What To Wear To Yoga: A Fitness Guide

Key Takeaways

• Leggings are the most common items when it comes to what to wear to yoga. However, the yoga tops and bottoms recommended below also best to wear for beginners.
• Some inappropriate attire or excessive jewelry can heavily affect your movement. Read on to know what other items to avoid when doing yoga.
• Washing your yoga clothes in a washing machine can damage the fabric. This article gives helpful tips for taking care of your best yoga clothes.

What to Look For in Yoga Clothing?

Fabric Choices

When selecting the best yoga clothes, the fabric is the decisive factor that impacts your overall look and movement.

You can select among natural options, like cotton for easy breathability, bamboo for softness and moisture absorption, or wool can offer warmth for a cooler effect.

On the synthetic side, polyester-microfiber blends are known for their breathability and water-repellent properties. You can also consider spandex, which is best known for its exceptional stretchability.

Comfort

Nobody wants to do yoga in uncomfortable and hard-to-move clothing, and neither do you!

Avoid clothing with irritating features like itchy seams, uncomfortable tags, or ill-fitting waistbands. Your yoga wear should allow you to focus on your practice without distractions from binding or chafing.

Remember, as you tune into your body during yoga, even small discomforts can become major distractions.

Your yoga clothes must be comfortable enough to maximize your yoga movements

Breathability

Depending on your yoga style, you may experience varying levels of perspiration. Therefore, breathability is also another consideration of what clothes to wear while doing yoga.

The tip is to look for moisture-wicking materials that keep you cool and dry throughout your practice while incorporating cutouts or mesh panels that can enhance ventilation. It's best to avoid cotton for sweaty practices as it tends to retain moisture, potentially leading to discomfort or chills as your session winds down.

Flexibility

Have you ever wondered: “Why do people wear leggings for yoga?”

It’s because leggings maximize flexibility while doing yoga.

Hence, for a sport that requires a lot of stretching like yoga, consumers should look for garments that contain at least 15% spandex or a similar stretchy material. This ensures your clothing flexes and moves with your body, allowing for a full range of motion without restriction.

Fit

The fit of your yoga clothes is crucial for both comfort and functionality.

Opt for form-fitting pieces that stay in place during inversions and bends. This is particularly important for tops. You can quickly test a shirt by bending over and seeing if it clings to your body or falls away.

What to Wear To Yoga

Good-quality yoga clothing must maximize comfort when stretching. Yet, it still needs to be stylish to confidently wear and freely mix & match with additional items. Here are some ideas on what to wear to yoga class:

Yoga Bottoms

You have two main options for yoga bottoms: leggings/pants or shorts.

Yoga leggings or pants are most commonly worn as they maximize flexibility, comfort, and coverage.

Leggings are the most common yoga bottoms

When buying leggings, prioritize those made from nylon, polyester, and spandex. These materials provide excellent stretch and moisture-wicking properties, keeping you comfortable throughout your practice.

Loose-fitted pants are the best yoga outfit ideas for slower classes like restorative or yin yoga. On the other hand, form-fitting leggings are preferred for more dynamic styles like vinyasa or power yoga.

Yoga shorts can be a good alternative, especially for hot yoga classes, but be cautious of the coverage during inversions and stretches.

Yoga Tops

If you are looking for what to wear to yoga class for beginners, the ideal yoga top should be form-fitting to prevent it from falling over their heads during inverted poses.

Joyscore’s advisor recommends snug-fitting T-shirts or tank tops that stay in place during movement. To prevent chafing, look for tops made from breathable, moisture-wicking materials with soft seams. Nowadays, many yoga tank tops have built-in sports bras for added support and convenience.

When trying on a yoga top, do a quick test by bending forward—if it stays in place, it's a good fit for your practice.

Choose yoga tops that have breathable and moisture-wicking materials

Sports Bras

For women, a supportive sports bra is essential for comfortable yoga practice, especially for high-impact classes like power yoga.

As mentioned, some of the best outfit for yoga come with sports bras with adjustable straps, breathable fabrics, and, most of all, convenience.

Sports bras are convenient yoga tops for woman

Footwear

While most yoga is practiced barefoot, yoga socks with grips on the bottom can provide extra traction on your mat, preventing slipping. Comfortable, easy-to-slip-on shoes are ideal for traveling to and from class.

However, many yoga studios don’t allow footwear, so check their policies before bringing it.

Choose yoga footwear that prevents you from slippering and don’t damage the yoga mat

Undergarments

Whether you believe or not, undergarments can impact your yoga movement, especially when you sweat during practice. Hence, pick a breathable, moisture-wicking underwear that doesn't bunch or chafe during movement.

Some practitioners prefer to wear form-fitting yoga pants without underwear, which is acceptable if it's comfortable for you. The key is to wear something that allows you to focus on your practice without distraction.

