We’re collectively moving out of a worldwide funk that has resulted in many people picking up new, healthy hobbies. If yoga has piqued your interest, you may be stuck on a few things, like what to wear to yoga. Lucky for you, you’re in the right place!
From the comfiest workout underwear to breathable and lightweight clothing options like hemp pants and hemp tank tops , we’ll be discussing everything you need for a successful yoga class.
I’ve been practicing yoga for several years now and I’ve experimented a lot (in terms of yoga styles and different gear/clothing). I’ll do my best to get you started without having to go through all the trial and error that I did. Let’s get to it!
What comes to mind when you think of yoga attire? It’s likely some form of tight fitting yoga pants and an exercise shirt. If you plan on attending an in-person class that’s likely the “uniform” you’ll be seeing on most of the attendees.
However, you don’t need to go and splurge on any yoga-specific attire just yet. If yoga becomes your thing, you’ll want to expand your wardrobe to have a yoga category. For now, here are some factors to consider when answering the question “what do I wear to yoga?”:
Flexibility: Yoga is a form of exercise fully based in stretching and flexing the body. For that reason, you want to wear clothes that allow for a full range of movement and won’t hinder or bother you when you bend down.
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Opacity: If you’ve ever tried to do a downward dogyou probably understand why thin, sheer pants are a no go. There are a lot of booty-forward poses in yoga so it’s important to wear clothes that will move with you instead of stretching on your body and exposing your undies.
Fabric: Natural fabrics are the best option for your body and the planet on any occasion—This is especially true for physical activities! Synthetic fabrics can cause skin irritation and chafing, especially if they don’t have moisture wicking properties. Save yourself the trouble and opt for a breathable, lightweight fabric like hemp .
Comfort: A comfy outfit is a must for any form of exercise. For yoga, it should rest close to your body without digging in or suffocating you.
Temperature/ Intensity: Most yoga studios offer a variety of classes so check closely to make sure you know what you’re getting into! A hot yoga class (which I don’t recommend for beginners) requires clothing you can comfortably sweat in while a yin yoga class can even be done in a cozy sweater (if the studio isn’t heated).
WHAT TO WEAR TO YOGA CLASS: A BREAKDOWN OF THE BASICS
Now that you’ve got the general gist of what an ideal yoga outfit should look like, let’s break it down. Each of these elements is an important part of what to wear to yoga, so we’ll be looking at them individually in order to help you make the best choice in each category.
UNDERWEAR
Let’s begin with the foundation of any outfit: undies! What to wear for yoga in terms of underwear is quite simple. You want a full coverage pair that will keep you comfyand contained, while still letting you flow.
How To Choose The Best Yoga Clothes: Undies
Always go with the natural option. Hemp makes for the best breathable underwear which is ideal for avoiding that swampy feeling downstairs when you start to break a sweat during your workout.
If you’re staying at home for your yoga class, feel free to go pantless and rock only a pair of cozy boy shorts underwear or trunks underwear (provided it’s not a zoom class where you are visible to the teacher, yikes).
Avoid cheeky underwear and thongs because they are more prone to shifting and riding up your butt whilst you stretch.
BRA
For those with a little bit of extra weight on their chest, a sturdy, supportive bra is a must. Trust me, even the calmest bedtime yoga practice can be an absolute pain (literally) if you’ve got a set of badonks swinging around. Keep the girls cozy in a sports bra at all times.
How To Choose The Best Yoga Clothes: Bras
A lightweight, breathable bra like the racerback bralette is ideal in terms of what to wear to yoga class. It has the right amount of support without being as thick and restrictive as a heavy-duty sports bra.
Avoid any bras with snaps or closures that may dig into your skin during twists or poses that require you to lay on your back.
A full coverage sports bra is a great stand in for a shirt, especially if the question is what to wear to hot yoga.
BOTTOMS
The type of bottoms you wear to yoga largely depends on the style of yoga, the temperature, and your personal preference. People most commonly opt for yoga pants, leggings or shorts but you can play around with whatever works for you.
How To Choose The Best Yoga Clothes: Pants
Most people will opt for skin tight bottoms because those move with your body and won’t get in your way. I, however, like loose, thin pants that have an elastic band at the ankle. Fit matters: you don’t want anything that’s so baggy that it can make pose transitions difficult, or anything that will move up and down your leg (because annoying!).
If you live in a warm climate, are partial to hot yoga, or have chunky, old radiators whose heat could rival the desert sun, a pair of hemp shorts is an ideal, breathable option.
Make sure your bottoms are opaque enough by doing a little bend test before class. If the fabric doesn’t thin out as it stretches on your booty, you’re good to go!
TOPS
If you wear a full coverage sports bra you can totally rock that as a shirt. However, for those who need or prefer a shirt, it’s important to find one that will function well for yoga. Again, opt out of anything super loose, because I promise you’ll get a face full of shirt on that first downward dog.
How To Choose The Best Yoga Clothes: Shirts
If you can get your hand on a nice, form-fitting exercise tank, great! If not, that’s totally fine too. You can definitely wear a regular t-shirt. Just opt for one that’s tight enough that it will mostly stay in place.
If all your shirts are baggy, just tuck it into the waistband of your pants.
If you’re often chilly, wear layers instead of one bulky long sleeve. Yoga may not cause you to break a sweat like a high-impact workout but your body will warm up quickly in class.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING TO YOGA CLASS?
Now that you know what to wear for yoga, let’s touch on some of the other things you’ll want to get before your first class.
