While leggings remain a staple for yoga bottoms, finding the perfect top to complement them can often cause confusion. Contrary to popular Instagram images of yogis in sports bras, the majority of yoga students show up for live classes in the comfort and coverage of a shirt. With countless styles, fabrics, and lengths available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Let’s explore the best yoga tops for different styles and help you find the perfect match for your practice.
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👉 Pros of wearing yoga tops
1. Real-life yogis wear shirts
2. Tops provide extra warmth
3. Shirts allow a modest look
4. Comfy attire lets you focus on the class
5. Extra layers provide protection
👉 Choose a yoga top
1. Wear breathable tops to Hot Yoga
2. Stick to athletic cuts for Power and Vinyasa Yoga
3. Avoid loose-fitting tops for Iyengar practice
4. Wear casual cotton tops for Hatha Yoga
5. Choose comfort tops for Yin and Restorative classes
👉 Explore more affordable yoga tops
A yoga top over a sports bra. Yes or no?
Yes, if you want to. No if you don’t. Unless you’re doing hot yoga or practicing out in the sun, there are really no drawbacks to practicing yoga while wearing a shirt. In fact, it can help you feel more comfortable at your next yoga class. Regardless if you’re a teacher or a complete newbie.
1. Real-life yogis wear shirts too
When you go to real-life yoga class, you may be surprised to learn that instead of the sports bras yogis made popular by Instagram, the reality is that most yoga studios are filled with students comfortably wearing shirts. In fact, some studios don’t allow attending yoga classes wearing only sports bras.
2. Tops provide extra warmth
If you’ve ever landed on a cold mat while wearing only a yoga bra, you know that you wished you had a shirt on right then and there. A shirt in general is a great choice as it provides additional warmth in cooler studios or for those who tend to feel cold. For slower-paced yoga styles like Yin or Restorative, a shirt can offer essential warmth. I sometimes even consider taking a long sleeve top or jacket to go over my t-shirt or short sleeve top if I was to attend a slower class.
3. Shirts allow a modest look
If you prefer more coverage, a longer shirt or tank can be your best choice for yoga. Consider wearing a fitted top for more active classes as while being close to your body it won’t roll over your head every time you practice Downward Facing Dog.
4. Comfy attire let you focus on the class
While we should celebrate all bodies, it’s natural to feel self-conscious at times. Focusing on how our body looks in revealing outfits can hinder our yoga practice. You might avoid certain poses or tense up, which takes away all the benefits of doing yoga. If body image concerns affect your practice, consider adding an extra layer over your sports bra so you can focus on practice wholeheartedly.
5. Extra layers provide protection
Mat friction might sound like a small detail, but it can significantly impact your yoga experience. This is especially important for those with sensitive skin. While a grippy mat is perfect for holding your hands in place during a downward dog, it may not feel great on your skin as you slide through to Cobra from Ashtanga Namaskar. A yoga shirt can act as a barrier between your skin and the mat, reducing the risk of skin irritation.
How to choose a yoga top?
While yoga shouldn’t be about what you wear, there are still some things you should consider to ensure your attire doesn’t distract you from the practice. Choosing the right yoga top depends on several factors, including studio temperature, yoga style, and personal preference. Let’s explore different yoga styles and where to shop tops for each.
1. Wear breathable tops to Hot Yoga
Hot yoga classes are typically in studios heated to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40°C). For this class, you can just stick to a sports bra or cover it with tiny tank tops and cropped tops that allow maximum airflow. Lightweight, breathable fabrics from moisture-wicking materials are a top choice. A lot of sports clothing is made from a mixture of polyester and spandex, bamboo is a newer material on the market. But the main thing you must check is that the fabric absorbs moisture and dries quickly.
Where to shop for Hot Yoga tops?
With the practice becoming increasingly popular as a type of workout, you will see a lot of brands introduce specific yoga lines. In fact, Nike offers a DRI-FIT range, designed with hot yoga in mind. Expect to pay around $60 for these tops, though sales can offer better deals.
Many yogis swear by lululemon’s sweat-wicking styles. While the brand offers a dedicated yoga line, their high-intensity workout tops are also excellent options for hot yoga. Explore their full range for tops suitable for various yoga styles. Prices typically start around $60.
2. Stick to athletic cuts for Power and Vinyasa Yoga
Whether it is called Power Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga, you’re looking at an intensive physical practice with dynamic flows in each case. For more intense practices, you may end up back in your sports bra at some point. But should you want to stay in your shirt throughout the class, look for breathable fabrics like cotton, bamboo, or moisture-wicking blends. Tank tops, crop tops, or fitted t-shirts are versatile options. Look for styles that stay in place during inversions.
