I’m not sure if you have seen the latest furore surrounding Lorna Jane (read here) but I’m weighing in on it. Turns out Lorna Jane doesn’t make active wear to fit everybody. Yeah spoiler alert, no plus size active wear. Oh, and the ladies are pissed right OFF!
They are waving their ‘entitled’ banners and demanding the queen of Lycra pony up and include them in her sizing range.
Well, Lorna Jane called bullshit and bit back.
Lorna can do what Lorna wants.
She’s not gonna make plus size active wear for the fatter than (not so) average woman. She wants her Lycra on the fit and trim bodies only.
She reckons her customers aren’t after larger sizes and don’t shop in her store. Ummm, fair enough.
Guess what? It’s her call because…it’s her bloody business.
And you know what else? There are actually plenty of plus size active active wear brands for the larger lady out there…I’m not shittin you, there really are!
Active wear brands that are pouring time, money, research and heart into designing fantastic active wear for larger sizes. So why is it we feel entitled to demand a brand need to make a size range to fit everyone? Do we jump up and down and demand other active wear brands do the same?
Ummm, No.
Why do we care?
Is it because for the most part wearing Lorna Jane active wear is seen as being more ‘cool and on trend’ rather than actually ‘ getting active’?
I reckon it’s because of the cult status of Lorna Jane active-wear,and once again where women really feel excluded is because being bigger than the other girls means you can’t hang with the cool gang. The message is, You don’t ‘fit in’…literally!
Let go of expectation.
Whatever you or I think of Lorna Jane the brand or person we just don’t have the right to demand anything. Lorna Jane makes the size range she makes, end. of. story.
We don’t demand the makers of the Harley Davidson produce people movers so let’s stop flogging this horse, stop expecting something that ain’t gonna happen and shop elsewhere. Spend your dollars on the brands that actually give a shit about you.
So where will you find plus size active wear for your not so average size?
Active truth – size 8-26
Female for life – size 6-24,
Running Bare – size – size 6-22
City chic– size 14-24
Ts14+– size 12-24
Torrid -size 10-30
Nike -size 2-22
Kmart – size 8-18
Target – size 8-26
Katie k active -size 4-26
Shop Elsa -size 6-26
Blitz active – size 16-26
Lowanna Australia -size 14-26
Oh, and ps…wearing Lorna Jane active wear does not make you the queen bee. You don’t instantly turn into the cool chick. Just sayin 🙂 Wear the workout gear that fits, makes you feel confident and works.
Respecting and accepting your body from the inside out makes you pretty cool in my eyes.
Choose your active wear because it performs. Choose it because it motivates you to get active.
Choose your active wear because the price is right for you. Love yourself more than needing to wear a brand because of its perceived ‘it’ factor. Oh, and Lorna does a great motivating book…I do like that about her products.
Where do you get your active wear from?
Well said Jen! We can get active wear from other suppliers, and we shouldn’t waste our time with LJ!
I just think we need to stop ‘expecting’one brand to be ‘everything to everyone’.
So well written Jen. Hit the nail on the head with your thoughtful insight. X
Just another way to look at it Judith ?
Amen…..
I agree….and she is such an incredible business woman. Its embarrassing what some people expect of others if they think they are owed.
Entitlement is ugly.
Crossroads have a range called #Life and caters for 8-22.
Thanks for the tip.
Completely agree Jen! When I first started my fitness habit, I had to wear whatever fit me…. which were the same black pants I wore to work (and everywhere else!) and an old black t-shirt from the deep, dark depths of my wardrobe! Even the size 26 active wear from K-Mart didn’t fit me due to it’s rather “snug” nature! And do you know what? No one gave a damn… and I managed to still slowly build on my strength and fitness despite my lack of on trend active wear!!
I’m still a long way from Lorna, but the leggings from Autograph and active wear tops from K-Mart are doing just fine for now! (And finally starting to get a little baggy – yay!!) ? xx
Sounds like you are getting out there and nurturing your body with exercise Jodie.. well done!
Well said Jen! I’d much rather the press focus on the brands that cater to everyone. I’m a Running Bare girl and won’t buy anything else. I love them even more since I’ve recently gone down a size.
Every time the media do a story on LJ they open the floodgates for every fat shamer to comment. I don’t need to read the horrible things people say and I don’t need to read the shade LJ throws. I’d much rather they do a story on how motivated you can feel when you’ve got the same gear as everyone else. When you’re feeling included and not self conscious of your old baggy T and crappy shorts. In the mean time RB can keep taking my money! Now do I get the latest leopard print tights or not?
I love Running Bare too!! Their patterns are awesome!!