Accessories

Though these are not mandatory when it comes to choosing what to wear while doing yoga, some accessories can be extra helpful in maximizing productivity.

For example, a high-quality yoga mat with sweat-resistant material allows yoga practitioners to hold on to their positions without slipping and allows for easy movement.

A high-quality yoga mat can maximize your yoga session productivity

Or, many practitioners bring a towel with them to provide extra grip and absorb sweat. Don't forget a water bottle for hydration. In case you have long hair, secure it with a hair tie or a hair clip to prevent it from falling to your face while practicing.

What to Avoid To Yoga

It is not hard to find the best clothes to wear for yoga, as they are now available in the market at various prices. However, avoid these items to allow maximum flexibility and movement during your yoga session.

Inappropriate Attire

When attending a yoga class, dress appropriately for the setting and practice.

Avoid wearing swimwear or underwear as your outfit, even if you're attending a hot yoga class. While these garments might seem practical for sweating, they don't provide the necessary coverage or support for yoga poses.

Proper yoga attire not only shows respect for the space and other practitioners but also allows you to focus on your practice without feeling self-conscious.

Thin or Worn-Out Leggings

While leggings are a popular choice for yoga, not all leggings are created equal.

Some thin or worn-out leggings may become see-through when stretched, causing embarrassing situations and discomfort during your practice.

The solution is to buy good-quality, opaque leggings specifically designed for yoga. These are usually made from nylon for durability and lightweight. They will provide the necessary coverage and support, allowing you to move confidently.

Slippery Footwear

Yoga is typically practiced barefoot to allow for a better mat grip and enhance your pose connection with the ground. Some sneakers interfere with balance and flexibility and can also damage yoga mats.

If you must wear shoes when doing yoga, choose skin-friendly materials like cotton and natural rubber and ensure they are swear-resistant to prevent slipping. You can also wear yoga-specific socks with grips on the soles, but be aware that these may affect your stability in some poses.

Excessive Jewelry

Jewelry can get in the way during poses, potentially causing discomfort or even injury. Thus, leave your dangly earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings at home when heading to yoga class. Moreover, sweat can tarnish or damage some types of jewelry.

It's best to remove all jewelry before class to ensure a safe and distraction-free practice.

Too much jewelry can interrupt your yoga practice

How to Take Care of Your Yoga Clothing

Wash Your Yoga Clothes

Hand-washing is the gentlest method and ideal for preserving the fabric's quality. After each session, wash your yoga wear promptly to prevent bacteria buildup and unpleasant odors.

If you can’t wash your clothes immediately after practicing, hang them to dry rather than toss them in a hamper. This prevents moisture accumulation and reduces the risk of bacterial growth.

Tip: When washing, turn your yoga pants inside out to thoroughly clean the areas that come into direct contact with your skin and sweat.

Avoid Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning is not recommended for yoga clothing. The harsh chemicals used in this process can damage the specialized fabrics used in yoga wear, like nylon, potentially compromising their moisture-wicking properties and elasticity.

Stick to gentle hand-washing or use a delicate cycle on your washing machine with cold water.

Dry Your Yoga Wear

Air drying is the best method for your yoga clothes.

While tumble-drying on a low setting is possible, air drying is gentler on the fabric and helps maintain its shape and elasticity. Yoga clothing is typically made from quick-drying, moisture-wicking materials, so air drying doesn't take long.

Moreover, the heat from dryers can cause shrinkage and damage to the fabric over time, potentially reducing the durability of your yoga wear.

Air drying is the best method to maintain your yoga clothes’ durability

Don’t Use Fabric Softeners

Fabric softeners should never be used on yoga clothing. These products can interfere with the fabric's moisture-wicking properties, which are essential for keeping you comfortable during your practice.

The wicking feature pulls sweat away from your skin and allows it to evaporate. Fabric softeners can leave a coating on the fabric that prevents this process, trapping sweat against your skin and potentially causing discomfort or overheating during your yoga session.

Deal with Odors

If your yoga clothes develop an unpleasant odor, particularly if they've been left in a gym bag, the tip is to soak them in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar before washing. This natural mixture can help neutralize odors without damaging the fabric.

After soaking, proceed with hand-washing and air drying as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to be barefoot for yoga?

Sometimes. The yoga rule is to practice with barefoot for better grip and connection with the mat. However, it's not mandatory. Some people wear yoga socks with grips for hygiene or warmth. Ultimately, it's about personal comfort and the specific type of yoga session. Always check with your instructor or studio for their policy.

What do you wear to a yoga class?

For yoga, wear comfortable, breathable, and stretchy clothing. First, opt for fitted leggings or shorts and a supportive top or sports bra. Then, choose moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton or nylon to manage sweat. Remember, the best yoga clothes are all about comfort and flexibility to maximize movement.