There’s no denying that wearing the perfect yoga clothing can be pretty magical. It fits you well, keeps you at the temperature you want, helps you sweat less, and prevents chafing. It can also have pretty amazing effects on your mood. Whether it’s your choice of fabric, color, or style, it’s hard to deny that what you wear in a yoga class can have a big impact on your practice. While it may take some patience and experimentation, we’ve created several tips for choosing yoga clothing to make you feel cool, comfortable, and confident on and off your yoga mat.
What kind of clothes do people wear for yoga?
Often, a yoga attire is a contentious topic. Many yogis argue that wearing proper yoga pants or other clothing is absolutely critical to achieving the full benefits of the practice. Others argue that the only thing that matters is your personal preference, hence if you don’t like something, then it’s best to just not wear it.
Any kind of workout clothes or activewear is acceptable to wear in your yoga practice. Most students keep it simple by wearing a loose-fitting top on top of a sports bra with a pair of yoga pants. More advanced practitioners gain benefit from wearing high-end performance clothing that’s specifically designed with all the twisting and bending needed in asanas. To get a better idea of what clothing people wear to classes, there are a number of yoga clothing brands you can explore.
How should you dress for a yoga class?
There are a ton of different activewear options to choose from, but the most important thing is to find clothes that are comfortable to stretch in and covers your body to your level of modesty and body temperature needs. As you practice yoga, you’ll eventually notice that you’ll be more comfortable when you’re in certain clothing. Pay attention to what makes you feel good during your practice and then gravitate your selections towards that.
When choosing which outfit to wear, you can also consider many different things from your mood to the type of class. Consider one or more of the following when picking out an outfit to wear.
1) What’s your mood today?
The color and design of your clothing can have a big impact on how you feel. You may want to choose an outfit to counteract a bad mood, help amp you up for a challenging class, or reflect on how you are feeling today.
You can use the following questions to help determine what sort of outfit you’ll choose.
- Is this a day when I’m feeling relaxed and calm, or am I feeling stressed out and anxious?
- Do I want to show off my best side or hide away from others?
- How does my body feel?
- Am I feeling energized and excited to go to class?
2) Where are you practicing?
Depending on where you’re going to practice, you might want to change your wardrobe slightly so you can reflect the personality of the class and fit well with the specific practice. If you are practicing at home, focus more on comfort over style. A home class is also a great opportunity to test out your latest outfit to see how it performs and feels during asanas.
If you are practicing at the yoga studio, try to match up your look with their vibe. If there’s plenty of energy flowing through the room, go bolder than usual. On the flip side, if everyone seems really laid back, maybe stick to a classic black legging set.
The key here is to pick outfits that work for you personally and that you enjoy looking at yourself in. Don’t waste your valuable energy worrying too much about what other people think.
3) Is this a private lesson or group class?
Group classes tend to require more formality because they involve multiple people. In these cases, you need to think about whether you’d rather stand out by dressing too casually or blend into the crowd by dressing appropriately. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and avoid any potentially awkward or uncomfortable situations.
Private lessons usually have fewer formal requirements since you’re working one-on-one with someone who knows you and will likely give you feedback throughout the session. This means you can get creative with your choices without worrying about offending anyone else.
4) Do I care about style?
You don’t necessarily have to dress fashionably every single day. It’s more important to be mindful when you feel comfortable wearing stylish clothes and when you need a more relaxed look.
Whether you prefer classic cuts or trendy styles, you’ll find plenty of options available online or in stores. Just keep in mind that most people appreciate seeing a bit of effort put into their appearance. Don’t worry though – you don’t have to buy expensive designer yoga brands to appear fashionable. A fun patterned pair of yoga pants paired with a funky strappy yoga top can turn heads wherever you go.
5) What’s my budget?
When deciding what you will feel comfortable wearing to class each week, don’t forget to factor in your spending habits. If you have a limited budget, consider shopping at discount retailers, like Walmart or Target. If you feel comfortable investing more money into your wardrobe, then you may want to splurge on high-end yoga brands. However, you can still look chic without breaking the bank simply by shopping around for tops and bottoms that cost less than $30.
It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on buying new workout gear; you can never replace the importance of comfortable clothing. So, make sure you invest some quality time picking out an outfit that fits right and feels great against your skin. Often, more expensive clothing is more comfortable to wear, so find the balance between cost and feel that is best for you.
How to find the most comfortable clothes to wear for yoga
1) Wear clothing that fits you properly
When choosing clothing for yoga, make sure that it fits properly! Yoga outfits should fit comfortably but not restrict movement. They shouldn’t pinch or bind either. Also, opt for stretchy fabrics, such as cotton and lycra, instead of tight-knit materials, which could cause discomfort while doing poses.
It may seem obvious, but having clothing fit correctly is essential. A poorly fitted pair of pants or shorts can put unnecessary strain on certain areas of your body.
Also, in the same way as shoes, size matters. It’s important to find items that fit well enough so you can move freely through a wide range of asanas. However, if you need to go down a size, remember that most yoga outfits run small. When buying new workout gear, check the sizing charts carefully before purchasing anything.