I personally do wear LJ. I was very anti the idea initially as I’m very much against cult followings. But I tried the others and they really did not work for me. Running along and hitching up your pants every 5 steps was annoying.
LJ is a quality product, I buy it sparingly as its not cheap.
As for size ranges, she’s a business woman, she’s obviously done her research and has a business strategy. She offers what she offers!!!
Lots of quality active wear is pricey, technology in garments isn’t cheap and we get what we pay for. Thank goodness for sales ?
Amen to that sister ! Even when I was so called fit & leaner & about a size 12 I still struggled to fit into most of her tops. I’ve been loyal to running bare & love their range, in fact I think they should have me model then, jusy joking ! Well written Jenni xxx
Haha i love running bare too, the colours are brilliant!
So great Jen. Completely agree!
Thanks Kirrily xx
Jen smashes it out of the park, AGAIN! Wearing her activewear of course, and drinking from her ALWAYS half full glass, CHEERS X
Haha love it! Thanks Kylie x
Who’d wanna look like all the try hard Queen Bee Wanna Be’s anyway? 😉 I’m an individual
Unfortunately the brand has a cult status and being exclusive not inclusive means that there will always be women who want to be part of it. Sad but true.
Agree but her stuff falls down anyway and doesn’t last
I like Lou Lou lemon ??
There’s plenty of choice out there…thank goodness ☺
Thanks Jen for the list. Personally I love Running Bare (when I can afford it) and they fit really well (over that tummy). And I also like City Chic and ts14. I don’t need anyone else to feel I fit in in my daily walks around the park. Thanks again xx
Harriet it’s fantastic that you have found what suits you.
I agree, what rattled my cage wasn’t that she said she didn’t want to make it but that there’s no market for it which is of course, a load of crap. I’d much rather splash my cash on Nike activewear, although it’s pretty conservative in terms of style and pattern, it’s reasonably priced, performs well and can go in the drier! Plus, if you can get to a Nike outlet there are awesome bargains to be had! I’m looking forward to checking some of those other brands out x
There certainly is a market for it, not sure where she gets her research info from.
Loving my new Active Truth tights. Since chart was accurate and git them in 48 hours!
Brilliant feedback ☺
Thanks for the list of alternatives. One problem I found was that I needed to wear a regular bra for big boobs rather than a racer back but every activewear top I looked for was racer back and skin tight. Couldn’t find loose tank top style anywhere in active ranges. Still ended up with same old boring black baggy tees and tanks. I feel that designer don’t adequately factor in that larger girls with back and tummy rolls may not want to wear tight fitting tops, or is it just me? 🙁
I don’t often wear active wear tops, instead choosing regular tees.
Panache do a fantastic sports bra for bigger boobs – up to GG/H cup.
It’s ridiculous indeed, Jenni! I mean, you don’t see me banging on Supre’s door demanding they cater to the mid-to-late 30s market or asking City Chic to start stocking size 10-12 or asking Tiffany & Co to drop their prices by 80% so they can be more inclusive. Sure inclusivity is a good thing, but let your money do the talking for you, I say.
Spot on Beth. Everytime the media flog this horse they only drive the cult status if LJ higher. Let’s just focus on the brands that are ‘actually’ doing great things for larger sized women who want to work out.
They never bang on about Lululemon and their tiny sizing. If I could I’d much rather their gear than LJ.
I love your positivity!! Us gals who have a bit of junk in our trunk want to look cool and on trend- LJ doesn’t want to cater to us- I say no biggie! Chanel don’t either! (insert sob right here!) but no one is getting all up in Karl’s grill.
We can go else where and find really cool workout gear and rock the hell out of that!
You are spot on – we are all individuals and self acceptance is more important than anything- so thank you for inspiring as always Xx
I agree! Personally I do ‘fit’ LJ clothes but when did workout become about what you look like! I get hot, sweaty, and smelly when I work out and I don’t really care what I look like when I’m doing. Don’t get me wrong I am all for quality and comfort and I do like style but do we all want to run around looking the same? Meh, not me! I have nothing against anyone who wants to wear the LJ brand with passion and pride, but Kmart serves me quite well ? I just think as a society we need to start looking at exercise for the health benefits not for what we look like!
I’m not n an enforced rest so reading a lot of the blogs & could moments. I feel the same with Lorna Jayne& actually was quite upset in Vancouver when I was told they cater for larger sizes, size 14 & the occasional size 16. I sent quite a few emails to LJ saying the encouragement should be with bigger sizes. LJ way ver rated!
OzPhysique Active Wear sells trending plus size activewear. I bought a couple of pairs of 4XL leggings and they are not see through ?