How to Choose the Right Yoga Clothing for Your Practice

It’s no secret that yoga makes a fantastic workout—not only for the body, but also for the mind and soul. There’s no better way to connect with your higher self than to roll out your mat, focus on your breath, and work through your favorite poses or asanas. But what do you wear to yoga class?

Whether yin is your thing or you’re all about vinyasa, feeling confident and at ease is key to having a peaceful and grounded yoga practice. With so many different fits and styles of yoga clothing, finding the right outfits can be intimidating. That’s why we’ve put together this special GEYED to choosing yoga wear that allows you to find your center comfortably and in style.

What Kind of Yoga Wear is out there?

Here’s the good news: you have tons of options to choose from! If you’re just starting out, take this as an opportunity to explore different pieces and find a yoga outfit that works best for you and your practice. From tank tops and bras to leggings and jackets, we’ll walk you through each piece of yoga clothing to help you choose outfits that enhance your yoga experience rather than distract from it.

As you select a new yoga top, there are a few things you’ll want to consider.

-How does the top fit?

The last thing you want is for your shirt to fall over your head as you move into a headstand or downward dog. Therefore, you’ll want to choose a fitted yoga top that hugs your curves and stays in place throughout your practice, allowing you to focus and move freely.

-What type of yoga do you practice?

Tank tops and shirts are popular options because they help keep you cool. But if you practice in a cooler climate (or a cooler room), you'll want a top with a heavier fabric. If hot yoga is your jam, you'll want to choose a top that is made of light, breathable fabrics. Yoga tops with slits or cutouts can also provide great ventilation.

-What kinds of styles do you like?

Whether you prefer crew necks, v-necks, or halter-tops, be sure to choose a style that you feel comfortable in.

Bras

Through all of the bends and twists of a yoga class, you’ll want a supportive sports bra that gives you the right amount of coverage. Keep your preferences in mind as you navigate the various designs out there with different types of closures, straps, and padding options. If your go-to yoga top is a sports bra alone, it’s especially important to find one that suits you, your body type, and the type of yoga you’ll be doing.

Tanks

If you’re practicing in a tank, it should be fitted, but not too restrictive. We’d suggest a material that is more stretchy than flowy to ensure that it stays in place as you move. Depending on your body type, you might want something tighter or perhaps something with more coverage and protection. Many yoga tanks also feature built-in bras for extra support, so you can decide whether or not that is necessary for you.

Shirts

If shirts are more your speed, think about which styles make you feel your best. Are you into v-necks, halter-tops, or crew necks? Do you prefer cropped tees or longer shirts? Whatever you choose, you’ll want to make sure you have enough coverage. Keep in mind that lightweight shirts will keep you cool and stretchy materials will give you a full range of motion.

Jackets and Sweatshirts

Be sure to dress for the temperature outside, as well as inside! It may be a hot day, but the room you do yoga in could be blasting air-conditioning. Or maybe you’re heading to hot yoga in the middle of winter. That’s why layering is crucial in making sure you’re comfortable for the entirety of your practice.

You’ll also want to think about the type of yoga you’ll be doing. You might break a sweat during a strenuous practice, but the cooldown could get chilly. If you’re doing a more restorative yoga, you also might want to bring a jacket, sweatshirt, or wrap to maintain a comfortable body temperature.

How to Choose Yoga Bottoms

When choosing the right yoga bottoms, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. If you’re practicing in a warm environment, you might opt for capris or shorts. If you tend to get chilly, full-length may be the way to go.

2. Do you prefer a fitted or relaxed style? A high-movement yoga class will call for fitted yoga leggings, while a lower-movement class, such as yin, can be done with looser, more relaxed pants.

3. If you’re looking for more structure or tummy control, high-waisted pants are a great option. If comfort is your priority, try some mid-rise pants. Mid-rise pants do fall down more easily, however, so be aware of this. You may want to pair your mid-rise pants with a long yoga top to make sure you have enough coverage, especially when bending over.

As with all yoga clothing, you’ll want yoga pants that are breathable, stretchy, and fit comfortably.

Shorts

Yoga shorts are ideal for warm days or hot yoga. Make sure that they're not too loose, don’t bunch up, and provide enough coverage for a comfortable practice.

Pants

Yoga pants feature a looser fit and are open at the ankle,  making them perfect for a yin or restorative practice requiring less  movement. Thin yoga pants are more breathable and wick away moisture, while thicker yoga pants offer additional coverage.

Leggings

If your practice involves a lot of movement, your best bet will be yoga leggings. Their tight fit at the ankles will prevent them from getting in the way of your practice. Both capris and full-length leggings are solid options, depending on your preference and the temperature.

