These are officially the best yoga clothes you can buy, according to yogis, coaches and fitness Editors
We've triangle posed our way through many different brands.
The best yoga clothes need to be many things: comfortable, stretchy, supportive, sweat-wicking and sturdy enough to keep up during all the different types of yoga. You need your yoga clothes to move with you during ashtanga yoga, not restricting your flow, while also staying in place to avoid distracting slips during meditative yoga for relaxation.
Your yoga kit will likely comprise of at least two basics: a good sports bra and some soft-but-supportive leggings. That said, given yoga is more low impact than, say, HIIT, you might think it doesn't really matter what you wear to practise. Think again: a 2021 Korean study reported that some yoga bra styles decrease blood flow by over 47%. Plus, lots of research suggests that how we dress impacts our psychology and in turn, our performance (hello, dopamine dressing).
As a Health and Fitness Editor, I've been testing workout clothes for years. I'm also a regular yogi, so know what's needed kit-wise to support you in your asanas. Over the years, I've found some brilliant yoga clothes that I recommend to friends, family, and, well, anyone who will listen - because good kit really does impact your workouts.
For this article, I also asked other Editors and some amazing yogis who practice day in, day out, for their go-to kit. Keep scrolling for recommendations from Ally Head, Senior Health Editor at Marie Claire UK, Alice Barraclough, Fitness and Nutrition Editor, Angie Tiwari, a yoga coach and founder of UNEARTHED, and Puravi Joshi, a yoga teacher and founder of Mysa London.
What we looked for when testing the best yoga clothes
- Fabrics: thermoregulation during yoga is important, as you can easily go from sweating through fast-paced flows one minute to lying still in Shavasana the next. There's no best material for this - it comes down to how intensely you're training, whether you're likely to sweat and how humid your location is. You also need stretchy fabrics and materials that you find comfortable, which is down to personal preference.
- Seams: some people like having visible seams on their kit as it makes them feel more hemmed in and controlled. But for yoga, seamless or few seems might actually be best as they're "designed to reduce clothing pressure on the skin and prevent discomfort", according to a 2023 review.
- Support: everyone needs a supportive sports bra when they're moving - especially when going upside down into a downward-facing dog and crow pose. Finding a bra that fits your bust will again be personal but there are now loads of adaptive and inclusive yoga bras on the market.
- Cost: let's be real - yoga clothes can be pricey. High-end yoga kit is often worth their price tag, as the innovations in the above category, as well as their style and cuts, mean you'll feel amazing and wear them off the mat as much as on it. But lower-priced point clothing doesn't mean it's bad at all - and there are brilliant bargains to be found.
16 best yoga clothes you can buy, according to top experts
The best Adanola yoga clothes
Adanola Ultimate Leggings
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "When I say the entire MC UK team are obsessed with these leggings, I'm not lying. They're immensely comfortable, flattering, and butter soft, too, so you can wear them for pretty much any workout," says Head. "Where other designs that are this comfortable don't sweat wick well, these do. Do be mindful that they can pile, though, if worn on uneven surfaces or washed on too high a heat."
Keen to shop for more designs from the brand? Check out our favourite Adanola bestsellers here.
Adanola Ultimate Tank Bra
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? Head wears this bra and legging combo from Adanola at least once a week, she says, rating how supportive it is for yoga flows. "I like the long length of the design, but also the shorter in-built bra that keeps you supported and comfortable throughout any sweat session," she shares. "Again, the material is soft and sweat wicks well. If you prefer, you can remove the padding, too."
FP Movement yoga clothes
FP Movement Nothing Better Bra
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "The Nothing Better line from FP Movement is seriously soft - I can only describe it as like buttery velvet. That said, it's not just comfortable - the strong underband means I feel well held in when lifting my arms over my head and doing inversions. I also love a racerback for extra support and a flattering neckline. The bra only goes up to an E-cup, which might restrict fuller-busted yogis," shares Gray.
FP Movement Nothing Better Leggings
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "At 5ft1, these leggings mean I have to do the tuck-and-roll to get them to a suitable leg length for me, but I'm willing to do that for the sheer comfort these bring. The flat seams make these leggings so incredibly comfy: there's no digging into the thigh or crotch area. And the compression level is perfect - no rolling down during flows and not digging in or taking my breath away with tightness. I could - and do - wear these all day," shares Gray.
