According to a study by the Yoga Journal And Yoga Alliance, the number of men who began practicing yoga increased by 150% in just four years (between 2012-2016), and the number has only grown since then. With the number of new yogis taking up the exercise, there are a lot of questions regarding what the proper male attire is for yoga classes.

When it comes to dressing for yoga classes, men should prioritize comfort over style, ensuring that their clothes have enough room for them to do every single position with efficient comfort. Looking for clothing that with yoga-compatible materials should also be of importance. 

Here, we’ll break down exactly what men should look for when choosing outfits for their yoga classes– from the quality of material to the style of the pieces.

Things To Keep In Mind

Let’s break down some important things for men to remember when choosing an outfit for a yoga class. We’ll be talking about the following:

• Flexibility
• Fabric
• Wearability Outside Of Class
• Comfort First
• Brands
• Cost

Flexibility

It’s a common belief that tight workout clothes are beneficial during exercise as they’re thought to increase blood circulation, thus making for a more effective workout. Though that may ring true for weightlifting and other exercise options, yoga is one of those workouts where roomy clothing is vital.

Poorly fitting clothing, or attire that’s too tight and constricted, can hinder you from experiencing a yoga workout to its full capacity (and they’re just not the most comfortable things to wear in general).

Tight clothes are also more likely to pinch and bunch in areas where your body creases, like the groin, underarms, and the back of your knees. Since yoga involves constant body folding, you’ll want enough room in your clothes for your skin to move without being caught by the fabric- this means loose, roomy tops and bottoms. 

Fabric

There are many choices to choose from when it comes to athletic clothes, but when it comes to yoga, there are a couple of holy grail fabrics to keep in mind.

Polyester and polyester blends are excellent choices for yoga. The material is super durable, so it can withstand friction and sweat without thought and is naturally sweat-wicking. For a more cost-effective option, go for rayon.

With environmentally friendly options on the up and up, many bamboo-sourced clothing options are also hitting the market. These are breathable, strong, and odor-resistant, making them an excellent choice for any workout.

Comfort First

You may sacrifice comfort for style when it comes to your day-to-day ensembles, but when it comes to yoga, a general rule of thumb is that comfort trumps aesthetic! You’ll want your clothes pajama-comfy for your yoga session. 

Yoga is showcased in media as one of the more “stylistic” exercises you can participate in when in reality, there’s no need to worry about how you look during your class! Fashion sense is the last thing other yogis would be judging you about, so wear what makes you feel comfortable and ready to participate. 

Brands

For those who like their clothing looking cohesive, many athletic fashion brands are beginning to release men’s yoga lines. These are fantastic choices for men who like to have clothing pieces dedicated to specific workouts or want to form more of an “outfit” with their exercise attire.

Some well-loved brands include LuluLemon and Fabletics, both brands have pieces and lines dedicated to men’s yoga clothes- all of them are of excellent quality and very stylish!

Cost

Though it’s normal to set aside money to buy clothes dedicated to your yoga workout, you should never feel pressured into buying all new pieces for your class! Chances are, you have more than enough pieces in your closet to form multiple yoga-ready ensembles.

The shirts you wear to bed are likely perfect for a yoga class, and the same goes for the baggy sweatpants that you already gravitate to for your regular gym sessions. 

Best Tops For Guys To Wear To Yoga

The kind of tops you should wear to your yoga class depends entirely on your comfort and what type of class you’re attending. You can take many different yoga classes, including outdoor classes, hot yoga (also known as Bikram yoga), and more relaxed styles like Hatha yoga. 

We can’t recommend going for a sweat-wicking material if you’re looking to buy new tops for your classes. This fabric is best reserved for exercising, especially workouts that make you sweat as much as yoga does.

Sweat-wicking tops will help your skin breathe during your session, reducing chafing, heat rashes, and other issues you don’t want to worry about while in class. Fabrics like this allow sweat and condensation to lift from your skin and evaporate- keeping you nice and dry while you’re in downward dog.

As for the types of styles you should be looking for, here are a couple of our favorite cuts for guys to wear to class:

• Loose tanks
• T-shirts
• Long sleeves
• Shirtless

Loose Tanks

A baggy tank top is one of the most popular clothing options for male yogis. Instead, look for something with cotton material (or other breathable fabric) that doesn’t hug the skin around your armpits or neck. 

A muscle tank is a fantastic choice since they have drop sleeves that allow for the most breathability. The roomier the shirt, the better of an option they are for hot yoga classes or for those who tend to be on the sweatier side.

Of course, with looser clothing, there’s always a chance that your shirt will fall when you’re in certain positions. If this is a problem, you can always tuck your shirt into the hemline of your pants for extra security without compromising the roominess of your shirt.

T-Shirts

This is likely the most accessible clothing item you can wear to your yoga class! Cotton t-shirts are easy to come by, and there’s a chance you already have several of them in your drawers as we speak.

When it comes to t-shirts, find pieces that aren’t constricting around the arms. Then, when you try your shirt on, flex your muscles and see if the shirt still feels comfortable or if you could benefit from a larger size.

These shirts don’t need to be made of exercise material. A simple cotton shirt would do just fine.

Long-Sleeves

You probably wouldn’t reach for a long-sleeve shirt during a hot yoga session, but if you’re looking to turn up the heat during a standard class, if you’re going for an outdoorsy yoga experience, it wouldn’t hurt to throw on something with a little more coverage.

Unlike the previously mentioned styles of tops, you can opt for a tighter-fitting long sleeve shirt. But, again, we would suggest sticking with a material dedicated to athletic endeavors so that the fabric doesn’t stick to your skin and that you don’t feel the sweat on your body.

Shirtless

We wouldn’t recommend going shirtless for your first yoga class until you have a thorough understanding of the environment that you’re in. For example, you may be the only man in a class full of women, and in instances like that, it wouldn’t hurt to ask around to see if anyone would be uncomfortable with you potentially taking your shirt off for the class.

However, if other guys in the class have been regularly attending without a shirt on, feel free to join. It’s all up to your level of comfort. 

Best Bottoms For Guys To Wear To Yoga

The bottoms may be an essential part of the male yogi outfit. It’s the area where you want the most support and comfort, so you can place all of your focus on your breathing and what your instructor is guiding you to do next. 

Thankfully, there’s absolutely no shortage of styles to choose from, so you have many options depending on what you’d be most comfortable wearing to class- from shorts to the classic yoga-style harem pants.

The most significant feature of yoga-appropriate bottoms is that they provide support in the right places. In addition, you want a balance between breathability and body-fitting. 

Look for pants with good hip band support, so you don’t need to worry about adjusting where they sit throughout the class. As for any workout, you don’t want your pants to be too long either, or you risk stumbling over them when switching from position to position. 

Among the most popular styles to choose from when it comes to bottoms are:

• Joggers
• Capri Pants
• Yoga Shorts
• Harem Pants

Joggers

Some people may tell you to stray away from the jogger when it comes to yoga classes, but we think that with proper foresight, they could become your go-to bottom of choice for your yoga classes.

They’re perfect for those who want a little more coverage during class and are an excellent pick for guys who prioritize comfort. The most significant feature that we would recommend you look for in a pant with a tapered or cinched bottom. 

This will ensure that your pants close around your ankles so they don’t fall down your legs during certain positions or end up being caught around your feet. 

Capri Pants

The Capri pant is a cut of bottom that’s rising in popularity for male yoga enthusiasts. These offer a lot of room and breathability, making them another fantastic option for those who find comfort paramount. 

Most athletic capri pants are dedicated for yoga classes, but some of the top features to look for are thus:

• A supportive waistband
• Roominess throughout fabric
• Stretch material

Some options have cinched legs that sit comfortably and securely around your calf, so you don’t have to worry about them riding down your leg.

Shorts

For those who live in hotter climates, or if hot yoga is your exercise, it may be an excellent choice to go for shorts as your bottom of choice. If this is the direction you’re going for, the biggest tip we have is to wear a pair of supportive underwear with your shorts to avoid showing anything you’d rather keep hidden.

If you don’t want to buy a new pair of shorts to wear to your yoga class, you can always wear a pair of gym shorts- however, be forewarned that the material is a little slippery (making you more prone to accidental flashes).

Instead, opt for a pair of cotton shorts with a little room. Or, if you’d like to go shorter, jogging shorts (usually with a liner for added security) are also a fantastic choice.

Harem Pants

If you’re serious about your craft or want to lean into the traditional style of yoga, you also have the option of splurging on a pair of yoga harem pants.

These bottoms combine all the incredible qualities you would want from a yoga bottom, making them the ideal choice for those who frequent yoga classes (or if the exercise is your workout).

The main features of these pants are a thick, secure waistband, a drop crotch, and loose fabric throughout the bottom that only cinches around the skin around the calf and ankle. 

The waistband offers comfort and is notably thick enough for it to fall a bit during your workout without you needing to adjust it. The crotch and looseness of the fabric allow for the most convenient for your groin and keep the material from clinging to your skin. The pants cinching around the leg also keep them from tripping you up. 

Conclusion

Security and breathability are the top features to keep in mind when it comes to guys choosing what to wear to yoga.

A pair of gym shorts and a basic tee can be just as effective an outfit to don during a class as harem pants and a brand-name tank, but if there’s anything to keep in mind while choosing your outfit, it’s that comfort is critical.

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