As in a dance class, movement in yoga classes will require that one has comfortable clothing that will hug the body and not move and leave you exposed. Today yoga clothes for women are so comfortable and fashionable, they easily do double-duty and can be worn as part of a business casual dress code at the office, running errands after class at the farmer's market, or shopping at the mall.
Women will favor tops that range from versions of a jogging bra with more style, tank tops, T-shirts and tunics that could be worn to an elegant dinner. Pants can be short and sporty for "hot yoga" classes, or boot cut long pants that cling to the hips to stay put, capris for more coverage than short shorts and less revealing that leggings.
Men have it easy with yoga shorts that are longer in length, and many men simply remove their T-shirts for class. Tank tops are common and long pants less so.
What to Look for
For women attending yoga classes that are Ashtanga, Bikra, or other "Hot" yoga styles where the room is apt to be quite warm and you will be in almost constant motion, yoga shorts that cling and yoga tops that are almost like dancewear camisoles but with a built-in shelf bra, are practical. Coverage and the ability to not slide off the body is key, as constantly adjusting a fussy top is a hassle while practicing.
Unlike something you might wear to the gym, women's yoga garments may be composed of less spandex and more often woven from cotton or a blend that allows moisture to wick away from you and still keep its shape and stay firmly on your body as you transition from upward- to
downward-facing dog. Color palettes may be more earth-toned rather than very bright primary colors, making them feel different than clothes you'd wear to play basketball or lift weights.
Long a standby in dance classes, full-length or 3/4 length leggings that cling to the body and keep the legs warm are still a classic, but are usually too revealing to wear later to a dinner or errands after class. In an Iyengar yoga class, however, where body alignment is emphasized, leggings allow you to find the shape of the poses as the teacher asks you to lift the quadriceps and hug muscles to the bone.
For other, less heated styles of yoga that do not have as high a "sweat factor," wearing more loose-fitting pants that are almost a pajama pant may be more comfortable as they do not restrict the body and keep one warm in a less strenuous practice. Capris that hit the leg at mid-calf or slightly lower also work, as they provide coverage and freedom of movement. Long-sleeved T-shirts or tops that are cut for more warmth and coverage would work here, too.
One thriving manufacturer has capitalized on the popularity of fusion yoga/dance classes and makes boot cut yoga pants that have a roll down top that provides cling, coverage and a very flattering silhouette that will not leave your backside exposed, no matter how many chatarangas you do.
Blends are practical here: cotton and a bit of spandex so tops and pants wear well and do not lose their shape and ability to cling to and stay on the body.
And for those who prefer organic cotton, there is a growing market for this, as well as bamboo and even spun soy and other environmentally-friendly fibers that are breathable and soft. Price ranges for this kind of garment may run from $30 to $100 for T-shirts, and women's tops and pants ranging from $40 to $150 or more, depending on the blend.
For men, the equation is probably a lot simpler: surfer-style board shorts still appear in many yoga classes, as do more body-hugging versions of shorter shorts that are more often seen in Ashtanga, Bikram and other "hot" yoga classes.
In these hotter classes, men often just remove their T-shirts and don them at the end of practice. While not as common, there are long pants that are cut full with a drawstring waist that are almost similar to what might be worn for certain martial arts practice. Cotton T-shirts, tanks for both sexes and baggy shorts that have a snug waistband that stays put are popular.
Price ranges for organic T-shirts for men can range from $30 and up, and board shorts from $40 and up and pants $55 and up. Short shorts made from Spandex blends can start from $40 and up.
Common Pitfalls
Newbies to yoga often wear baggy shorts, T-shirts or worse, sweat pants and sweat shirts. These kinds of garments will slide off the body and are better worn for sleeping or lounging at the beach than in a yoga class. Yoga clothes must cling to the body in some way to provide coverage and warmth for muscles.
Pitfalls are buying clothing that you believe will shrink or not shrink. Read labels and see if the items are made from pre-shrunk cotton or if it is a blend with spandex, which means air drying for longevity. (Waist bands stretch when exposed to high dryer heat.) As expensive as some of the women's tops and pants are, it pays to shop in bulk or online once you have found a manufacturer that makes a style that works for you. Wearing a leotard and full-footed stockings will not work. Even the most gentle, slow-moving yoga classes will require you to be able to grip the mat with your bare feet, so leotards are best saved for a ballet class.
The other extreme is to think that wearing a bathing suit--for men or women--to a class and finessing it. Do not do it--bikini tops will slip off your shoulders and the bottoms will move and provide the kind of view to your fellow yogis that you do not intend. As with any garment worn in a public exercise class, try on the garments and move around in them in the dressing room. You will be glad you did.
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