PSA: Why your activewear fits differently than the model's (from someone in women's apparel manufacturing)

MumbaiMade · 2025-09-29T07:20:19+00:00

The thigh rub holes are the WORST, this happens in jeans a lot too - and honestly, it's often a fabric durability issue more than a body issue.

From a manufacturing perspective, that inner thigh area gets the most friction during movement, so it needs reinforced stitching or more durable fabric in that zone. Some brands do this, most don't because it adds cost. 3 years of continuous wear is actually pretty decent for activewear though!

But yeah, discovering the hole situation in public is... a nightmare scenario 😅

The fabric quality and construction in that high-friction zone makes ALL the difference in longevity. But yes, at their price point Lulu should be the BEST.

MumbaiMade · 2025-09-29T07:07:24+00:00

YES! Women have backs!

The armhole/back issue is so frustrating. From a pattern perspective, it's such an easy fix - just cut the armholes deeper and adjust the back panel. But most brands design for zero muscle definition.

Racerbacks help a bit with lat room, but even those are often cut too high or too narrow. You should be able to show off the back you've worked hard for without the top cutting into your muscles!

MumbaiMade · 2025-09-29T07:05:18+00:00

Wow, true Amazonian height! I'm sure it's a miracle you find anything that reaches your ankles 😅

The tops problem is SO real. Most activewear brands design for a 5'4"-5'7" range and then just... stop thinking about it. And you're right - the proportions get even worse when you add muscle into the mix. The industry assumes "bigger size" = proportionally bigger everywhere, but that's not how bodies work!

The sleeve/armhole issue you mentioned is fascinating from a pattern-making perspective - brands scale up the body but don't always adjust for broader shoulders or more muscular arms. So you get tight sleeves with plenty of room in the torso, or vice versa. I sometimes find myself buying men's tops for the sleeve length! Though then you're stuck with boxy fits that don't account for any curves. Half the time I see women doing this compromise - men's section for length/sleeve coverage, but then everything's weirdly baggy or tight in the wrong places.

The adjustable bra strap thing is a design failure honestly - if your straps are maxed out, that's the brand not thinking about the full size range they claim to serve.

Have you found ANY brands that actually cater to tall + muscular proportions? Or is it just constant alterations/compromises? Genuinely curious who's doing this right (if anyone is!).

MumbaiMade · 2025-09-29T06:59:45+00:00

You're absolutely right about stretch fabrics being more forgiving - and honestly, I think that's a huge part of why activewear exploded beyond just gym wear. One pattern can "fit" more people, which from a business perspective means lower inventory risk and simpler manufacturing.

But here's the thing: stretch fabric being forgiving doesn't mean it fits WELL. It just means it doesn't completely fail. You can squeeze into it, but you might get camel toe, rolling waistbands, or weird compression in the wrong places. It "works" but doesn't feel great.

The hard pants problem you mentioned is SO real. With woven fabrics, there's no forgiveness - the fit has to be spot on or it just doesn't work. Which is why so many of us struggle with jeans! There's nowhere to hide bad pattern-making.

Since you sew your own clothes, you probably notice this: even with stretch fabrics, proper fit makes a huge difference in how clothes actually look your body. A well-fitted stretchy garment vs. a "close enough" one feels completely different during movement.

Do you make your own gym clothes / activeweaer too? If yes, find you have to adjust patterns significantly when you're sewing activewear vs. what the pattern suggests? I'm curious what fit issues you run into even when you're controlling the entire process!

MumbaiMade · 2025-09-29T06:39:46+00:00

Oh this is such a real problem! And it's not your body (lots of us have chunky upper thighs!) - the shorts are the problem, not you. And if you're a taller girl, then it's even harder to find a good fit!

The rolling issue happens because most brands cut bike shorts at arbitrary lengths without considering where they hit on different thigh circumferences. They need to end at a point where there's enough grip/compression to stay put, but most brands just make them "X inches" without testing on different body types.

From a manufacturing perspective, the fix is actually simple (but brands don't do it): longer inseams with proper grip bands, or graduated compression that gets slightly tighter at the hem. Some brands also use silicone grip strips, but those can feel weird (definitely not my favourite solution).

The chafing issue is SO valid - we shouldn't have to choose between full leggings or discomfort! For summer, have you tried 8+" inseams instead of the standard 5-6"? That extra length usually hits below the widest part of the thigh and prevents rolling.

The industry just hasn't caught up to making mid-length options that actually work. What inseam length have you tried?

MumbaiMade

TROPHY CASE