Are you heading to your first yoga class and wondering what to wear?
Or maybe you’ve practiced yoga for a while and are thinking about changing your go-to outfit for something that you feel more comfortable in?
Below you’ll discover the best tops and bottoms to wear to yoga, what to wear depending on the style of yoga you’re practicing, whether you need to bring anything to class, and how to wear your hair.
What Should You Not Wear to Yoga?
It might be easier to answer the question “what do you wear to a yoga class” by first looking at what you shouldn’t wear.
Ultimately, you can wear anything you want to a yoga class! The most important thing is that you feel comfortable.
Because of that, you’ll want to avoid clothes that are too tight or too loose as they could get in the way of your practice.
You also don’t want to spend the entire class adjusting your outfit…
Do You Wear Socks or Shoes to Yoga?
Yoga is usually practiced barefoot, even if you’re attending an outdoor class.
This is because yoga allows you to stretch, strengthen, and utilize all of the muscles in your feet without the restraints of shoes.
If you find your bare feet slipping on our yoga mat, you can opt for a pair of yoga socks with sticky pads on the bottom, which can help to make your practice more comfortable.
Ozaiic Yoga Socks with Non-Slip Grips & Straps
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What Kind of Top to Wear to Yoga
Although you might feel more comfortable in a loose-fitting top, you’ll need to consider that it’s likely to slide down and potentially cover your face during poses such as downward-facing dog. And it can even be a safety hazard in an Aerial yoga class.
Related: What to Wear to Aerial Yoga
Tighter-fitting tank tops or t-shirts will stay in place and give you the freedom of movement needed during fast-paced classes such as vinyasa yoga. They’ll also help to keep you cool when things get sweaty.
If you’re practicing a slower floor-based style of yoga, such as yin yoga or restorative yoga, you might prefer to wear your comfiest t-shirts or long-sleeved tops to help soothe your body and nervous system. Longer sleeves and thicker material will also help to keep you warm in slow-paced classes.
What Kind of Bottoms to Wear to Yoga
Choosing what bottoms to wear to yoga also depends on what you feel comfortable in and the style of yoga you will be practicing.
Generally speaking, tight bottoms such as leggings or shorts will make it easier and more comfortable to practice fast-paced styles of yoga such as vinyasa or power yoga.
If you’re joining a yin, restorative, or other slow-paced yoga class, you can wear anything that feels comfortable!
Remember that you will be moving your body into all kinds of positions. So if you usually don’t feel comfortable wearing particularly short shorts in public, you probably won’t feel comfortable wearing these during a yoga class either.
What to Wear to a Hot Yoga Class?
A hot yoga class is exactly how it sounds: hot and sweaty.
Because of that, you’ll probably want to opt for tight-fitting sports clothes that are breathable and moisture-wicking.
For women, we recommend wearing a sports bra underneath your yoga clothes so that you can practice in this if the class gets too hot for clothes!
How to Wear Your Hair to a Yoga Class?
Although some of the best social media photos feature people practicing yoga with their hair down, this isn’t always practical during a yoga class.
Again, how you choose to wear your hair during a yoga class depends completely upon how you feel the most comfortable.
If you choose to wear your hair down, you might want to bring a hair tie or headband to move your hair out of your face if it keeps getting in the way.
Do You Need to Bring Anything Else to Your Yoga Class?
When attending a studio yoga class, you don’t need to bring anything other than yourself and the clothes you want to practice in.
However, here are a few extra items that you might want to consider depending on personal preference, the studio, and the style of class.
Yoga Mat
Although most yoga studios will be able to provide you with a mat, you might prefer to practice on your own. Check before you attend the class to see whether the equipment is included and whether you need to bring anything.
Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat
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Yoga Blocks
Props such as blocks and cushions are usually available in yoga studios, but you can bring your own if you choose to! If you tend to use blocks throughout your practice, check to see whether there will be any available for you to use.
Gaiam Essentials Yoga Blocks
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Towel
Both small hand towels and large towels that cover your mat will be beneficial during hot yoga classes and other styles that tend to get a bit sweaty.
Gaiam Yoga Towel
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Yoga Socks
These are great if you don’t like practicing with bare feet or if you find yourself slipping on yoga mats.
Ozaiic Yoga Socks with Non-Slip Grips & Straps
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Blanket
Savasana or corpse pose can feel a bit chilly at the end of a yoga class, so check with your studio to see whether or not they provide blankets. Otherwise, you might like to bring your own.
Manduka Premium Yoga Blanket
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Water bottle
Although some teachers recommend that you don’t drink during class, you’ll want to ensure that you’re hydrating both before and after class. If you’re practicing hot or prenatal yoga, keep a water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the class.
Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle – 32 Oz
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A snack
Although you want to avoid practicing yoga on a full stomach, you might feel uncomfortable practicing on an empty stomach. Having something to nibble on after class is also a good idea.
Tip: If you’re unsure what you need to bring to your yoga class, check with your local studio to find out what they provide and what they recommend bringing.
One Simple Thing to Help You Decide What to Wear
Really, there’s only one thing you need to consider when deciding what to wear to a yoga class.
Comfort.
What are you going to feel the most comfortable in?
You’ll want to think about what will allow you free movement during your practice and what you feel comfortable wearing around other people.
Make sure that your yoga clothes fit you properly and that you’ve removed any itchy or uncomfortable labels that might interfere with your practice.
The Takeaway
When deciding what to wear to your next yoga class, you’ll want to consider:
- Whether or not you would like to wear yoga socks during your practice
- The clothes that you feel most comfortable in
- The clothes that allow you to stretch
- Clothes that don’t get in the way of your movement or ability to practice
And remember, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable.