FASHION

WHAT TO WEAR TO YOGA

By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 8 December 2025

With a new year on the horizon, wellness is back on the priority list. Maybe you want to stay consistent at the gym, go for a walk every morning or try your hand at Pilates or yoga. However you choose to move, your clothes matter more than you’d think. But it's the latter on today's agenda. Whichever type of yoga you’re into – from Vinyasa to Kundalini – there are must-have items, technical materials and even more specs to consider if you want to achieve maximum zen.

Picture: Getty

Off the mat, yoga clothing has transitioned into the athleisure aesthetic – think Kylie Jenner, Lori Harvey and Laura Harrier’s slinky flared gym leggings and matching tops that have inspired a new wave of yoga-casual. So if you're unsure what to wear to yoga (or you just live in activewear), consider this your definitive guide – featuring yoga pants, yoga tops and more.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR A YOGA CLASS AS A BEGINNER?

On the topic of what clothes to wear to yoga, the formula is surprisingly simple. Much like Pilates and other stretch-heavy sports, you want pieces that move with you. Ideally, everything should be fitted so excess fabric doesn’t get in the way of the movements: leggings > joggers, second-skin vests > baggy tees. If you’re curious about what shoes to wear with yoga leggings, the answer is none. Yoga is traditionally practised barefoot to encourage the best mind-earth connection, but many beginners find grip socks helpful for staying anchored on slippery studio floors and mats. And you’re thinking of investing in good yoga accessories, look no further than brands like OYSHO.

WHAT MATERIAL IS BEST FOR YOGA WEAR?

To manage your sweat levels during your session, opt for moisture-wicking performance blends like polyester or nylon-elastane, like TALA’s DayFlex range. If 2000s yoga outfits are on your moodboard, you’ve probably noticed an abundance of oversized T-shirts layered over sports bras. If that's more your vibe, just make sure your tee is made of natural fibres like cotton or modal for optimum breathability.

SPORTS BRAS

A sports bra is a must when it comes to any workout, but it’s extra crucial in yoga. Just think of all the downward-facing dogs, cobras and child’s poses you’ll be doing. Because contortion is essentially the name of the game, avoid bras with any hardware, fastenings or clasps – they could dig into your skin and possibly lead to injury. If you’re doing something low-impact like Hasha yoga, you can scale down the support with a lighter bra.

GET THE LOOK:
4505 micro rib light support sports bra, £20
Nike Training Zenvy light support sports bra in burgundy, £49.99
OYSHO light support comfortlux sports bra with cups in black, £25.99
Tala DayFlex wrap front sports bra in deep taupe, £44

YOGA TOPS

Basically, any top that’s stretchy, flexible and fitted is perfect for yoga. But with today’s Pilates and yoga-casual aesthetics borrowing from ballet style codes, a tie-waist top or hyper-femme V-neck are high on the list of what to wear with yoga leggings. If your top offers enough in-built support, you can skip the sports bra entirely. But, like the sports bra, ensure it's as seamless as possible, with little to no fastenings.

GET THE LOOK:
OYSHO Heavy rib cotton blend wrap top with tie in black, £25.99
adidas Training Yoga motion texture tank in black, £33
Tala DayFlex V neck vest longer length in espresso, £44
4505 seamless slim fit running long sleeve top in white, £22

YOGA LEGGINGS

When you think of yoga outfits, leggings immediately come to mind. They’re almost as iconic as the poses themselves, and they’ve earned a place in the athleisure hall of fame. Like women's gym leggings, yoga leggings should be flexible and high quality (lest the unthinkable happens during a group class). We even stock pocket gym leggings with handy compartments that'll keep all your essentials close.

GET THE LOOK:
Tala DayFlex wrap high waisted flared yoga pant in burgundy, £64
4505 Yoga soft touch fold over waist leggings in deep brown, £28
4505 Hourglass Icon soft touch wrap waist slim kick yoga legging in black, £28
4505 Icon soft touch high waist yoga legging in charcoal green, £20

Pictures: ASOS

ARE LEGGINGS OR SHORTS BETTER FOR YOGA?

If you're lucky enough to be practicing on your balcony during a picturesque summer morning, yoga shorts are a comfortable choice. But leggings offer coverage and more confidence for beginners, especially if you’re in a group class. Even experienced yogis may prefer leggings when progressing through deeper stretches and complex movements.

GET THE LOOK:
4505 Icon short in chocolate, £16
4505 Yoga 5 inch shorts, £20
Tala DayFlex shorts in black, £42
4505 Icon short, £14

SPEAKING OF SHORTS, WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO HOT YOGA?

Hot yoga involves practising in a heated room, which boosts circulation and encourages fat burning. But with heat comes serious sweat – and even the most moisture-wicking leggings might struggle in those conditions. For the most comfort, we recommend quick-drying shorts, sports bras and yoga vests. The less fabric, the easier your body can regulate its temperature.

CAN I WEAR THE SAME OUTFIT FOR THE GYM AND YOGA?

Absolutely. In fact, investing in yoga clothing as all-purpose activewear is both time and money-efficient. If you’re a regular at the gym, you’ll appreciate the flexibility and durability of yoga clothing – it’s great for lifting weights and any dynamic exercises like squats. Breathable natural fibres are great for those long cardio sessions, too.