Skirts & Skorts

A less common option is the yoga skirt. Some people enjoy the range of motion a skirt provides. Yoga skirts typically have built-in shorts and are best for higher-movement practices and warmer climates.

What to Pay Attention to When Choosing Appropriate Yoga Clothing

When choosing appropriate yoga clothing, here are some questions you should ask yourself:

Are your clothes flexible?

Yoga is all about flexibility—your yoga clothes should be, too! It’s important to choose pieces made of stretchy and lightweight materials for maximum flexibility. Yoga leggings fit snugly and move with your body, making them a popular choice among yogis.

Is your yoga outfit comfortable?

Your yoga wear should allow you to center yourself and balance your chakras—a feat that’s nearly impossible with uncomfortable clothes! You’ll want to find a yoga outfit that is neither too loose nor too tight and allows you to stretch as much as possible.

Are the materials breathable?

While some types of yoga are slow and meditative, others are physically-demanding and will cause you to break a sweat. When that happens, you’ll want moisture-wicking and breathable materials to keep you cool and comfortable for your entire practice.

Are you prepared to layer?

Depending on the season, time of day, climate, and type of yoga you’re practicing, layering may be necessary to keep you warm and comfortable before, during, and after your yoga session. Even on a hot summer day, you may heat up during the flow and get chilled during the cooldown. It’s always a good idea to grab a yoga sweatshirt, wrap, or jacket to be prepared for changes in temperature.

Are there clothing features that will distract you?

Some yoga clothing includes zippers, bows, collars, and clasps that can take away from your yoga practice. Itchy tags and overly tight waistbands can also throw off your flow. To make the most out of your yoga class, keep it simple and avoid uncomfortable clothing with distracting features.

Is your yoga wear supportive?

Especially when doing types of yoga that require a lot of movement, you’ll want to make sure that your clothing supports you. This means picking out a sports bra and/or yoga top with the right amount of protection and coverage needed for your practice.

What kinds of clothing do you prefer?

What best suits your body type? Do bright patterns bring you inner joy, or do you feel more zen in neutrals? Which styles give you motivation and confidence? These are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself in order to find a yoga outfit that makes you look and feel your best.

Can it withstand frequent wear and washing?

If you plan on practicing yoga regularly, you’ll want to choose yoga clothing that maintains its quality and can handle multiple wears and washes each week.

Is there a drawstring?

While drawstrings enable you to adjust the fit of your waistband, they can bunch up and cause discomfort while lying on your stomach.

Yoga Wear Materials and How to Distinguish Them

Most yoga clothing is made of polyester, nylon, or spandex (or a combination of these). These materials are breathable, lightweight, and stretchy, making them ideal for staying comfortable and cool. When selecting an outfit, you may want to avoid cotton as it tends to hold moisture.

Polyester

Polyester is light, yet incredibly sturdy. Its moisture-wicking properties make it one of the most popular materials for yoga wear. By itself, however, it is not the most breathable, which is why it is often combined with other materials.

Nylon

Nylon is known for its stretch and durability. It dries quickly and is thinner than most fabrics. When paired with spandex, nylon is a solid material for yoga garments.

Spandex

Spandex is a must-have material when it comes to yoga clothes, as it provides more stretch than any other fabric while still maintaining its form. Spandex is less durable, however, which is why it is often combined with nylon or polyester.

How to Take Care of Your Yoga Wear

If you’re going to invest in high-quality yoga clothes that support you on your yoga journey, you’ll want them to last as long as possible, wash after wash. Here is our GEYED to caring for your yoga wear.

Machine wash cold with like colors.

Washing your yoga clothes in cold water will prevent any shrinkage or fading colors. Using cold water is also more eco-friendly than warm or hot water. Be sure to wash your garments on a gentle cycle with no bleach. Do not dry clean.

Tumble dry no heat.

Air dry or machine dry on the most delicate setting to extend the life of your yoga garments.

Do not iron.

Because extreme heat can damage the materials of your yoga clothes, we do not recommend ironing them.

Yoga is one of the best forms of self-care, and the outfit you practice in plays an important role in that. Whatever you choose to wear to yoga class, be sure to focus on the comfort and function of your clothing, not just its appearance. With the right outfit, you'll be able to look inward and focus on your yoga practice, not your clothes.

Visit our shop now to find the perfect yoga outfit for you!

Sources:

https://www.scheels.com/e/post/how-to-choose-clothes-for-yoga.html

https://gearbaron.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-right-yoga-clothes/

https://www.artofliving.org/uk-en/yoga/yoga-for-beginners/yoga-wear-secrets-choosing-right-yoga-clothes

https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Yoga-Pants

https://silverbobbin.com/best-fabric-for-yoga-pants/