If we’re being honest, traditionally, yoga hasn’t been the coolest or manliest activity for your Sunday morning and we can’t imagine a downward dog will feel all that fantastic, especially when you’re hungover. Not to mention, it probably isn’t going to burn off those six pints and kebab you pumped just hours ago.
Whilst yoga is by no means going to cure your insatiable appetite for cervezas, there are a whole host of benefits including improved flexibility, posture, strength, sleep quality, focus, cardiovascular health and reduced stress and anxiety. These benefits are becoming increasingly important to men and yoga might be one of the best ways to get all those benefits in one hit. Yoga is also a great way to meet women.
Whatever your reason for donning the lycra, one of the most important aspects of yoga is what pants and tops you wear. After all: there really isn’t any point in doing the damn thing if people don’t know you’re doing it. Right? And no: your torn Crossfit shorts aren’t going to cut it. So listen up and look out for these yoga pants and tops brands that will help you take your yoga abilities (and flexible Instagram following) to the next level.
How To Wear Yoga Clothes
When it comes to yoga and dress rules, there aren’t many besides comfort, suitability and flexibility. What we mean is that there are different forms of yoga that demand different types of yoga clothes.
Flexibility
Flexibility is a requisite across the board for yoga pants, shorts and tops so make sure they’re roomy enough for you to pull off your death-defying poses in.
Fitment
The general rule for standard yoga is not too tight, not too loose. For hot yoga, however, the rules change. It’s all about skin-tight gear, singlets and short tights.
Breathability
Look for fabrics which are made to be breathable. There are polyester fabrics out there these days which cater to this with their dry fit technology. Just don’t go standard polyester as you’ll be sweating balls and stinking up your gym gear.
Colours
You’re the yogi so colours are open to personal preference. We suggest you don’t go full Richard Simmons in 2019, though.
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Lululemon
When it comes to yoga gear, Lululemon is the brand to have. Originating in Canada, their clothing is especially designed for yoga users. The brand has since evolved to provide a more wholistic activewear range, but their collection still includes a great range of yoga specific gear that is ultra stylish and functional.
Rhone
Rhone was originally a small start-up company that has grown and grown into one of the best respected mens activewear brands in the business. Known for their high quality construction and fabrics, Rhone's clothing performs as good as it looks.
Patagonia
Originally a producer of some of the worlds finest outerwear and adventure clothing, Patagonia makes a host of super comfortable, stylish and ethical activewear that will enable you to take your yoga game to the next level.
Alo Yoga
Much like Lululemon, Alo Yoga is a brand that holds yoga at it's heart. They aim to offer clothing that will not restrict the wearer, not matter what they're doing. With supreme comfort and a modern look, Alo Yoga is well worth a look.
Manduka
Manduka offers one thing and one thing only, yoga gear. This focus on providing the best product, just for yoga has made them one the best brands in the game. All of their gear is designed by yogis to ensure the products are capable of performing to the highest standards.
Vuori
If you're sick of rocking plain, boring activewear, Vuori might be the brand for you. They offer a range of functional activewear that is available in a multitude of different colours, patterns and styles to help you stand out from the crowd.
Nike
Nike is a company that needs no introduction, they make quality products that both good great and perform well. Their years of experience with elite athletes and innate desire to innovate enables them to offer some of the best performing products to the public.
prAna
prAna offers sustainably made yoga products for those who are environment conscious, but don't want to sacrifice on style. They use ethically sourced cotton, recycled plastic, responsible down and are constructed with fair trade certified labour.
Spiritual Gangsta
Started by one Ian Lopatin in Los Angeles, Spiritual Gangster hopes to make yoga more American. The founder, Ian Lapotin teaches various hip-hop inspired yoga classes around the country in an attempt to get people active. The oxymoronic name, is also reflected in the designs of the clothing that offer clean silhouettes with a range of plain and unique patterns and colours.
Adidas
Sporting giant Adidas has extensive clothing ranges for all manner of disciplines, but you may be surprised to learn that include yoga. While some items of clothing can be used across multiple sports, several items within the yoga collection offer enhanced sweat-wicking fabrics that are cut loose and relaxed to allow for optimum flexibility, ideal when you find yourself in the downward dog.
Outdoor Voices
Outdoor Voices is an American company founded in 2013 that puts a strong emphasis on being a supportive brand for those who simply "turn up" to keep themselves active. Its products are made to be as sustainable as possible, lasting you for many years to avoid them being thrown out to landfill and is focusing more and more on ethically-sourced fabrics. It doesn't strictly advertise that its clothing is yoga-orientated, but with a range of breathable tops and bottoms, they certainly lend themselves to assisting you with your poses.
