Why Does Activewear Fit Differently for Women Over 40?
A Melbourne Sportswear Expert's Guide to Finding the Right Fit for Your Changing Body
Here's why.
After 40, women's bodies can naturally change. Hormones, menopause, and changes through your midsection (waist) — often the biggest and most consistent change — along with shifts in your hips, bum and thighs, can all affect the way your activewear fits.
Why does this happen - why do women’s body shape change after 40?
Oestrogen normally helps keep fat stored around your hips and thighs. As oestrogen levels drop, your body starts storing more fat around your middle instead. It's the result of changing hormones and a slowing metabolism.
Which is why you need activewear designed to fit your changing body.
What women over 40 should look for in activewear: fabrics, fit, support and style
Choosing well-fitted activewear improves freedom of movement and workout gear improves your performance.
"With over 25 years of experience in textiles and sportswear, I design every garment with the fit, support and construction women over 40 need."
Unlike most leggings, our leggings are cut with a curved centre front seam and a rise that's not short. This pattern is designed to fit the midsection, hips and thighs of women over 40 without squeezing or digging in.
Our waistband is wide and high, with a thick inner elastic that provides comfortable core support and stays in place throughout the day
Fabrics
Fabrics for the tops:
Moisture-wicking that retain their performance after washing are highly recommended. They are dry quickly to keep you comfortable & breathable during exercise.
Natural fibre materials : natural cotton, bamboo, modal, viscose absorb sweat from skin and keep you cool. Naturally anti -odour and breathable, which helps unwanted smells to keep you fresh all day and doesn’t irritate your skin.
Fabrics for leggings:
For Pilates/yoga:
High density double knits 4-way stretch to help prevent see-through whenever you stretch and bend
Buttery soft, shape retention stretch allows free movement and supports your muscles during practice.
Moisture -wicking fabrics dry quickly to help keep you comfortable and breathable.
Natural fibre, soft and stretchy cotton is a great choice. Naturally anti-odour and breathable, the natural fibres which help prevent unwanted smells and keep you fresh all day and don’t irritate your skin.
Weight of fabric (GSM): Look for 220 gsm - 280 gsm higher numbers mean thicker, high opacity. NO see-through. They are squat-proof leggings.
For gym/ strength training:
High-density shape retention 4 way stretch fabric for full coverage, and helps support your muscles during workout without restriction during stretching, squatting, plank, deadlift, lunges.
Moisture-wicking that retain their performance after washing are highly recommended. They are dry quickly to keep you comfortable & breathable during exercise.
Weight of fabric (GSM): Look for 235gsm- 280 gsm higher numbers mean thicker, higher opacity. NO see-through. They are squat-proof leggings.
For walking, everyday wear and travel.
Natural fibre soft and stretchy cotton and soft and stretchy French Terry cotton for comfort are highly recommended.
Naturally anti-odour and breathable ,the natural fibres which help prevent unwanted smells and keep you fresh all day and don’t irritate your skin.
Weight of fabric (GSM): Look for 235gsm- 280 gsm higher numbers mean thicker, high opacity, NO see-through. They are squat-proof leggings.
Best fit for women over 40
Fit for Pilates/yoga:
Avoid tops with pockets or zippers at the back and leggings with a zip pocket at the back waistband because you spend a lot of time in class on your back.
We highly recommend the leggings with a wide, high waistband with thick inner elastic for core support to prevent rolling down without digging in.
Choose the leggings made with high-density flat-lock seams with 16 SPI to help reduce chafing and provide long-lasting durability.
Fit for gym/ strength training
Avoid leggings that are too tight or too loose the hips, thighs, and calves.
Avoid the leggings bunching at the front seam to reduce uncomfortable and rolling down when squatting and jumping.
We highly recommend high-waisted core support with thick inner elastic at the waistband, plus an internal drawcord to stay in place won’t roll down during the workout and not dig into your tummy.
Choose leggings that are made with high-density flat-lock seams with 16 SPI to help reduce chafing and provide long-lasting durability.
Choose the leggings with 2 large
pockets to store your phone and essentials.
Fit for walking, everyday wear and travel
Avoid the tops and leggings which are too tight to restrict your movement.
Choose the top relax top and longline top or tank top for a flattering fit and easy movement.
We highly recommend high-waisted core support flare leggings with two deep and large pockets for convenience and effortless transitions from every day to travel.
Your Styling
Know your body shape and know your measurements to help you choose the right fit for your body shape.
Some active-wear styles look good on young fitness models, but may not fit your body shape properly.
Choose the top that suits your body shape.
A relaxing and flattering fit is highly recommended.
Choose the colour of the tops to help your skin look radiant and boost your mood.
Avoid bright-coloured leggings : white colour, off-white, skin tone, cream, light grey that are too sheer and show off skin, cellulite, underwear and sweat. Also, they get dirty constantly.
Avoid leggings which the rise is too short to avoid yanking up your crotch.
Choose leggings which are not too tight and not too loose and your hips and thighs fit comfortably.
Choose the leggings designed with a core support waistband preventing rolling down and digging in.
Choose leggings with an outseam hip curve to avoid being too tight around the hips.
Choose leggings with a large gusset to reduce friction and irritation of sensitive areas.
Dark colour leggings: black colour, iron stone, natural black, dark navy are highly recommended to avoid showing off lumps and bumps and won’t get dirty easily.
Dark colour leggings easily pair with any tops and other outfit
Our leggings are specially cut for women over 40 bodies.
Important note;
Don’t guess your size.
Different brands, different styles, different cuttings, different fabrics have different measurements.
Check carefully with the size guide or chart of the top or leggings you are interested in to find your right fit.
We offer FREE Personal Styling & Sizing Help direct from our sportswear expert, without AI chatbots.