2) Loose or tight clothes?
When you first start out with your yoga routine, wearing tight clothes may feel good at first because of all the stretching involved in yoga poses. However, as time goes by, these same clothes might begin to cause discomfort or even pain if worn too long. If this happens, try switching to looser-fitting garments, such as leggings, tights, sweatpants, etc., which allow more room for movement during exercise.
The downside to losing clothes is that they can be uncomfortable if they bunch up and they can cause unexpected wardrobe malfunctions and unintended exposure during inversions. You may also find bottoms with a drawstring waist to be helpful since they feel more secure than elastic waistbands.
3) Consider layers for weather
Since winter months usually mean colder weather, you’ll probably need to switch into warmer outfits sooner than usual. It is best to wear layers instead of just a single layer of clothing. This helps prevent heat loss from your body when you go outdoors too and from class. As you warm up in your practice, you can peel off the layers to maintain a comfortable temperature.
4) How much will you be sweating?
On a hot summer day or in a heated yoga studio, most of us find yoga class a bit uncomfortable and sweaty. This discomfort and sweatiness are very common for those who practice hot yoga or vigorous types of classes. If you’re worried about getting sweaty, then you definitely shouldn’t wear cotton or thick fabrics. Long-sleeved tops and regular yoga pants may feel uncomfortable as well.
Instead, opt for high-performance fabrics that can wick away sweat and excess moisture. Consider capris or even yoga shorts as bottoms and just a yoga bra as a top. Try to select clothes that offer good ventilation, especially if you’re prone to overheating. Look for shirts that feature mesh panels along the sides, back, and shoulders. They let air flow freely while keeping you cool at the same time.
5) Can you breathe easily?
Make sure that your top does not restrict your ability to take a deep breath in. Breathing exercises are an essential component of the practice, so make sure to avoid anything too restrictive or tight around your belly or chest. Most yoginis prefer to wear a loose-fitting top on top of a sports bra over normal bras when practicing. This is because these types of bras provide support where needed without feeling restrictive to your breath.
What to wear under your yoga clothes
Your level of comfort is not only determined by the clothes you wear to class. The kind of underwear you choose will also have a big impact on your yoga practice! So, what type of underwear would work best for you? Here are our recommendations:
1) Padded or non-padded bra
When practicing yoga, most yogis recommend using a non-padded bra. If possible, try to buy one that has been specifically designed for movement and moisture. Amazon.com has a great selection of yoga bras to choose from.
Generally speaking, non-padded bras are more supportive than padded bras. A padded bra uses a preformed cup that has been designed to fit snugly against the breast. It may have padding on the sides and/or bottom, but the breast itself is still supported by the compression fabric on the outside. This means that the breast is more likely to move around inside the bra, rubbing against the material.
Padded sports bras are great for women who want to wear a bra with good support and shape, as well as have maximum nipple coverage. If you are unsure, look for a padded bra with removable pads.
2) Shelf bra or sports bra
A sports bra offers excellent support and helps reduce bounce. It keeps breasts firmly attached to the chest wall instead of moving around. Look for a sports bra with wide straps and thick material. They offer good coverage while still allowing enough mobility to move freely.
However, keep in mind that these kinds of bras can sometimes limit the range of motion, especially in the shoulders. A top with a built-in shelf bra works well for those who need less support and maximum mobility. Most shelf bras aren’t suitable for high-intensity exercise, so this may not be the best choice for ashtanga or other vigorous styles.
A well-fitting bra should give you the right amount of support without feeling constricting or uncomfortable. It should fit snugly around the breasts but not so tight as to cut off circulation.
3) Wear comfortable undies
When it comes to panties, there are two main options available: thongs and briefs.
If you don’t want your panty lines or underwear to be seen as you squat or fold forward, then opt for a basic thong. Go for a sport thong that is seamless well-high-waisted as to stop the entire outline of your thong from showing through. High-waisted thongs will sit higher up around your waist in the area where your yoga pants happen to fit. So, the thong is pulled upwards to stop the visible panty line from showing up in the middle of your bum.
If don’t regularly wear thongs or don’t prefer wearing them at all, then there’s a small chance you won’t find them comfortable to wear while doing yoga. You will probably be more comfortable wearing briefs as they allow more freedom of motion since their elastic material allows them to stretch comfortably.
To avoid showing panty lines with briefs, look for ones that are made out of a soft stretchy material, seamless, and high-waisted. For example, the high-waisted panties by EBY are made from a soft nylon-spandex blend and are designed to be “no show” with a no-slip nylon grip.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many factors that determine how comfortable you will feel in your practice. The best way to determine what types of clothing works best with your fitness routine is to experiment. Try different brands and fabrics until you find something that feels most comfortable.
When choosing outfits, consider the following points:
What kind of mood do I want to create? How does my outfit reflect my intention? Do I want to focus on my breathing, relaxation, strength, flexibility, balance, etc.? What type of energy am I looking to bring into my body? Are we going to work hard, play hard, relax, meditate, etc.?
