Yoga is a fantastic form of exercise that focuses on strength and flexibility. It has multiple long-term health benefits and is an excellent choice for people of any age. If you’re about to start your first yoga class you may be wondering what to wear to yoga and what not to wear to yoga.
In this article, we will discuss the best clothing to wear to a yoga class, what else you’ll need, what to expect in your first yoga class, and a couple of our favorite items to wear.
Why Do You Need Yoga Clothing?
First off, why do you need specific clothing for yoga? Yoga, no matter what type you choose to partake in, is a form of exercise. You will be moving, stretching, and sweating, so it’s important to wear clothing that not only stretches and allows you to move but also clothing that will help you deal with excessive sweating.
Wearing specific clothing for yoga will ensure that your movements are restricted and you don’t overheat or feel uncomfortable.
What to Wear to Yoga Class
Here is a list of the types of clothing you will want to consider when shopping for your first yoga class:
Clean Clothing
First and foremost, no matter what you decide to get for your yoga clothes, ensure that they are clean. Clean clothing is crucial for a yoga class, especially afterward. Excessive sweating will cause your clothing to become moist and serve as a possible haven for bacteria.
Make sure you clean your clothing after each class; this will prevent the development of rashes and avoid scarier issues like staph, which is common in most fitness facilities.
Flexible and Stretchy Clothing
Look for clothing that is stretchy. If you want to wear clothing with longer sleeves or longer pants legs, ensure that the material is flexible and stretchy. You don’t want to have any restrictions to your movement; many poses require movement that you may not be familiar with, so choose clothing that can move with you.
Some stretchy fabrics that you can look out for are spandex, polyester, elastane, and nylon. Keep in mind, these are all synthetic fibers and some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to these leading to irritation or itch. This can also be traced to the dyes used so it’s always important to test out your clothing to see if you have a reaction.
Soft Fabric
The pro of those stretchy fabrics is that many of them feel soft and don’t chafe the skin while moving. Since you will be moving around a lot, you will want clothing that has soft fabric that won’t constantly rub up against your skin and irritate it. The best fabric for this is polypropylene, which is flexible and transfers moisture.
Moisture-Wicking Clothing
You will be doing a lot of sweating, so you will need clothing that wicks sweat away. Fabric like cotton can absorb moisture adding weight and resistance to the clothing and making it uncomfortable to work out in.
Look for clothing that boasts moisture-wicking abilities so you know that you can get your sweat on without making the workout uncomfortable.
Breathable Clothes
One of the most important factors for what to wear to yoga class is the breathability of the clothing. Some yoga studios will boost the temperature of the room to get people breathing and sweating more. This means you’ll want something that is breathable and doesn’t make you feel suffocated or overheated as you move.
Once again, polypropylene is the best fabric for this as it is breathable, moisture-wicking, and flexible.
Do I Need to Buy “Yoga” Brands?
Many yoga clothing brands take all of these factors into consideration, so any kind of clothing you buy from them should meet all of the requirements. However, many of those brands can be quite expensive, so if you want to avoid paying too much, you may just want to find more affordable clothing that meets the needs on this list.
What Should Men Wear To Yoga?
Here is a wardrobe that is recommended for men for what to wear to yoga class:
Flexible Underwear
Yup, let’s talk about it. Men need some support down there, and since you will be moving around a lot in a yoga class you will want underwear that gives the right amount of flexibility and support so “things” don’t get out or move around too much.
Some men like to wear compression shorts which add support to the thighs and hold everything in place.
Yoga Shorts
A simple pair of shorts is a great idea. They don’t even need to be that flexible, just the right size to allow for proper hip motion. The best way to test it out is to get into a deep squat with them on. They should allow for the full range of motion.
Yoga Pants
Pants for yoga are usually made with a flexible and breathable fabric so you can get into deep stretches for long periods of time. Ensure that they are made of a breathable material since you will be covering the entirety of your legs and will be sweating a lot.
T-Shirt
A simple t-shirt that allows for the full range of motion in your shoulders is recommended. You will want either a tighter shirt that hugs the body throughout the motions of yoga, or one that you can tuck into your pants or shorts since there are inversions in yoga that may cause a shirt to drop over your head in some positions.
What Should Women Wear to Yoga
Here are some wardrobe pieces that are recommended to women for what to wear to yoga class:
Sports Bra
In order to provide the proper support, no matter what position or pose you are in, we recommend some proper sports bras. Find a sports bra that is adjustable and fits you just right. This will make sure that no matter what position you are in, you are fully covered and everything stays in place.
Yoga Tights or Pants
The common fashion choice for women is a nice, flexible, and breathable pair of tights. These will hug the thighs and legs so there isn’t fabric getting in the way of your flow and movement, but also provide the right amount of coverage.
If you prefer something looser, there are also plenty of stretchy and breathable yoga and workout pants out there that are comfortable and will provide the proper amount of warmth without causing you to overheat.
Yoga Top
Some yoga studios can be cold at the start of class, so it’s recommended that you don’t just have a sports bra but also have a top with you just in case. There are plenty of crop tops, sweatshirts, or regular t-shirts that will serve as great additions to your yoga wardrobe, and having a sports bra on underneath will allow you to remove your top if you get too hot.
What About Socks?!
Although most people typically go barefoot in yoga classes, some will go for socks so they can keep their feet warm throughout class. We recommend steering clear of regular socks and instead looking for yoga socks or socks with rubber grips on the bottom. This will allow you to hold positions and avoid slipping and injury.
What Not to Wear to Yoga Class
What to wear to yoga isn’t as big an issue as what not to wear to yoga class. Here are some clothing articles you will want to avoid when in yoga.
