Taking a yoga class for the first time can be an intimidating experience.
There’s a lot that goes into taking a yoga class! Not only do you have to figure out what, exactly, your instructor is tell you to do (maybe in another language, at that, if they’re using sanskrit terms), you also have to abide by some unspoken etiquette while you’re at the studio, pay attention to your body and dress the part.
It’s… a lot. For a beginner.
So, if you can show up to class wearing the right thing, it’s one less thing to stress about!
Keep in mind, most of this advice is geared toward women — mostly because I identify as a women and tend to wear clothing marketed toward women. However, a lot of this advice is applicable to any gender.
If you’re getting dressed to head to the studio for the first time, a few pieces of advice:
Check to see if the studio you’re planning to practice at has any dress codes. If so, make sure you adhere to them! Some studios require shirts, some studios ask that you shy away from form-fitting clothing — every studio is different! You can always check a studio’s website, or call the studio’s front desk to ask in advance.
Wear what you already own. There are a lot of high-end brands that market toward yogis — but odds are that the gym clothes you already own will work just fine! I’ll go through a lot of examples in the following posts, but as long as the clothes you already own are similar enough to the examples, you’ve already got something you can wear.
Wear sweat-wicking clothes that you can move in. This means stretchy fabrics, like Lycra or Spandex. Try to avoid stiff fabrics that don’t stretch, like denim. Try to pick athletic fabric blends that wick sweat and dry quickly.
Opt for clothes that stay in place. While I’ll always wear form-fitting leggings and a clingy tank top over a sports bra if I can, sometimes my go-to combo isn’t feasible if I’m practicing at a studio that emphasizes modesty. In that case, opt for loose clothing that isn’t too loose, and prioritize fitted or elastic cuffs! Flared pant legs and loose t-shirts sliding over your thighs and face during inversions can get really frustrating really quickly. If your studio encourages loose-fitting clothing, find pants with ankle cuffs (like harem or jogger pants) and a stretchy waistband so you can tuck in your shirt. See if you can find a shirt with an elasticized or cinched band at the waist and aim for non-drapey sleeves.
Make sure your clothes aren’t sheer. This should go without saying, but do a quick squat test to make sure that students behind you aren’t seeing too much.
Dress for your studio’s temperature. Hot yoga is really popular here in the U.S. — if I’m taking a hot yoga class, I like to wear as little as possible: usually leggings and a sports bra. If you’re practicing in a non-heated studio and you tend to get cold, it might be a good idea to keep a light sweater or cardigan and socks nearby to layer on before savasana.
Wear supportive undergarments. Keep in mind that you will do a good amount of inverting. If you’re a woman, this means a good sports bra that keeps your chest in place during wide-legged forward fold. If you’re a man, this might mean compression shorts so your gym shorts aren’t revealing too much when you lift a loose-fitting short-clad leg in downward-facing dog. Be mindful of panties and whether they’ll bunch up with movement — this may mean opting for thong-style underwear or panties with silicone grips to keep seams in place.
Be mindful of embellishments. Buttons and zippers on leggings — especially on the thighs and low back – can be uncomfortable for many poses. Sports bras made for high-impact activities, like bras with underwire, hooks and other metal components, can also be incredibly uncomfortable. Avoid shirts made with knots, bunching or twists in the fabric.
Don’t forget the cover-ups. If you’re taking a hot yoga class and plan to wear the bare minimum — like a sports bra and tight shorts — remember to bring a shirt to layer over top for entering and exiting the studio.
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So… what should I actually wear, then?
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If you’re a woman, form-fitting leggings or yoga/ bike shorts, joggers or harem pants — all without zippers or thick seams — are always a good idea.
- Leggings: My favorite Lululemon Luxtreme Wunder Under leggings were discontinued, but I’ve heard great things (from people who aren’t constantly lint-rolling husky fur off their clothes) about Lululemon’s “Align” leggings. Other great options include Alo’s “Airlift” leggings, Beyond Yoga’s “At Your Leisure” leggings, Vuori’s “AllTheFeels” leggings and Target’s All In Motion “Everyday Soft” leggings. Yoga leggings are so ubiquitous, it’s pretty easy to find an option for any budget!
- Bike shorts: Nike’s “Zenvy” bike shorts and Lululemon’s “Align” shorts are good examples of this style.
- Harem/ jogger pants: I love my Lotus & Luna harem pants. These Zella joggers would also be great, as would Athleta’s “Salutation” joggers.
Opt for a sports bra or tank designed for light or medium impact without underwire or obtrusive hooks. You can wear a regular sports bra — I’ve been pretty vocal about Lululemon’s “Energy” and “Free to Be Serene” bras being two of my favorites — or a long-line bra for a bit more coverage.
Or, consider a tank top with a built-in shelf bra or sewn-in/ removable bra pads. The Prana “Becksa” top is a great option, as is the ever-popular Lululemon “Align” tank top.
If you’re going to practice with a top over your sports bra, try to wear a top that’s either form-fitting, made of a clingy material, or has an elasticized hem. Opt for a sleeveless top, or one with fitted sleeves.
- Tight-fitting or clingy tops: My NikiBiki cropped tank tops are my go-to tanks for yoga. The FP Movement “Never Better” crop, Old Navy “PowerSoft” tank top, Beyond Yoga cropped racerback tank top and both Prana”Heavana” racerback tank top and Prana “Cozy Up” tank are also all good picks.
- Looser-fitting tops: This top from Beyond Yoga is sleeveless and has an elasticized bottom hem, Athleta’s “Step Forward” tee has elasticized hems at the bottom and on both sleeves, and Zella’s “Cinch Bubble” t-shirt cinches at the hem (but be warned — it does have plastic toggles that might be uncomfortable during some poses).
And, finally, street clothes. I usually wear Birkenstocks to-and-from yoga class since they’re easy to slip on and slip off. I like to bring a zip-up jacket (my favorites are the Lululemon “Define” jacket and Patagonia “Better Sweater” fleece jacket) to toss on after class when I head out the door.
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Regardless of what you pick — make sure you feel comfortable!
My views are mine alone and don’t represent those of YogaSix, YogaSix Flagstaff or any prior yoga studio I have worked for. You can read more on my disclosure and privacy policy page.
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