There’s a wealth of beautiful cycling clothing out there for women, but if like me you’re carrying a little extra weight, it can be a bit daunting trying to squeeze into something that’s clearly been designed for a svelte physique.
Enter stage left: FLAB, or Fat Lad at the Back.
Taking its title from its founder’s nickname, FLAB is a sportswear company aimed at the larger-bodied among us. Their cycling gear is well thought-out and adopts a range of high-spec tech to make for comfortable riding, so it’s not just a case of sizing up. They wanted to redesign traditional wear, to fit and flatter a range of body shapes.
They started out as a menswear brand, but soon saw the huge potential in expanding into the women’s market, and thus Fat Lass at the Back was born. Whether you love or loathe the name, you can’t deny that they know what they’re doing. As a chubby size 12 with thick thighs and a buxom bosom, it was a breath of fresh air to slip into something designed to fit around my curves.
FLAB’s Lasses Cycling Pedal Pushers
At three-quarter length, the pedal pushers are perfect for when it’s not quite the height of summer, or if you just don’t want to show a lot of flesh. They’re very flattering, and provide plenty of coverage, coming up to the waist and sitting well below the knee. The tummy-friendly high waist is confidence inspiring, as it sits comfortably without digging in the main reason many cyclists opt for bib shorts.