and prints are available in the entire size range. I also love their skort dresses!
Popflex
Popflex is the apparel brand created by Cassey Ho, the YouTuber and influencer best known as Blogilates. Offering loungewear, swimwear, and accessories, Popflex is best known for its activewear line, which is both functional and fashionable. Popflex is available in sizes X-3X, and a 3X at Popflex measures at a 46-50″ waist and 56-60″ hip.
Spanx
Spanx is known for compression undergarments, but this woman-founded company has expanded to really excellent apparel, loungewear, and activewear available in sizes XS-3X (and Spanx's 3X is equivalent to a US size 26). Great colors, great quality, matching sets… Spanx's entire activewear line is available in the full size range on the retail site.
SuperfitHero
If you're looking for quality activewear that truly fits and works with a plus size figure, check out SuperfitHero. SuperfitHero is a small sustainable woman-owned business in California that designs, develops, and fit tests premium activewear exclusively for sizes L-7X. New products are tested on every size model to ensure great fit and functionality. Offering tops, bottoms, bras, swim, lounge, and travel attire, SuperfitHero has a very loyal fanbase due to its dedication to quality, fit, and its customer base.
Zella
Zella is a brand sold only at Nordstrom, an it offers some of its pieces in sizes 14W.1X – 24W/3X. When I originally wrote this, Zella had almost its whole selection in a full size range. Now, in 2025, there are far fewer options and colors. That being said, Zella quality isn't bad, you can often find cute matching pieces for a fashionable set, and I find the sizing relatively consistent. Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns, so it’s easy to try in the comfort of your own home to find the right pieces. Check Nordstrom Rack, where sometimes you can find pieces from Zella on clearance.
Did you like what you just read?
Consider tapping here to buy me a coffee in thanks. The best gift you can give a content creator is the gift of sharing. Consider sharing this article on Facebook or Pinterest. Thank you so much for your support!
“I’m not down with an XXXL equaling a size 14, or a brand ending at 18 and considering themselves ‘inclusive.'”
This is so many ways! I’m 4’11” and plus-sized in the hips/thighs and could rant about the limitations of “petite” brands, but I won’t. I’ll just say that I appreciate you taking the time to try out so many different brands and report back. I’ve learned about so many brands that I had never heard of or had wrong conceptions about.
Thank you!! I’m not plus sized, but have a large chest so most activewear tops/bras are truly laughable. I’m excited to try some of these new to me brands!
This makes me so angry. I am in the UK, so your picks are not all that relevant (although we have Lands End here) and I am fortunate not to need plus size. But we are told again and again how important it is to be active. How on earth are women supposed to do this if they have nothing to wear? Most gyms, classes etc. have an expectation of what is normal attire – I don’t want to go into it, but while that doesn’t have to mean crop tops and shorts, it does mean that there is a range of normal looks that most of us absorb unconsciously. And that is before you even get to functionality. Well done for your hard work which may mean for some women the difference between being active and not – and not only in the gym but also on the hills and paths. One of my past trainers used to quote the mantra ‘There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes’. Which is great – as long as the right clothes are available to fit.
This so, so much, Ruth! Even if the clothes technically fit on my body, they don’t *fit* and that leads to the same problems as if I didn’t have the right clothes to begin with. Winter and rain wear are the hardest for me, and also the most crucial for safety.
Peloton apparel is also a great place to get workout basics. I’d say well over half of styles come in plus sizes and it’s comparable to Athleta sizing. I especially like the cadent leggings – comparable to Athleta salutation leggings. You may find a little Peloton logo here and there, but it’s not too obnoxious. There are good sales a few times a year.