YOGA MAT
A yoga mat is pretty much the only thing you need to do yoga. Yes, many studios have some mats on hand for those who need them but let’s be real, borrowing common-use exercise gear is always just a bit icky. I recommend buying one for yourself!
There are many eco-friendly yoga mat options out there to suit all preferences.
WATER BOTTLE
Water is a must have for any exercise class. I treat my reusable water bottle like an extra limb: it goes where I go. If you don’t yet have a good quality water bottle, think of investing in one. Even if you decide yoga isn’t for you, a water bottle is something you’ll be happy to have in general.
YOGA BLOCK
A yoga block is a wonderful accessory for beginners—Or anyone who is still working on their flexibility. A yoga block is a foam rectangle that you can find easily online, or at any store that sells exercise gear.
TOWEL
A towel probably isn’t necessary for most of the chill, beginner yoga classes. However, once you start getting into the juicer, fast-paced or hot yoga classes, you’ll want to keep a little towel near your mat just to keep your face sweat free while you move.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF YOGA
In order to accurately determine what to wear to yoga, you need to know what type of yoga class you’re attending! There are many styles of yoga and variations within those styles so we definitely won’t be discussing all of them here. This is just the tip of the iceberg! (Pro tip: look into the types of classes you’re likely to find at your local yoga studio).
HATHA YOGA
Hatha yoga is a term used to describe any physical type of yoga, and refers to any fusions of the styles you’ll read about below. These classes are often slower paced and intended for beginners. A hatha yoga class is a great way to familiarize your body with yoga poses..
VINYASA YOGA
Vinyasa means “flow” in Sanskrit, and defines continuous movement in a yoga practice. In a vinyasa class, each pose transitions seamlessly into the next. This allows you to really get lost in the practice and follow your own breath (which should be synchronized with each pose transition). These classes are suitable for beginners, but it does help to have a foundation already you can really get into the whole flow-thing, without feeling like you can’t keep up.
ASHTANGA YOGA
Ashtanga yoga is definitely not the thing to pick for your very first class. It’s a more intensive style that involves following a sequence of poses at a steady pace. This is more of a strength building practice, and is a perfect way to deepen your understanding of yoga once you build a good foundation with the basics.
BIKRAM YOGA
Bikram yoga is also known as hot yoga, as it takes place in a room that is heated to a temperature of above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why the answer to “what to wear to hot yoga?” will look a little different than the general guidelines we discussed. You’ll be real moist during this practice folks, so keep that in mind. It’s not a fast paced practice, per se, but I still don’t recommend it for beginners due to the intensity that comes with the high heat.
YIN YOGA
Yin yoga is the chill sibling of yoga styles, also known as restorative yoga. Yin yoga is suitable for all, no matter your experience (or fitness) level. It’s slow and is used more to allow your body to relax after a long day or week. These classes often take place in the evenings in low light, so if you’re ever in need of some delicious, cozy self-love, yin yoga is just the thing!
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A YOGA CLASS
Well, you’re pretty much ready to hop right into your first yoga class. You’re no longer asking “what do I wear to yoga?”, you know what gear you need, and you’ve got a basic grasp of some of the different styles. I’m so dang excited for you! Yoga is an incredible practice that produces long lasting benefits that go beyond the physical .
Before I leave you to start exploring the magic of yoga on your own, I just want to touch on the things you should expect during your first yoga class and beyond.
Your brain may get in your way: Yoga is all about the mind, body, spirit connection, but let me tell you, sometimes the mind does not want to cooperate. In fact, it’s inevitable that you’ll be distracted during your first few classes. Don’t worry about it. The more you practice yoga, the more accustomed your brain will become.
Flexibility takes time: Fun fact, I couldn’t come even close to touching my toes before I started practicing yoga. It took a year for me to get there! You’ll start feeling the effects of yoga in your body right away, but you won’t immediately gain the flexibility of a contortionist.
Let your instructor guide you: Most of the time in an in-person yoga class, the instructor will ask if it’s okay to touch you during the class to help you adjust. I suggest you accept this help happily! Most yogis are competent enough to know that yoga isn’t about muscling your body into shapes, so the adjustments aren’t made in order to get you into a shape that looks right, but one that feels right for your body.
Disregard how the poses look on others: Avoiding the comparison trap is a motto to follow in all parts of your life, but it’s especially important when applied to yoga. It can be intimidating to see people effortlessly bend in half when you can barely touch your toes—I get it! As I mentioned above, yoga poses are meant to feel good, not look a certain type of way. Listen to your body (and instructor)!
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The benefits take time to kick in: The first few yoga classes I ever took were…Not exactly fun. I was impatient, I couldn’t stretch as well as everyone else in the class, and my brain would not shut up. And guess what? That frustration still sometimes happens. The only difference is now I know how good I’ll feel at the end. As you deepen your yoga practice you’ll grow more patient and better equipped to handle the frustrating moments.. Just keep at it and I promise you won’t regret it!
WHAT TO WEAR TO YOGA: CONCLUSION
Yoga is a deeply intuitive practice. Sure, you need the guidance of an experienced teacher to learn the poses in a safe way, but ultimately you’re encouraged to go with the flow of your own body. Yoga is all about allowing yourself to be exactly as you are, after all.
This same idea applies to what to wear to yoga class. You can follow the guidelines to get you started but in time you’ll know exactly which pieces work best for you. Remember, it’s all about flexibility, comfort, and freedom of movement. What that looks like depends entirely on you!
Are you preparing for your first yoga class? What led you to consider yoga in the first place? Let’s chat in the comments—I want to hear all about your yogi journeys!
