The yoga clothing industry is a highly driven female market, with very little direction offered to male yogis on what to wear. In fact, according to a NYTimes.com article, most men are not even aware that dedicated yoga clothes even exist for men because this clothing is hard to find. The truth is that there are no defined rules; it is more important to find out what works best for you in terms of comfort, look and coverage.
Rugby Shorts
Rugby shorts are a good choice of attire for men doing yoga. Shorts that are too baggy in the leg won't provide enough coverage during certain yoga poses. But rugby shorts are a happy medium--they are not too baggy and not too short, providing comfort and coverage when you need it.
Layerd Leggings and Shorts
Some guys take the layered approach. Leggings, especially ones like Under Armor heat gear, can help wick away moisture. Coupled with a pair of rugby shorts on the top, this type of outfit can provide coverage and heat control. Not that it matters to most men, but the layered look is definitely a nice look.
Lightweight Sweatpants
A pair of lightweight sweatpants can do the trick as well. Again, there are no rules; if you are comfortable, you are able to attain optimum range of motion and your sweatpants are not too warm, then by all means, get your sweats out of the closet and head to class. The NYTimes.com article recommends cutting them off. Perfect--if you like the grunge look.
Tops
Bottoms are by far a bigger question when trying to figure out what's comfortable, cool and concealing for men in yoga. In terms of what to wear on top, a plain old t-shirt or tank will do just fine; just make sure the fit does not restrict your movement or is not so large that it flies up around your shoulders when you bend over. Make sure the seams won't chafe and that the fabric breathes.
Vendors
Chances are you can find yoga gear in your pile of workout clothes, but if you are more conscious about your yoga wear, several vendors now cater to the male market. More and more men are considering sustainable materials such as organic cotton, soy, bamboo and hemp, so expect yoga wear for men to be on the increase. Checkout the Barefoot Yoga Co., Be Present and Prana to get your search started (see Resources).
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