I wanted to share a relevant experience I recently had with Eddie Bauer. Looking for lightweight long pants for hiking, I ordered their Rainier pants from Kohl’s, knowing I could easily return it close to me. I’m usually an 18, but given the available sizes at the time I ordered a 16W. Well, what arrived was a 16 straight size. Nice pants in terms of what I was looking for, but too tight. Next I ordered the 18 from the Eddie Bauer Amazon store, well, what came was an 18W. Too big. Thankfully, EB still has brick and mortar stores so I called the one near me to find out if they actually make 18 regular or if I’m losing it. They do, and I ordered from their actual website which I should have done in the first place. It was a reminder that in the days of online retail searching for free shipping can be more hassle than it’s worth. But Eddie Bauer does offer many of their performance clothes in plus sizes in the same color ways and price as their straight sizes. Sorry for writing a novel!
I really like Old Navy leggings and find the quality to be as good as any other brand. The wide range of sizes, including talls, makes it a pleasure to browse and buy (online only – the stores are crazy).
I buy a lot of plus sized active wear. Totally agree with you on Old Navy – I don’t even bother anymore. I’ve been very, very happy with LandsEnd active wear.
Great post! Zella is my favorite, too. As you mentioned, Nordstrom Rack carries some of their pieces, but they also offer a slightly lower-priced line exclusive to the Rack, Z by Zella. I also like Tema Athletics and Lucy Activewear.
This is fantastic. I’m a huge fan of athlesure wear, and pretty much wear leggings with everything. You’ve included a couple brands that I wasn’t aware of (and I google this subject on the regular), so I’m pretty excited to delve in and see what they offer. I’ve gotten some great pieces at Meijer – which is a midwest superstore chain. They run their stuff up to a 3X and I’ve found them to be a little generously true to size (22 = 2x). …. I noted that Dick’s Sporting Goods has started carrying more plus sized items from Adidas and other larger brands, including in store, which is a new thing within the last year or so. …. Columbia items — I’ve found their fit to be a random, but once you find a thing that works, you’re golden. If you sign up for their points, you get free shipping. Their longline shorts (132″ inseam) are purely brilliant and run true to size. They’re cut like dress slacks, so paired with a cute top and dressy sandals, and you’re ready for work. Yas.
Target actually has some really great quality plus size activewear from Champion online. Just My Size/hanes online has some basic pieces that are good too.
I love that Lands’ End gives the garment dimensions (not as helpful in active wear as in other areas because of the extreme stretch component, but you can still measure a similar garment you own that fits and compare it.)
Marika makes bermuda-length workout shorts that are perfect for a taller person….I have worn several pairs out.
This is an amazing list Allie! I had no idea many of these companies existed. Finding bike shorts that work comfortably on even a size 14 booty can be a challenge. The high performance companies seem to assume that only thin people ride bikes. I can’t imagine what it must be like for someone above a 14 to shop for active wear. I’m really happy to see there are some companies filling that niche.
I’m a big fan of Athleta (part of the Gap family), especially for workout capris, shorts, etc. They run slightly large, so sometimes I can even wear an XL, which is part of their straight sizes.
OK, before clicking the post, I said to myself, “Yeah, right… I have searched long and hard, I know what’s out there.” But your list includes quite a few makers I was not aware of. Thanks– looking forward to checking a few out!
As a Montanan, waterproof and warm outerwear is not a luxury. I have looked and looked. I will say that Columbia’s stuff doesn’t really fit this plus size woman right. I don’t know for sure, bt it doesn’t seem like they use a plus size fit model. I’ve had a bit better luck with Eddie Bauer, and I’m a big fan of Lands End for outerwear and activewear.
My peeve is that plus sized people apparently don’t deserve the newest, cutest, high-tec fabrics and finishes. I have searched endlessly for a truly ultralight “down sweater” or “down jacket” in plus sizes. Not to be found, though they are ubiquitous at every outdoor-clothing store in straight sizes. Secondary peeve? XXL is a standard size for men, whereas women’s sizes in high end outdoor wear (think Patagonia, Marmot, etc.) stop at XL and sometimes even L.
I love my leggings and capris/shorts from Rainbeau Curves and am looking forward to visiting these other sites. Thanks for all of the info!