How to choose your activewear according to your body shape

Welcome to woman&home’s online shopping where we reveal where to buy the most popular and top-rated products. This guide is about the best sports kits to flatter all body shapes, but you may also be interested in our favourite dresses from The White Company, the most flattering swimwear styles for every shape and M&S's anti chaffing shorts.

Not sure what type of active wear is most flattering for your body type? We’re here to help!

There’s a whole array of brands out there, many especially tailored to specific body shapes such as petite, busty or plus size but we have loads of tips that will help you enhance your shape through fit, print and clever eye illusions.

Best active wear for large busts

Firstly and most importantly is looking for one of the best sports bras - all women no matter what their size should invest in a well-fitted support. Our breasts are made up of fatty tissue which is surrounded by skin and fragile ligaments called ‘Coopers Ligaments’. It doesn’t matter whether your breasts are big or small, we all have Coopers Ligaments that can be broken down over time and they won’t bounce back.

As a large busted lady you’ll already be fully aware of the difference a well-fitted bra can make. Companies such as Bravissimo and Figleaves, Pour Moi, Elomi and Next have a fantastic selection of sports bras and swimwear that go up to L cup sizes. Bravissomi and Figleaves also sell active wear tops designed especially to flatter large busts.

• Wide scoop necks and V-necks are most flattering for your shape.
• Chose tops with visible seams, these help sculpt the body and give the illusion of a smaller waist.
• Sports tops especially designed for larger breasts wouldn’t ride up as you are exercising, as there is built in space for your boobs.
• Wear dark or plain colours on top.
• Use the illusion of eye-catching print and details to attract the focus away from your chest area.
• Keep warm in a zip up top, which is more flattering than a high-necked sweatshirt.

Best active wear for pear shaped women

Pear shape is the most common figure proportion for women. All it means is that the widest part of your body is below your waist, around your hips. You can be tall, short, heavy, or skinny and still be pear shaped. The main trick to is balance out your hips by enhancing the shoulder area to match in width. It’s tempting to want to hide those hips with a long t-shirt but cutting right through at your widest point actually draws the eye down to notice the width, so cropped or top that have a rounded scoop at the bottom are best. For inspiration check out The Good American (set up by Khloe Kardashian) which has a fantastically stylish active wear section modeled by pear and plus size women.

• Scoop and wide neck tops are most flattering. This will make your shoulders look wider - thus achieving balance.
• Wear bright shades and prints on top.
• Chose plain or darker prints for your bottom half.
• Avoid track pants and opt for wide leg trousers which skim down from your hips to create a balanced shape.
• Chose leggings, which have a high waist and feature a wide waistband.
• Go for full-length leggings rather than a cropped style.

Best active wear for curvy women

Loads of premium sportswear brands such as Reebok, Nike and Adidas cater for sizes up to a UK 32 or XXXXL as well as more affordable high street options at Figleaves, Curvissa, Asos, Next, M&S and Simply Be. American brands are also a great go to - companies such as Fabletics use women with plus size bodies to model their product so you can see the real fit. The main thing is to embrace your shape (not hide it) by investing in expertly designed pieces, which help accentuate your curves by drawing the eye in and out.

• Sportswear with strategically placed panels and seams are your best friend as these help sculpt the body.
• Avoid big and baggy, active wear doesn’t have to be figure hugging but avoid added bulk by choosing well-tailored pieces.
• Asymmetric or rounded scoop bottom tops are more flattering as they don’t cut across your body.
• Look for trainers that have wide fit options
• Chose leggings, which have a high waist and feature a wide waistband.

Best active wear for petite women

Petite girls come in all shapes and sizes, weight doesn’t come into it, it’s about height. So, generally that means shorter torsos and legs, and narrower shoulders, with boobs, bums and hips to factor-in too. Luckily many brands start their sizes at XXS, although swimwear and trousers can be tricky, so chose items especially from the petite range as they are cut for your shorter dimentions. On the high street head to Asos and Next. Adidas also cater for petite leg lengths, as do specialist petite leggings brand Avoactivewear.com catering for women under 5ft 3. Head to Allbirds for their stylish sports trainer that start in size UK2.

• Chose high waisted full length leggings to create length.
• T-shirts with front and side knots work well, try knotting one you already own.
• Wearing all one tone can help lengthen out your body
• Chose smaller prints as large bold ones can break up your frame

Best active wear for post-mastectomy

Leave me Breastless, a blog helping women who have gone through mastectomy, say, “When choosing activewear post mastectomy, the most important thing is to choose items that are comfortable. If you wear a prosthesis you may chose not to wear it during exercise as they can be sweaty and heavy. If this is the case then you may prefer to opt for a tight fitting crop top underneath a looser fitting tank."

Specialist post surgery companies such as Amoena offer an extensive range of sports bras and swimwear that feature a Mastectomy form, also known as a breast form. This is an artificial breast made of silicone or foam that replaces the missing breast following breast cancer surgery. An alternative to breast reconstruction breast forms are worn externally either inside the cup of a pocketed bra or swimsuit or attached directly to the body. Amoena have designed specialist swim forms which are lightweight, water-resistant and designed to dry quickly.