Where to shop for Power and Vinyasa Yoga tops?
In addition to the lululemon yoga range, you can check out Manduka tops. Some of their tops seem especially ideal for flowy practices. Born from a yoga mat brand, the company has evolved into a whole yoga community focused on ethical production, also selling apparel.
Another brand that yogis mention is ZYIA Active. It is a premium activewear apparel collection and lifestyle brand. As you can sense from the brand’s name, their ranges are perfect for enabling a range of motion-a must in active yoga styles. Prices are generally more affordable than some other brands, with tops starting around $35.
Athleta by Gap is another popular choice and you’ll find perfect tops there for both hot yoga and power practice. Some of their tops start at $45 and that’s before sale, so you can hope for a bargain during the sale season.
3. Avoid loose-fitting tops for Iyengar practice
Although the sequences flow slower and the room temperatures are not set to particular standard, you will still get not only your work in but workout too. However, you don’t have to show up in athletic wear to these classes. While this means you should opt for lightweight materials, a fitted tank, crop top or a t-shirt will be a great choice. Loose shirts might interfere with props that are always present at Iyengar Yoga practice.
Where to shop for Iyengar Yoga tops?
In addition to all the yoga shirt options covered above, you can check out Alo Yoga tops. For Iyengar, explore tops that are more snug. Again, you can expect to pay around $60 dollars per top.
4. Wear casual cotton tops for Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is an umbrella term encompassing various traditional yoga styles. Class intensity and clothing preferences can vary, so always check with the instructor. Generally, Hatha yoga is slower-paced and holds poses longer than Vinyasa. Comfortable, breathable tops that allow for movement are ideal. Still avoid very loose tops as they will still provide struggle in positions where the head is downwards.
Where to shop for Hatha Yoga tops?
Most of the mentioned stores offer basic t-shirt options. For a touch of inspiration, consider Mantra Staples. This brand specializes in mindfulness tops featuring motivational sayings, affirmations and mantras. Their cotton designs are perfect for Hatha, Yin, and Restorative yoga. Enjoy both comfort and style on and off the mat with their inspiring tops, typically priced around $30.
5. Choose comfort tops for Yin and Restorative classes
Although there are significant differences between Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga styles, both are passive styles involving long holds in seated and lying poses. Prioritize comfort and warmth when choosing attire. Loose-fitting clothing is ideal for relaxation in these practices.
Where to shop for yin and restorative yoga tops?
You can shop inspirational or fun t-shirts with sayings from brands like Mantra Staples. This time, buy them a few sizes up for oversized fit. Depending on the studio temperature, you may even take an oversized jumper, blankets and shawls with you for extra coziness.
Another store that offers cool yoga tops, perfect for slower yoga practices and meditation is Spiritual Gangster. There you'll find sweatshirts and other long sleeve tops perfect for slow yoga classes. While long sleeves do come around $100 in their store, I've spotted some awesome deals that can cut the price down even to $40 dollars when a sale is on.
Finding more affordable yoga tops
If you're just starting your yoga journey and don't want to invest heavily in specific yoga brands, there are affordable options available.
1. Explore high street stores for yoga ranges
As yoga's popularity grows, many high-street retailers offer yoga wear lines. These may be more affordable options and can be a great fit for starting out. For starters, you can explore H&M's yoga range.
2. Get bargain yoga tops on Amazon
Amazon offers fast delivery and has a lot of bestsellers in their yoga shirts section. You can explore what works for the yoga style you're after and choose a shirt from there. I even spotted a 5-pack of fast drying yoga tops for $30 dollars.
3. Wear what you've got or go to a thrift store
Let's not overthink it (although this blog probably is an example of overthinking). Explore your closet for comfortable options that allow unrestricted movement. If necessary, discover unique and affordable pieces at thrift stores. Remember, Yoga is a diverse practice with a rich history predating modern athletic wear.
While sports bras have become synonymous with yoga attire in social media, many practitioners find that a comfortable shirt is equally suitable, if not preferable. Different practices demand varying levels of support and coverage. Remember, yoga is a journey of body and mind connection. Choose a top that empowers you to fully immerse yourself in your practice. Ultimately, confidence and comfort are key.
Do you typically wear a top over your sports bra for yoga? Share your favorite styles and brands in the comments!
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