What to Wear to Yoga

In a typical class, you can expect to find yourself in lots of different positions—even upside down. Wearing loose-fitting or baggy yoga clothes can be a hindrance if your top is falling in your face during a forward fold. But form-fitting pieces will stay in place, letting you focus on what matters.

While you want something form-fitting, you don't want it tight or restrictive. You need activewear that allows you to flow freely, feeling comfortable and unconstrained. Any restrictive clothes, zips or thick seams are out. Materials that stretch are in.

Some yoga classes will get your heart rate up more than others. Vinyasa yoga is a style of yoga that connects individual poses (asanas) with your breath. It's a seamless flow that typically takes on a faster pace than other types of yoga, like Hatha, which focuses on holding poses.

In more athletic classes, you can expect to sweat, so you need clothes that let your skin breathe. This is especially important for hot yoga. Wearing thick, cotton pieces can impact your performance as you'll start to feel weighed down by your sweaty clothes.

Light, breathable fabrics that are fast-drying and sweat-wicking should be a vital component of any yoga outfit you wear. Keep reading to get a recommendation on the best fabrics to look for.

Whatever position you find yourself in during a yoga class, your outfit needs to support your body. This is particularly important for your sports bra. Even if your yoga isn't high-intensity, it's still important that you wear clothes that don't need constant adjusting; clothes that keep your body supported from the beginning to the end of the class. For example, a sports bra with adjustable straps, a thicker material like Dri-FIT and wide coverage will be more supportive than a thinner, pull-over sports bra. Look for activewear with similar features—adjustable straps to fit your body's proportions, form-fitting materials that stay in place and a high waistband.

Let's not forget the importance of aesthetic appeal. With countless different styles and designs, you'll be able to find yoga wear that suits your personal style and preferences.

Feeling good in your workout gear matters. Not only are you more likely to enjoy your workout and stay consistent, but you'll also be able to express yourself through your clothes. You don't have to compromise on fashion for function. Get yoga clothes that do it all, just like you do.

We've covered the basics, now let's get specific. Here's the breakdown of your yoga outfit and some recommendations.

Getting a supportive sports bra that offers enough coverage and structure to keep you in place is key. For those with larger chests, choosing a high-support sports bra is recommended. Even though the class might be low-impact, the variety of movements require support.

For those with smaller chests, you can opt for light to medium support depending on the type of yoga you'll be doing. For Vinyasa, Ashtanga or hot yoga, it's better to opt for more support. Smaller-chested individuals in Yin or restorative yoga need less support.

A staple in any yoga outfit is the yoga trousers. Yoga leggings come in different styles—high-waisted, crops, capris, flared, tights and more. Experiment with these different styles to see if you have a preference.

But go for yoga-specific trousers or leggings. They'll be more flexible, allowing you to move comfortably through a full range of motion due to their stretchy fabric.

For some folks, a pair of yoga trousers and a sports bra is enough to complete a yoga outfit. But some prefer the extra coverage of yoga tops.

If you're going to a Yin or restorative yoga class that will keep your heart rate and body temperature lower, you may want to wear a long-sleeve T-shirt or hoodie. These can be worn before, during and after your practice, depending on your body temperature and comfort level.

If you're going to sweat but still want the extra coverage, opt for a light, breathable tank top. Look for moisture-wicking fabrics like Nike Dri-FIT. This will move sweat away from your body for quicker evaporation, helping you stay cool without feeling heavy even if you're dripping in sweat.

Usually, people go sockless during class so that their feet can grip and connect to the mat during poses. But if your feet sweat, you may slip and slide on your yoga mat. If that's the case, you might consider yoga socks.