What to wear to yoga

On the mat, the noise fades. Breath steadies, energy builds and strength rises from within. It’s just you and the pose. Until a shirt slips, or a waistband loosens. 

Now, imagine that moment without distraction. Just focus. The right yoga outfit supports you from the first inhale to Savasana, bringing ease, clarity and support. 

Giulia Castellani, an On ambassador and yoga instructor, prioritizes comfort, freedom of movement, and a fresh, breathable feel. “Like a second skin,” she says. “But never anything too tight or that needs constant adjusting, as that only distracts me from the practice.” 

Whether you’re a seasoned yoga instructor like her, or new to the mat, this guide helps you find supportive yoga pieces designed to keep you fully present.

The right pieces stay comfortable and secure throughout your session, pose after pose. 

For Jane Kim, another On ambassador and Berlin-based yoga and meditation instructor, what she wears is part of her flow. “If I’m feeling low on motivation, the right outfits help me get in the mood,” she says. 

Look for clothing that:  

- Keeps you cool with breathable fabrics - Wicks moisture with technology like DryTec™ - Stretches with you, without getting in the way

Best tops for yoga

A form-fitting top stays in place through Downward Dog, inversions and twists, so you can focus on your breath and less on your clothes. 

Choose from moisture-wicking DryTec™ styles for heated Vinyasa flows or ultra-soft options like our Studio Crop for slow, grounding sequences.

Flexible bottoms for every pose

From deep lunges in Warrior II to seated folds, your body moves in all directions during yoga. That’s why flexible, yet secure bottoms matter. “You have to understand what type of support your body needs,” says Kendall Baisden, an American sprinter, who reaches for the movement 3/4 tights. “The compression of the tights helps me feel where I'm cueing movements from.”

Castellani, who’s stretching more than sprinting, always chooses “high-waisted leggings" because “they stay perfectly in place around my hips and belly” to avoid distractions. 

Look for lightweight, breathable fabrics for women’s and men’s tights – like performance polyester blends – that offer freedom of movement while keeping you snug.

Sports bras that stay put

In yoga, stability matters. A well-fitted sports bra should offer support without gaping, digging or shifting.  

Low- and medium-impact sports bras like our Studio Bra, allow for ease through poses like Camel or Wild Thing (Camatkarasana), where chest expansion and mobility are key. 

Baisden loves to wear the Movement bra when sprinting. “I like my arms to be out, and to feel less restricted in my torso. Having that feeling of freedom is very important to extend through my neck or my arms, and if I'm trying to curve my back I don’t want anything restricting.” 

For more dynamic practices or added coverage, high-impact styles offer secure support, without restricting movement. Each sports bra design is built to stay in place through every stretch, bind and bend.

Lightweight layers before and after 

When the room cools or your body settles into stillness, a soft layer can make all the difference. Bring along a sweatshirt for Savasana to stay warm and comfortable.  

Yoga doesn’t ask for much besides your presence. But a few thoughtful additions can bring you more comfort and focus during class. For Kim, it starts simple: “My water bottle, scrunchie and an intention.” 

A quality yoga mat or towel offers a stable base for standing balances and seated postures. Hair ties or a headband keep your line of sight clear in inversions or twists.

A water bottle, like Kim’s, helps you stay hydrated before and after class — especially in hot yoga. Keep it simple and organized with a lightweight bag. And remember, no socks.

There are more than 30 styles of yoga, each with its own pace, rhythm and intention. What you wear can shift depending on the practice, the temperature, and how your body responds.

For slower-paced yoga

In practices like Hatha or Yin, where postures are held and breath is the focus, softness matters. Castellani loves to layer up with oversized, cozy pieces that “make me feel cocooned, grounded, and completely comforted.” 

Try the stretchy Focus Crop or Focus Pants for fabric that feels easy against the skin while still supporting stillness and sustained holds.

For dynamic yoga

Styles like Ashtanga and Vinyasa build heat through structured sequences and continuous movement. Castellani likes wearing clothes that let her move freely and flow however her body needs. “Shorts and a sports bra are a must, and long leggings are a definite no,” she says, about Vinyasa.

Clothing should stay close to the body, offering support and steadiness through transitions. The Train Tights and Pace Long-T are lightweight, breathable options made for mobility and precise holds.

For more active practices, Jane Kim prioritizes practicality and functionality. “I love wearing the Studio Crop and ½ Train Tights combo,” she says, which is made to wick moisture and keep you dry.

For hot yoga 

Practiced in heated rooms, hot yoga challenges stamina and encourages deep release through moisture and breath. In rooms between 90 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit, breathability and moisture management are essential. Castellani keeps it simple: “for hot yoga, the less, the better”.

Look for lightweight, quick-drying pieces like the Performance Tank AOP and the Performance Tight that’s built to feel light, even as the temperature rises.

Every pose is a chance to reset. The right clothing helps you stay with the breath, the stretch, the moment, without needing adjustment.

Baisden gravitates towards versatile yoga pieces. “I look for clothes that can be worn in many ways. A workout basic, but also a stylistic basic.”

Similarly, Kim chooses outfits that she can wear every day. “I love the feeling that I can quickly get active whenever I want, like spontaneously participating in a class in my yoga essentials.”

And for Castellani, her outfits remind her of where she started. “Bamboo cotton straight leg pants and soft support bamboo cotton sports bra,” she says. “Very specific I know, but I lived in those in Bali during my yoga teacher training.”

Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it’s movement-friendly and supports your body as you stretch from a salutation to Savasana.