How to Dress Correctly for a Great Yoga Session? A Beginners Yoga Outfit Guide

ByAgni Yoga India

Choosing the right outfit for any fitness activity is very important and Yoga is no different. Even though Yoga doesn’t involve extensive jumping or hopping, it is always better to wear an attire that keeps you comfortable throughout your practice. It should let you perspire without getting immensely drenched in wet. Therefore, the selection of fabric and the fit is extremely crucial. A wrong choice can end up giving you discomfort and rashes, especially in summers.

Dressing correctly for yoga can be a little more challenging than it seems. The right yoga attire, like any other physically demanding activity, can bring a huge difference to your practice and postures. For example, on the day when you choose to do a slow and gentle practice, you may not desire to dress in body fitted outfit. However, when you are thinking about practicing complex postures, you may want to dress in clothes that allow for smooth movements and don’t get tangled in your arms or feet.

If you ask those who practice yoga, their answer will be to wear something breathable and comfortable preferably. However, it is more than just comfort. Choosing the correct outfit can be difficult, but it can help you during your yoga session in a variety of ways.

We have compiled a Yoga Outfit Guide for you to make your life easy and help you choose the right outfit for a great yoga session.

What to Wear to a Yoga Class?

Yoga clothes have a new face now. They are no more boring and come in a variety of styles, fittings and colours. From functional wear, they have become a fashion statement. They are a part of a fashion category known as “athleisure,” which means that people now wear yoga clothes for fashion alongwith function. As a result, a wide variety of yoga wear with pockets, bright colours, wild patterns, mesh cut-outs and other features is now easily available for all body types.

We have curated an exhaustive list of clothes that should be a part of your yoga wardrobe.

Sports Bras

Sports-Bras

It’s a misconception that you don’t need to wear a sports bra while doing yoga. Your sports bra selection is determined by your bra size and coverage needs. Advanced yoga classes require more support because you’ll be twisting and inverting (going upside down). In the case of a low-intensity basic yoga session, a lower level of support is fine. However, avoid wearing a regular bra as it doesn’t provide adequate coverage and support.

Yoga Tops and T-shirts

Yoga-Tops

Choose yoga tank tops or t-shirts that fit snugly around the waist and hips. During forward bending postures and inversions, this fit keeps the shirt from falling over your head. For sweaty classes, choose shirts with breathable light materials and soft seams. There are yoga tops and camisoles that come with an inbuilt shelf bra and bust support. 

Yoga Pants or Leggings

Yoga-Pants

Look for yoga pants or leggings that are breathable, flexible and comfortable. Pants made of a nylon-polyester-spandex blend are a good choice because they move with you through postures while also wicking moisture. The majority of leggings range in length from full leg to midcalf. Loose-fitting pants are a good choice for slower-paced yoga classes. However, they are not recommended for advanced classes because they can restrict mobility. If you choose to wear loose-fitting pants to an intense yoga class, look for the ones that cinch around the ankle.

Yoga Shorts for Men and Women

Yoga-Shorts

Men’s yoga shorts with built-in liners are available from some brands for comfort during practice with intense bends and stretches. Yoga shorts that are longer and reach the knees, on the other hand, can give the required coverage during inversions. Spandex yoga shorts, which are typically bought by women, are a tricky business as they ride up or roll down during practice and don’t provide much coverage during difficult poses.

Breathable Undergarments

Breathable-Undergarments

Yoga, like any sport, involves sweat and movement. Wear base layers that breathe, wick moisture and don’t chaff the folds of your body. It is always better to avoid thick cotton as it tends to absorb moisture, leaving you feeling wet and uneasy. Purchase seamless underwear that will not chafe or move around on your body as you perform deep stretches. Some people also prefer to wear formfitting yoga pants that too without underwear. To avoid panty lines, opt for seamless panties.

Yoga Socks

Yoga Socks

Some people find it comfortable doing yoga wearing socks and some don’t. Although, the majority of people do yoga barefoot since the grip of the foot is better, especially in an indoor studio setup. If you wish you wear socks then choose the ones that offer some grip and support during balancing and lunging postures. They shouldn’t slip on the floor and your feet shouldn’t slip inside them while wearing them. If you feel cold in your calves, you can choose to wear compression calf sleeves.

How to Dress Correctly for a Great Yoga Session?

Here are a few guidelines for you to select your dress correctly for a great yoga session –

Breathable fabric – Always choose a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. These days some fabrics allow more air passage and are made of something called Quick Dry material. Workout outfits made with Quick Dry material dry super quick and don’t make you feel sweaty and wet. These are best for people who heavy sweat heavily.

High-quality fabric – Always select high-quality fabric. You don’t want to wear opaque material that will expose your innerwear or show the panty lines, especially leggings or yoga pants. 

Choose the right fit – Don’t wear loose outfits for the practice. Loose garments can get tangled and you may get injured by losing balance and concentration while performing postures.

Say no to synthetics – Don’t wear synthetic material that doesn’t let the sweat dry. It can cause chafing, itches and rashes.

Choose comfort over style – The outfit should be comfortable and should not make you conscious while doing yoga. Avoid clothes that are too loose, have tight waistbands, itchy tags or sag and roll with your curves.

Room for flexibility – Choose clothes that allow adequate capacity to stretch for bending, stretching and lunging during yoga postures.

Listen to your body – Buy exercise clothes that contour your body perfectly and give you confidence during the yoga session.

Tie your hair – Open hair may get tangled and you might like someone dragged reverse into the bushes. It is always a good idea to tie your hair up in a ponytail to keep your hair under control during forward bends and side stretches. Since you will also be doing yoga poses on your back, choose a style that is simple to redo after or during the class. 

High waist bottoms – You’ll be doing postures that will require you to bend forward in a sitting or a standing position. Choose high waist bottoms to avoid exposing your cracks on the behind.

High necklines – If you are conscious about showing your cleavage then pick tops with high necklines that don’t expose your body while doing headstands, shoulder stands or any other inversions.

How to care for your yoga outfit?

Most yoga apparels come with washing instructions. However, in general, it is good practice to turn your garments inside out and wash them in cold water followed by tumble drying on low heat for a short cycle. 

Don’t use harsh washing liquids or detergents as they may affect the stretch quality and shape of the yoga garment. Especially those garments that have some component of sweat absorption should be washed regularly to avoid any odour and sweat stains.

Yoga clothes don’t require fabric softeners as the fabric is already soft on the skin.

If possible, hang your gear to dry after washing rather than using a dryer; a short spin cycle or hang dry will extend the shape and life of your garments. Avoid wringing though. If you have bright-coloured yoga clothing, try to wash it separately the first few times to avoid colour bleeding onto the other garments. Also, wash your yoga gear separately from towels, as cotton fibres may leave heavy lint on yoga clothing.

Bottomline

The main three factors that heavily influence the selection of your yoga outfit are – your style and preference; the type of yoga you intend to practise; and the intensity of your practice. Keep in the very basic rules while determining what to wear for your yoga session whether you are a teacher or a student –

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