Free People Simple Layer
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "If you're planning on doing yoga in just a strappy top or sports bra, sometimes you need a layer to chuck on over your kit and wear to the studio. This long-sleeve top from Free People's Movement range is the perfect solution – with super long arms and thumbholes on the wrists, relaxed drop-shoulder sleeves and wide boat neckline – I have been living in this top. I particularly love the cut-out back detail, so you can still see your cute sports bra underneath. The ideal top to throw on for shavasana. Namaste," shares Barraclough.
BAM yoga clothes
BAM Mallea Cross Back Vest
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "BAM is one of my go-to sustainable activewear brands," says Head. "I love that they're a certified B Corp, which means they're a business that's genuinely operating in a sustainable and planet-friendly way, plus the kit is seriously impressive. This tank is super soft, flattering, and supportive for any yoga flow, too."
The best Lululemon yoga clothes
lululemon Align Leggings
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "The leg length dilemmas are solved with these leggings that come in four different cuts, from 23" to 31". But that's honestly the least interesting thing about these leggings - they don't roll, compress without restricting and have a super high waistband that makes moving in them and sitting in them equally as comfortable," shares Gray.
"lululemon's buttery-soft Align leggings are a cult classic for a reason. Created by lululemon's research and development team Whitespace, the Align leggings are made from a weightless 'Nulu' fabric which offers a 'barely there' feeling – or, as some say, as close as you can get to going commando," shares Barraclough. "Since 2015, I've owned five different pairs (which I still wear now) of Align leggings. I wear them for yoga, yes, because they allow you to twist with total ease, but also to travel in and lounge in around the house – they're that comfortable."
lululemon align asymmetrical bra
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "The lululemon align asymmetrical bra offers a similarly gorgeous soft material as the Align leggings, offering sweat-wicking support through even the most upside down of inversions," shares Gray.
Wolvern yoga clothes
Wolvern Summit Crisscross Bra
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "This bra is made from 13.5 plastic bottles from the brand that's designed to make sustainability sexy, shares Tiwari. "I love that kit and that it's from a South Asian and female-owned brand. They do bold, amazing prints and all of their kit is really comfy."
Wolvern Zephyr Crossover Legging
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? These are also Tiwari's favourites - you need only scroll her Instagram to see she wears them on repeat to teach in. These leggings are supportive, sweat-wicking, and come in a gorgeous animal print, too.
Varley yoga clothes
Varley Let's Move Harris Bra
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "Varley is a luxe brand that actually feels luxe," says Joshi. "It fits like a second skin which is essential for the movement that yoga requires."
"Despite the naked feeling, the sturdy racer back and thick underband will hold you in. And this longline bra is also perfect for those that prefer a bit more coverage and support, while the cutouts give it an edge," shares Gray.
Varley Move High Rise Legging
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "In the same buttery-soft fabric comes the Move leggings. Featuring limited seams, these leggings are the best for that supported but not irritated feeling. Plus, anything with a hidden pocket gets bonus points from me," shares Gray.
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Bra and Leggings
Beyond Yoga Refocus Spacedye Bra
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
"Beyond Yoga's sports bras have a double layering which gives support and a really flattering silhouette," says Joshi. There's a reason this is its bestseller: just the right length to pair with high waist leggings for coverage when out and about while not too much bunching of material around the waist during practise.
Beyond Yoga Caught In The Midi Spacedye Leggings
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "You won't find a softer pair of leggings than these," says Joshi. "The leggings also have flattering cuts while being super supportive, without too much compression."
"I love that these leggings have been wear-tested on real bodies to better fit all shapes, so you can choose your true size for a perfect fit," shares Gray.
Alo yoga clothes
Alo Yoga Airlift Bra
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "This bra will see you through downward dogs, sweaty circuits and errand-running after class. It's such a staple: adjustable for the perfect fit, cross back for extra support and a comfortable underband that doesn't dig in but is sturdy enough to limit distractions during down dog," shares Gray.
Alo Yoga Airbrush Leggings
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What we thought when testing? "Another example of Alo being perfect for workout and rest days alike are these Airbrush leggings. With a soft, cotton-like feel, they're comfy enough to wear at your desk, during flows or in more intense workouts, and the gentle compression means you're held in without restriction," shares Gray.
Keen to shop the best Alo Yoga kit? Look no further.
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Chloe Gray is a freelance journalist who writes and talks about health, fitness, and wellbeing through a feminist lens. She was part of the launch team for Stylist magazine's fitness brand, Strong Women, and has written for i news, Women's Health, Red magazine, Good Housekeeping, Refinery29, and more. She's all about building mental and physical strength, eating delicious food that fuels you well, and making the fitness industry more accessible and enjoyable. She's also a qualified fitness trainer and research nerd, so you can be sure everything you read is backed by proper science.
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