Yoga Clothing That Moves With You
Mastering a new meditation technique or nailing a challenging pose in class already takes focus. The last thing you want is uncomfortable gear pulling at you mid-flow. That is why picking apparel that feels comfortable, stretches with you, and breathes well matters so much. The right choice depends on your own taste and the style of yoga you practice. Here is what to keep in mind when selecting your yoga wear.
- Pick flexible, comfortable bottoms such as yoga pants, shorts, leggings, or leotards.
- Choose a breathable, fitted or narrow top that will not flop over your face during demanding poses.
- Female yogis should select a sports bra that offers enough support for the intensity of their practice.
- Keep a warm, comfy tee or shirt handy for cooling down once class ends.
What to Expect From Modern Yoga Apparel
Today's activewear is usually built from polyester-spandex or polyester-nylon blends, and with good reason: these fabrics deliver a solid balance of comfort, stretch, and breathability.
- Comfort: Practicing in irritating clothing is about the worst scenario imaginable. As you move through your flow, you should not be distracted by scratchy tags, bulky layers, waistbands that are too loose or too tight, or fabric that chafes.
- Flexibility: Yoga poses involve bending, stretching, rolling, reaching, and lunging. Your clothing has to keep pace with all of it, which usually means spandex-based fabrics.
- Breathability: It depends on your style of yoga and how much you sweat. If you perspire heavily, breathable, moisture-wicking materials keep you comfortable and relaxed—think tees, shirts, and yoga pants with mesh side pockets for extra ventilation. Avoid cotton, which traps moisture, leaves you feeling damp, and makes you chilly once class is over.
The Right Outfit for Yoga Class
Yoga clothing falls into the "athleisure" category, and many people now wear it as a personal statement rather than purely for function. That is why you will find yoga gear in bold colors, with pockets, eye-catching patterns, and more. Before wearing something to an actual class, though, keep function front of mind: when trying pieces on, run through a few poses in the fitting room or at home to test whether the garment stretches enough and gives you the comfort you need for a full session.
A typical yoga outfit includes:
Yoga Leggings and Pants
Yoga brands offer a wide range of pants in different lengths, designs, and sizes. Check that a given pair delivers the right mix of comfort, stretch, and breathability. Nylon-spandex-polyester blends are a top recommendation because they move with you through poses and wick moisture away.
Yoga Shorts
Some brands build men's yoga shorts with liners for extra comfort during bendy, stretchy poses. Longer shorts that reach the knee can also help with coverage during inversions. Spandex shorts for women can be tricky; they often ride up during practice and may not offer enough coverage in challenging poses. Still, some practitioners find them the most comfortable choice for hotter, more intense settings such as hot yoga classes.
Yoga Tops
Whatever style of yoga you practice, most yogis prefer body-fitting tees or shirts that sit comfortably around the hips and waist. This narrow fit keeps the top from flopping over your head during bends and stretches. Shirts made from breathable, moisture-absorbing fabric with soft stitching are also a smart pick for intense classes—avoid scratchy tags and layers that irritate your underarms. Many yoga tanks come with a built-in sports bra for added support.
Yoga Sweatshirts
If you have errands to run after class, a warm, comfy cover-up such as a quarter-zip sweatshirt is worth having. It is especially useful in winter or monsoon weather, when leaving a sweaty class can leave you chilled. The extra layer helps ward off that sudden cold once you step out of the warm room.
Sports Bra
Your choice depends on your bra size and how much coverage you need. High-intensity classes like power or vinyasa call for more support, since you will be twisting and inverting. Lower-intensity practices such as yin or restorative yoga only need a low level of support. As you may have noticed, many female yogis wear a sports bra on its own, without a tee, in sweatier classes. Today you can also find yoga shirts and tanks with bras built in.
Yoga Socks and Breathable Underwear
Most yoga socks have plastic treads on the sole to keep you from slipping or sliding on the mat. If you would rather not wear socks during a session, consider a non-slip yoga mat or simply lay a yoga towel over your existing mat. Like any form of exercise, yoga involves sweaty routines, so choose fresh base layers that absorb moisture. Some people also prefer to wear body-fitting yoga pants or shorts without underwear.
Caring for Your Yoga Wear
Most yoga clothing comes with washing instructions, but as a general rule, turn your gear inside out, wash it in cold water, and tumble dry on low heat for a short cycle. Hanging your yoga wear to dry instead of running it through the dryer is also recommended, since it extends the life of your garments. If you have deep-colored pieces, wash them separately for the first few washes to check whether the color bleeds. When doing laundry, also keep them apart from items like blankets, since cotton fabric tends to cling to yoga clothes.
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