Jeans or Dress Pants
Denim is an unforgiving fabric for multiple reasons: it can be rough on the skin, causing irritation with excessive motion; it is thick and not breathable; and it is not flexible and uncomfortable to move in.
The same goes for dress pants, which are usually made of fabric that is meant to hold its shape. There are, however, yoga pants that are designed to double up as dress pants and yoga pants, which use flexible and breathable fabric but can look nice in a professional setting as well.
Hat
A hat will serve as nothing but a hindrance in a yoga class. If you want to keep your hair out of the way, we recommend a hair tie or hand band. Wearing a hat during yoga class is not only rude but is impractical since you are flowing through several motions and will need the full range of motion with your head.
Shoes
As said before, most people go barefoot into yoga class since the pad of the foot and the toes help you properly ground and grip the floor. Shoes are not necessary, and in many ways they are unsanitary. Yoga studios will always have lockers or cubbies where you can place your shoes before entering class.
Underwear or Swimwear
Obviously, you will want to wear underwear, but don’t wear it as your only piece of clothing in a yoga class. Yes, you go there to sweat and work out, but you really don’t want to make others uncomfortable by having one thin piece of fabric between the other yogis and your private area.
Some items like sports bras are designed to be the sole item you wear to work out in and have enough fabric to provide support and cover appropriately.
A swimsuit presents that same problem, just not enough material, and with so little clothing it may make you feel self-conscious when you should feel free to stretch and open your body up to the poses and movement.
What To Bring With You To Yoga
Yoga Mat
In general, most yoga studios have mats that you can borrow or rent, but you should check in with the studio you plan on taking yoga classes in to see if they offer mats. Even if they do have yoga mats you can borrow, you may want your own yoga mat.
For one, you can choose the particular cushion, color, and design so it can truly be yours; many come with their own carrying case or carrying strap to make it easy to travel with.
Another reason is that you will be sweating a fair amount and your mat will soak up a lot of it. This makes using yoga mats provided by the studio concerning for some people. Keep in mind that all mats get wiped after a yoga class, but you may want to stick to your own mat.
Water Bottle
You will be sweating a lot and it will be important to rehydrate when class is over. Having a big water bottle or thermos will allow you to get some water in right before class, during class, and at the end when you have finished an intense workout.
Glasses Case
For those with glasses, it may be wise to have a glasses case by your side. It will allow you to tuck them away right before you start moving and have them nearby just in case you need them to possibly see a pose the instructor is doing.
Hair Bands
Like any physical activity, there will be plenty of movement involved. For those that have long hair, you will want a hair band or hair ties to keep your hair out of your face and controlled as you shift through poses. This will also prevent you from stepping on, or pressing with your hand on your hair as you move.
Optional
Here are some items that you may want to invest in for yourself so that you can practice at home, or for you to bring to class.
Blocks
Yoga blocks provide more support through certain poses. These allow you to ease into more difficult poses so you can get a deeper stretch step by step. Yoga studios will provide these for your classes, but if you are cautious when using items that have been previously used, you may want to invest in your own.
Straps
Yoga straps can allow you to go deeper in certain yoga poses and, like blocks, are provided by the yoga studio to use during class. Again, those straps will have been used by multiple people so we recommend getting your own strap, this way you can also use it at home!
What To Expect at The First Yoga Class
If you’re new to yoga and are unsure of what to expect, here’s a quick rundown so you won’t feel surprised when you go in. Many studios are different so the layout and itinerary may differ, but this is generally what to expect:
Front Desk
Once you enter you’ll want to sign in at the front desk. Many yoga studios will provide a free trial class, or even a week of classes before you need to sign up for a membership or a class card. Introducing yourself and getting to know the staff will give you a better idea of whether this particular yoga studio is for you.
Put Away Your Belongings
After you’ve signed up there is usually an area where you can wait while the class before is finishing up. This area usually has lockers or a cubby where you can place your bag and personal items for the duration of class.
Change into Your Cool New Yoga Clothes
If you haven’t arrived in the proper yoga clothes there is usually a changing room or bathroom where you can get dressed and ready for class.
Set Up Your Spot
Once the previous class has finished or they have opened the doors to the classroom, you can walk in and set up your spot. You will want to unroll your yoga mat and put down your water bottle and other items, giving yourself enough room to move without taking up too much space or intruding on others in the class.
Keep in mind that the yoga instructor typically teaches at the front of the class, so that may help you decide where in the room you want to be. If you don’t want too much attention drawn to you, you may want to choose a spot in the back.
Warm Up
Once you are all settled and have your spot, you may want to do your own warm-up if there is time. Stretch your body and check in to see where your body is at. What’s sore? Does something hurt? What area is going to need love throughout this class?
Enjoy Getting Your Sweat On!
Once the class starts, listen to the teacher and have fun! Yoga is a great place to better understand your body, its limitations, and what it’s capable of.
FAQ
Can I Wear Makeup to A Yoga Class?
Like any workout, you can wear makeup, but it’s not recommended. The combination of sweat and makeup can clog pores; also, it can cause makeup to get in your eyes as you are moving and sweating, which can make the workout far less enjoyable. We recommend going natural and makeup-free in yoga class, but if you must wear it, focus on waterproof makeup.
What Should I Wear If I Am Avoiding Synthetic Fabrics?
Synthetic fabrics may be something you are trying to avoid as some people can be allergic to them, there’s speculation they’re linked to hormone disruption, and it’s becoming clear that they are releasing dangerous microplastics when washed. Bamboo Fiber and Merino Wool are two options that you could look for when looking for fabric that is not synthetic.
