What to wear to yoga: an Auckland-specific guide

The short answer: stretchy, mid-coverage workout clothes. The longer answer depends on the style of yoga, the temperature of the room and your personal preference.

The general rule

You want clothes that move with you. Not too loose (loose tops fall over your face in downward dog and forward folds). Not too tight (you should be able to breathe deeply without anything restricting your abdomen). Mid-rise to high-rise bottoms stay where they should. Sports bras are standard for most women practitioners.

Avoid heavy cotton for hot yoga; it gets heavy when wet and stays wet. Lightweight synthetic blends, or natural fibres designed for movement (bamboo, Tencel), are better.

By style

Regular yoga (Hatha, Flow, Vinyasa, Slow Flow)

A sports bra and leggings, or a fitted tank and leggings. Mid-rise. Choose what you would wear to a regular gym class. The room is room temperature, you will warm up but not sweat heavily.

Hot yoga (Bikram, Hot Hatha, Hot HIIT Pilates)

Less is more. Most regular hot yoga practitioners wear short tights and a sports bra (women) or short tights and no top (men). The heat is significant and the sweat is constant. Synthetic fabrics work better than cotton. Bring a towel for your mat. Many people wear less than they would expect to once they have done a few classes.

Yin and Restorative

Layers. The room is cooler than a vinyasa room and you will be on the floor not moving for an hour. Long-sleeve top, leggings, socks, a jumper for savasana. Studios usually provide blankets.

Reformer pilates

Form-fitting and grippy. Loose clothing gets caught in the reformer carriage. Most studios require grip socks (toe-grip socks with rubber soles). Mid-rise leggings and a fitted top are standard.

Brands available in Auckland

Lululemon has stores at 67 Queen Street, Sylvia Park, Newmarket and Britomart. The Align leggings are the most-recommended yoga pant in the world for a reason. Pricey but durable.

Lorna Jane has stores at Britomart, Newmarket and Albany. Solid mid-range pricing.

Nimble Activewear is an Australian brand widely available in NZ. Great for the everyday-yoga-and-walking-the-dog crossover.

Embodyme is a Kiwi brand. Beautiful, slightly pricier, built to last.

Anew NZ is a small Auckland brand with a focus on natural materials and ethical production.

Allbirds for the walk in. The Tree Runners are the universal yoga commute shoe.

Cotton On Body for the value end. Will not last as long but does the job.

Icebreaker for cold-weather over-layers. The merino base layers are the best winter yoga jumper option.

What about second-hand?

Activewear holds up well second-hand. Trade Me, Designer Wardrobe NZ and Auckland-based pre-loved Instagram accounts like @presloved_nz are good sources. A lightly used Lululemon Align is half the price.

A starter kit

If you are starting from zero, the minimum viable yoga wardrobe is:

Two pairs of mid-rise leggings (one black, one fun)
Two sports bras (different support levels)
Two fitted tanks or tees
One pair of grip socks (if you plan to do reformer pilates)
A small sports towel
A water bottle

Total cost from $100 (Cotton On Body, Trade Me) to $400 (Lululemon, Embodyme).

FAQ

What is the best yoga pant? Lululemon Align is the most widely recommended. Embodyme is the Kiwi alternative if you want to support local. Cotton On Body is the budget option.

Do I need to wear matching activewear to yoga? No. Matching is a marketing convention, not a practice convention. Wear what works.

Can I do yoga in pyjamas? You can. You will probably be more comfortable in workout clothes, but no studio will turn you away for being in a loose t-shirt and pyjama bottoms.

Do I need grip socks for yoga? Not for mat yoga. You practise barefoot. Grip socks are for reformer pilates and barre.