Strike a Pose, Dress the Part: A Guide to Proper Yoga Attire

September 5, 2024

So you’ve booked your first yoga class, decided whether to rent or buy a mat, and checked the route to the studio. The only remaining question is this: what are you going to wear? The good news is that you’ll be spoilt for choice.

As yoga has become more popular worldwide, manufacturers have expanded their yoga clothing ranges. That means you can choose from thousands of tops, bottoms, undergarments, and even socks. In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose the proper yoga attire for your practice.

Why Yoga Apparel Matters for Your Practice

Choosing the proper attire for your Uptown Yoga class is about more than looking stylish. With the right apparel, you’ll find it easier to follow your instructor’s guidance and focus on the class’s asanas. Just picture this situation – you’re stepping back into your first downward dog of today’s practice, trying to lengthen your spine and lower your heels, only for a too-loose t-shirt to fall over your face.

While less-than-comfortable clothes may not be practice-ending, they’re certainly distracting and taking away some of the benefits you’d normally expect from your time on the mat. The perfect yoga apparel is comfortable without being too loose, fits well without constricting your motions, and helps you feel great while you’re moving through your practice.

Choosing the Right Material

The materials and fabrics your yoga clothes are made of have a huge influence on how comfortable you feel when you’re practicing. Avoid materials that are itchy or irritate your skin. Moisture-wicking and breathable materials are excellent when practicing on a warm day or choosing a more challenging class.

Polyester or nylon work very well, while cotton can hang on to moisture, making you feel damp and uncomfortable. As the class slows down, you may even feel chilled. Remember to check that your yoga wear allows you to bend, stretch, lunge, and enjoy moving in every direction. Fabrics with spandex are excellent at following your movements while keeping their shape.

More and more suppliers are also offering sustainable alternatives to traditional yoga wear. If this is something that’s important to you, look out for bamboo-based fabrics. They combine some of the best characteristics of natural and artificial fabrics.

Best Yoga Garments for Women

Gone are the days when you had to choose between functionality and design. As activewear has become more popular, you can choose between wild patterns, bright colors, or more understated designs.

Yoga leggings come in high-waisted and low-waisted styles. Opt for high-waisted leggings if you’d like a little more coverage or are joining a faster class as there is less danger of these models riding down during inverted poses. Wide-legged yoga pants offer extra comfort during slow, restorative classes.

As a rule of thumb, choosing fabrics that are not too thin, saggy, or see-through works for many practitioners. The same goes for yoga tops: fitted tops work well for many practitioners as they stay in place even if you’re bending over or moving a little deeper into the pose.

What About Sports Bras?

Compared to activities like running or high-impact workout classes, yoga is a gentler form of movement. Still, most women will feel more comfortable wearing a well-fitting sports bra under their yoga tops.

Some yoga tank tops have already been fitted with a sports bra. If you’ve found one you love, we recommend trying it on and even attempting a gentle forward bend in the changing room. It’s a great way of finding out if your top works for you.

Staying Warm

Don’t forget about the latter part of your practice when things slow down and you’re preparing for savasana or a Yoga Nidra meditation. You may want a warmer, long-sleeve top for those poses to make sure you stay warm.
Yoga socks can also go a long way toward keeping you comfortable when you’re warming up or slowing down.

Yoga Apparel for Guys

Generally speaking, yoga clothing for men follows the same rules and recommendations as yoga clothing for women.

If you’re getting ready for your first yoga class, a pair of slim-fitting joggers and a short-sleeved top would work well. Choose lightweight, breathable material to stay cool and comfortable. Yoga leggings work really well for men, but if you’re feeling self-conscious wearing them, consider covering them with a pair of your favorite workout shorts.
Just remember to check that you can move freely and stretch easily.

Bringing Your New Look to the Mat

There are very few hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing the proper attire for a yoga class. If you’re a new practitioner, opt for something comfortable but not too loose in a breathable fabric.

Chat with more seasoned practitioners to find out about their favorite yoga wear brands, and don’t be afraid to approach our experienced instructors for advice. They’ll be more than happy to help you avoid pitfalls and get the most out of your practice from your very first class.