Walk through the activewear section of most stores and a pattern emerges quickly: sizes cluster tightly around XS to L, with anything beyond that treated as an afterthought — if it’s offered at all. For a category of clothing that’s specifically meant for movement, exercise, and feeling good in your body, that’s a strange gap. Here’s why size-inclusive activewear, spanning XS to XXL and beyond, actually matters.

Movement Isn’t Reserved for One Body Type

Yoga, strength training, running, walking, stretching — none of these activities belong to a narrow range of body sizes. Yet activewear sizing has historically implied otherwise, with limited size ranges quietly signaling who a brand considers its “real” customer. When a size range stops short, it sends a message, whether intended or not.

Fit Affects Performance, Not Just Look

Ill-fitting activewear isn’t just a confidence issue — it’s a functional one. Leggings that are too tight can restrict circulation and movement; leggings sized without enough range can dig, roll, or bunch in ways that are genuinely uncomfortable during exercise. Properly graded sizing (where the pattern is adjusted proportionally at each size, not just scaled up or down) means a size XXL should fit and perform just as well as a size XS — same support, same coverage, same freedom of movement.

The Sustainability Connection

Size inclusivity also intersects with sustainability in a practical way: when people can find activewear that actually fits them properly, they’re less likely to buy multiple sizes to “test,” less likely to return items that don’t work, and less likely to replace pieces that were uncomfortable from day one. A well-fitting garment gets worn — and re-worn — far more than one that was the wrong size to begin with.

What Proper Size-Inclusive Design Actually Requires

Offering a wide size range isn’t as simple as scaling a single pattern up or down. It typically requires:

• Separate pattern grading at each size, adjusting proportions (not just overall size) so fit stays accurate throughout the range
• Fabric with enough stretch and recovery to perform consistently across different body shapes
• Genuine testing on a range of real bodies, not just one fit model

Brands that simply scale one small-size pattern up to XXL without this extra work often produce garments that fit poorly at the larger end of the range — which is part of why size inclusivity done properly takes real effort, not just a size chart with more rows.

What This Looks Like at Njálla

We make our leggings, tops, and bra tops in sizes XS through XXL, because we believe sustainable, art-inspired activewear should be available to everybody who wants to move in it — not just a narrow slice of body types. Our four-way stretch, recycled polyester-spandex blend is designed to support and flatter across the full range, with squat-proof, flat-seam construction that performs the same regardless of size.

Fit shouldn’t be a barrier to feeling good in your activewear. Explore our full size range and find the piece that’s actually made to fit you.