How to Choose the Best Yoga Apparel

The right yoga gear can make or break your chaturanga dandasana. If your yoga pants are too restrictive, they limit your movement, not allowing your muscles to fully stretch and expand into each posture. Too loose, and they’ll bunch in your twisting poses. The right kind of gear is also very dependent on the type of yoga you practice – ashtanga, vinyasa, Bikram, gentle, or heated. These styles of yoga are as different as flag football and the NFL. Following these tips will help you find your center comfortably and stylishly on the mat.

Restorative Yoga

Comfort is key in this type of yoga. The practice is meant to completely relax and bliss you out, so choose loose-fitting leggings, tops, and sports bras for a session of restorative yoga. You also might want a light pullover or jacket and socks for your savasana. There is nothing worse than trying to relax when all you can think about are your cold feet.

Heated Yoga

Depending on the type of heated yoga you practice – Bikram or heated vinyasa – you’ll want to dress appropriately. Shorties and a sports bra are the perfect combo for Bikram, which is the hottest yoga style and practiced at a scorching 115 degrees. For heated classes in the 90 – 100 degree range, capris or leggings are fine as long as they are made from a performance fabric designed to wick away sweat. For these slightly heated classes, you have a little more flexibility based on your personal preferences. Make sure to bring a towel with you and consider investing in a fabric towel for your mat so you aren’t slipping and sliding.

Non-Heated Yoga

For any non-heated yoga, you don’t have to worry as much about sweat (although, if you’ve ever been through a serious ashtanga class, you know that’s not always the case.) Comfort, fit, and quality are the most important factors to consider. Make sure to think about seams and waistbands and select the style that fits you best. Make sure your yoga bottoms don’t pinch or gap at the waist. And remember, even if you can get away with cotton, performance material is never a bad choice.

Studio to Street

Here’s a not-so-secret secret – you actually never have to take your yoga pants off. With a high-quality pair, you can take them from the studio to the street to the sofa. The key is styling your yoga pants with adaptable, versatile tops, sweaters, and jackets. You can coordinate an outfit that works just as well in downward dog as it does at brunch.

Whichever yoga style you practice, let your personality dictate your choices. Shorts, capris, pants? Long-sleeved, short-sleeved, tank? You can never really make a mistake. The prints, patterns, and solids you pick are as unique to you as your practice – so let your inner light shine!

Shop our line of yoga apparel today.