Freya Lingerie Sonic Moulded Sports Bra Clear

£40, Freya Lingerie sizes 28D-40FF

VIEW NOW: Freya Lingerie Sonic Moulded Sports Bra Clear

Bravissimo Clothing Serena Sports Vest

£16 (was £40), Bravissimo sizes 8-18 (curvy-supercurvy)

VIEW NOW: Bravissimo Clothing Serena Sports Vest

Born Nouli Sweet Dreams High Waisted 7/8 Legging

£59, sizes xs-l, bornnouli.com

VIEW NOW: Born Nouli Sweet Dreams High Waisted 7/8 Legging

Fantasie Port Maria Underwired Adjustable Swimsuit

£86, sizes 32D-40GG, Figleaves

VIEW NOW: Fantasie Port Maria Underwired Adjustable Swimsuit

Roxy Lead By The Slopes Thermal Zip Up Top

£60, sizes s-xl, Roxy at Next

VIEW NOW: Roxy Lead By The Slopes Thermal Zip Up Top

Lands End Women's Chlorine Resistant Tugless Swimsuit, splice print

£25 was (£50), sizes 8-20 (regular/long/plus), Lands End

VIEW NOW: Lands End Women's Chlorine Resistant Tugless Swimsuit, splice print

Good American Oasis Leopard Legging

£96.77, sizes US 0-7, The Good American

VIEW NOW: Good American Oasis Leopard Legging

Adidas Originals Adicolor Cropped Cotton-Terry Hoodie

£45, sizes 6-16, Adidas Originals at Net a porter

VIEW NOW: Adidas Originals Adicolor Cropped Cotton-Terry Hoodie

Uniqlo Women Airism Seamless V Neck Short Sleeved Longline T-Shirt

£12.50, sizes xxs-xxl, Uniqlo

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Pour Moi Energy Empower U/W Lightly Padded Convertible Sports Bra - Navy/Pink

£28, Pour Moi

VIEW NOW: Pour Moi Energy Empower U/W Lightly Padded Convertible Sports Bra - Navy/Pink

Tala Zinnia Legging - Burgundy

£40, sizes xs-xl (regular/tall), wearetala.com

VIEW NOW: Tala Zinnia Legging - Burgundy

Figleaves Curve Colourblock Double Layer Top

£28, sizes 12-26, Figleaves Curve

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Fabletics High-Waisted PowerHold 7/8

2 for £24, sizes xxs-xxxl, Fabletics

VIEW NOW: Fabletics High-Waisted PowerHold 7/8

Elomi Energise Sports Bra Navy

£36, sizes 32D-46K, elomilingerie.com

VIEW NOW: Elomi Energise Sports Bra Navy

Marks & Spencer Goodmove Zipped Through Run Top

£29.50, sizes 6-24, Marks & Spencer

VIEW NOW: Marks & Spencer Goodmove Zipped Through Run Top

Figleaves Panache Catarina Balconnet swimsuit

£56, bra band size 30-40, Figleaves

VIEW NOW: Figleaves Panache Catarina Balconnet swimsuit

Vionic Alma Trainer

£90, sizes UK 3-9, vionicshoes.co.uk

VIEW NOW: Vionic Alma Trainer

Marks & Spencer Cropped Twist Front Short Sleeve Top

£15, sizes 6-24, Marks & Spencer

VIEW NOW: Marks & Spencer Cropped Twist Front Short Sleeve Top

Adidas Energize Tracksuit - Glow Pink / Legend Ink

£69 for set, sizes xxs-xxl (standard/petite/tall), Adidas

VIEW NOW: Adidas Energize Tracksuit - Glow Pink / Legend Ink

Adidas Energize Tracksuit - Glow Pink / Legend Ink

£69 for set, sizes xxs-xxl (standard/petite/tall), Adidas

VIEW NOW: Adidas Energize Tracksuit - Glow Pink / Legend Ink

Next Shape Enhancing Swimsuit

£26, sizes 6-18 (petite/regular), Next

VIEW NOW: Next Shape Enhancing Swimsuit

Avo The Senara Legging - Raspberry Red

£35, sizes 6- 14, Avoactivewear.com

VIEW NOW: Avo The Senara Legging - Raspberry Red

Allbirds Women's Tree Dashers

£120, sizes UK 2-8, Allbirds

VIEW NOW: Allbirds Women's Tree Dashers

Amoena Performance Sports Bra - Black

£27.50, Amoena

VIEW NOW: Amoena Performance Sports Bra - Black

Anita Animal Safari swimsuit

£75, sizes 10-18, Anita at nicolajane.com

VIEW NOW: Anita Animal Safari swimsuit

Marks & Spencer Post Surgery Extra High Impact Sports Bra A-G

£25, Marks & Spencer sizes A-G

VIEW NOW: Marks & Spencer Post Surgery Extra High Impact Sports Bra A-G

George Post Surgery Red Frill Swimsuit

£14, sizes 8-20, George Clothing at Asda

VIEW NOW: George Post Surgery Red Frill Swimsuit

Amoena Toronto One-Piece High Neckline Swimsuit - Black/purple/mint

£39.05 (was £55.79), sizes 32B-44C, Amoena

VIEW NOW: Amoena Toronto One-Piece High Neckline Swimsuit - Black/purple/mint