One of the world’s biggest sportswear brands has (finally) released a plus size range.
But there’s something different about Nike‘s design process for the range – and it’s both important and refreshing to hear.
Unlike many brands which simply just add more material to existing designs, the team at Nike specifically designed pieces from scratch.
Image: Nike
"When we design for plus size, we aren’t just proportionately making our products larger. That doesn’t work because as we know, everyone’s weight distribution is different," Helen Boucher, vice president of women’s training apparel said.
The result is a collection that goes from size XL to 3XL and is filled with pieces perfect for Body Pump... or brunch.
With prices starting from $50, there are sleek and colourful leggings, tops, shorts, jackets and sports bras.
It's got the approval of several popular plus size influencers including Danielle Vanier who collaborated with the brand to announce the launch.
"Nike recognises that women are stronger, bolder and more outspoken than ever. In today’s world, sport is no longer something that she does, it’s who she is," the brand said in a statement.
"The days where we have to add ‘female’ before ‘athlete’ are over She is an athlete, period. And having helped fuel this cultural shift, we celebrate these athletes’ diversity, from ethnicity to body shape."
Listen: From gay players to cinderella stories, the best stories from the AFL Womens’ Footy. Post continues after audio.
Putting their money where there mouth is, the sportswear giant also recently announced the launch of their Pro Hijab, designed for Muslim, female athletes.
Made from lightweight, breathable mesh fabrics, its purpose is to encourage and allow female Muslim athletes to participate in sport as well as increasing performance levels.
With over 12 months in the making, the inspiration for the unique hijab was influenced by Emirati olympic weightlifter Amna Al Haddad and Saudi Arabian olympic runner Sarah Attar.
Top Comments
I'm with ally, this collection is drab. Also shapeless, because of course all plus people want to hide their rolls, so big is better.
Well uh uh, shapeless makes me look 5 sizes bigger and feel like a tent. I want clothes that fit and skim my body. Their T shirts are as shapeless as if I'd just gone to buy a men's xl.
I'm not rushing to the store
Great stuff, but I don't think you can use the word colourful to describe this collection. There's one pale pink hoodie, one orange top and one pair of blue leggings. Everything else is black, white or grey. Very drab in contrast with the "regular" women's range.
This is actually pretty typical. You either get zero colour options for plus sizes or you get bright and overly patterned stuff that shouts "HEY, LARGE WOMAN OVER HERE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T NOTICE". There is an in between.
Depends where you live. In Melbourne adding white to a normally black outfit is colourful.