The Best Workout Clothes for Yoga and Why They Matter

Did you know that what you wear when you’re practicing yoga can affect your performance? That’s right—if you want to give your all on the mat, you should dress for the occasion. The best workout clothes are ones that breathe, wick moisture, and offer protection from the environment. They should fit well, offer full range of motion, and keep you comfortable. And yes, they can look great, too! Here, I’ll explain more about what makes for the perfect yoga outfit and where you can find one.

Did you know you can even have a stylist curate one for you and deliver it to your doorstep? And no, it doesn’t cost a fortune! I’ve got the details on that for you too.

• Does Your Yoga Wear Matter?
• How to Choose the Right Activewear
  • Do the Dressing Room Downward Dog
  • Eliminate the Guesswork
  • See What Others are Saying
• The Best Workout Clothes for Yoga and More

Does Your Yoga Wear Matter?

Do you remember high school gym class? (I know, I’m sorry for bringing it up!) You likely wore either a hideous gym uniform issued by your school or some ratty old sweats and a T-shirt. Chances are good that you felt pretty gross—and probably not very motivated to exercise. Well, now that you’re all grown up, you deserve better. High-quality athletic clothing will make your workout so much more enjoyable and effective. A 2012 study found that what you’re wearing has a significant effect on your mindset. If you’re dressed for a certain task, you’ll perform it with more confidence. The experts call it “enclothed cognition,” and what it means in this case is that if you dress like a serious yogi, you’ll practice more like one.

In addition to your mental and emotional state, treating yourself to the best yoga clothes affects your physical performance. Wearing yoga pants and tops that stretch with you and keep you cool will allow you to work out longer and harder. You’ll move more easily through your poses and avoid overheating. And you’ll stay focused on your practice when you’re not distracted by ill-fitting clothing riding up into places it doesn’t belong. When you purchase top-notch athleisure wear, you’re not simply indulging—you’re making an investment in your physical wellness.

How to Choose the Right Activewear

So now that you’re ready to stock up on all the best gym clothes for your yoga practice, how can you be sure you’re choosing the right pieces for you? Here are some helpful tips for selecting the proper workout wear.

Do the Dressing Room Downward Dog

Try clothing on, if possible. If you’re at a brick-and-mortar activewear store, head to the fitting room to give the pieces you like a test run. Try stretching and bending to make sure everything fits the way you’d like. If an item looks great on the rack or is on clearance, but it rides up or chafes you, forget it. Life’s too short to wear ill-fitting, uncomfortable yoga pants.

Eliminate the Guesswork

If you’re making an online purchase, take your measurements and use the designer’s size chart. Don’t guess at your size and hope for the best—you’ll wind up making returns and exchanges. Do your measurements put you between two sizes? If so, choose the larger one. You’ll have more room to stretch through your yoga poses, and if the item shrinks over time, it should still fit.

See What Others are Saying

Read user reviews to learn more about the pieces that interest you. Do those cute Lululemon leggings help to wick away moisture? Do they run large or small? Are they long-lasting? Commentary from other customers often provides the best insight. Reviews can even provide advice on how you should care for certain items, like laying them flat to dry. How often should you wash workout clothes anyway? Short answer is: every time you work out, even if you don’t sweat much.

The Best Workout Clothes for Yoga and More

You can find some of the best workout clothes for women at a variety of price points in stores like Old Navy and Nordstrom. If you’re interested in sustainable options, you can check out eco-friendly activewear options like Boody Body and Outdoor Voices. Many great choices are available to you in stores and online if you know what you’re looking for.

Maybe you’re new to yoga and could use a little help selecting the right apparel for you. Or maybe you’re interested in trying pieces from brands that are new to you, but you aren’t sure where to start. That’s where YogaClub comes in. YogaClub is a subscription box that delivers curated yoga outfits to you for at least fifty percent less than retail price. You’ll get cute, chic, comfy clothing that will make getting dressed for class (or just a session at home) much more fun.

To get started, you’ll take a quiz that tells YogaClub stylists a little more about your apparel needs and personal style. When you’ve finished, they’ll use that information to curate an outfit just for you and deliver it directly to your doorstep. Stylists choose pieces from popular brands like Free People, Splendid, and Manduka—and you’ll get three pieces per box for $79. That’s a great deal compared to what you’d pay in a store, and you can make exchanges on any items you don’t like. You can also rate the pieces you’ve received, and that feedback will help stylists create outfits you’ll love for future boxes.

You can choose a monthly or bi-monthly subscription to YogaClub, and it’s easy to cancel at any time. But, if the reviews are any indication, you won’t want to! Users rave about the luxe activewear pieces they’ve received and what great deals the boxes are. Some reviews say that the clothing is cute and stylish enough to function as everyday casual wear. If you live in your yoga pants, your stylists can send ones that take you from the studio to the street and back.

So if you’re overdue for a workout apparel update, you may want to give YogaClub a try. It could be just what you need to take your practice to the next level. After all, when you look and feel amazing, you’re more motivated to do amazing things!