Choose Yoga Pants

Yoga pants are a popular choice of casual dress. You can choose from a variety of styles, cuts, and patterns all based on where you want to wear them. Deciding exactly which pair to purchase can be a chore if you are unfamiliar with yoga pants. It is a good idea to know your purpose in wearing them before choosing a pair. Once you know where you will be wearing them, then you will be able to properly evaluate your selection and find the perfect pair of yoga pants.

Steps

Choosing Yoga Pants for Yoga

1. Determine the general style you prefer. Yoga pants come in a variety of general yoga pants styles. Within those styles, you can find variations. Capris pants, for example, generally have a shorter leg. Drawstring typically use a string, rather than elastic, to secure the waist. Pick a general style to start with and begin evaluating the aspects you like and dislike.
   • Picking a style should not be considered a definitive choice. This is just a starting point. You may choose a style of yoga pants similar to what you are already used to seeing or using. As you evaluate the characteristics, you should allow your choice to change as you become better acquainted with the pros and cons of each pair.
2. Decide on the length you want. Length is a matter of both comfort and function. Yoga pants generally come in two lengths, full length or capris. Capris pants end at your calf muscle. Full-length stop at your ankle. Full-length pants that are tight may bunch at the ankle if only a little too long. Capris pants typically do not bunch but may be too tight on your thigh if not stretchy enough.
3. Choose your type of stretch. Yoga pants are popular for use during yoga and other activities because of their comfort. This comfort is created when the fabric used incorporates stretchy threads or knits. Most fabrics have a natural 2-way stretch. Pants with a 4-way stretch will be more comfortable. However, if you prefer baggy or loose fitting yoga pants, a 2-ways stretch may work just fine.
4. Pick a waist you like. You can find a variety of waist types to choose from in yoga pants. Some sit higher on your waist than others. Some incorporate a drawstring while others use elastic bands. Perform a range of motions while trying on a new pair of yoga pants. You should be able to sit on the ground and lean forward to touch your toes or ankles without excessive strain at the waistline.
   • Some waists will rise during use. You can avoid this problem the pants as high as they will go (i.e., tight to the crotch area) and assess the waistline there. If the waist is too high, either purchase a different pair or fold the top down to overlap waist.
   • Drawstring knots can be uncomfortable during many yoga positions. Elastic waists are generally preferred for that reason.
5. Determine the best fabric for you. Your style of yoga will have an impact on what type of fabric you want to use. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, tend to breathe better than cotton fabrics but may pill faster. Cotton fabrics will absorb moisture, but they will help keep your body warmer during less intense yoga classes.
   • Over time, all fabrics will wear with friction. The formation of pills--tiny knots of loose fibers--occurs in both cotton and synthetic fabrics. However, pilling is typically more pronounced in synthetic fabrics since small plastic fibers can anchor pills more than cotton fibers.
6. Pick a color that suits you. You can find a variety of colors and patterns for your yoga pants. Depending on the amount of sweating and fabric you choose, you may need to consider sweat patches. Light colored cotton and poly-cotton (e.g., heather colors) clothes tend to show sweat spots so darker cotton and poly-cotton fabrics may be preferable. With Synthetic materials, you can pick about any color you'd be comfortable with.

Choosing Yoga Pants for Non-Yoga Athletics

1. Decide on the nature of your activity. To pick the right pair of yoga pants you must first decide where you will be wearing them. You can choose to use yoga pants for any activity from weight lifting to running. The nature of your activity will put different strains on your pants. Will you be doing minimal movement (e.g., running or hiking)? Will you need full range of motion (e.g., weight lifting)?
2. Pick a material that will not hinder your movement or comfort. Synthetic materials will breathe better during sweaty activities. Loose cotton materials will keep you warm in the cold. Consider tight fitting, synthetic fiber pants when running in the heat. Loose cotton pants may work well when weight lifting for your upper body, but stretchy synthetic pants may be better when working your lower body.
   • You may also want to consider durability in your choice of fabric. Some yoga pants are stretchy but thin and prone to wear if worn for running. Some yoga pants designed for running are less stretchy because they are thicker thereby increasing the longevity of the pants.
3. Choose a compression appropriate for your activity. If you are a runner or biker, you may prefer higher compression yoga pants compared to someone who speed walks. Compression can be used to highlight the shape of your legs or to attempt to enhance performance. It can also make pants feasible for bikers who can't afford to get a loose pant leg stuck in a gear. In general, this is a matter of your preference so try different levels of compression to see what works best for you.
   • Be careful when assessing the compression of a pair of yoga pants. A lot of compression may be a sign they simply do not fit. If your pants are so tight you can barely move or you can see your underwear then they are too tight.
4. Determine what waist will work best for you. Many yoga pant waists are optimized for minimalism. Simply an elastic band within already stretchy material. You may opt instead for a drawstring instead to hold up looser fitting pants. A pocket for your ID or keys is also a good idea for people running or biking outdoors. Be sure to pick a waist that is comfortable during your chosen activity.
5. Choose a pattern or color balancing your needs and desires. If you are working hard, you may want a darker color to hid any sweat. If you like to draw attention, bright colors will do the trick. Many athletic yoga pants will include patches of material woven together to provide breathability and stretch in certain locations. Make sure that the seams and unique characteristics do not interfere with any repetitive motions.

Choosing Yoga Pants for Everyday Dress

1. Establish the level of formality you wish to achieve. Although you may be able to wear your yoga pants to the office, you must consider how they mimic other clothing to be successful. In general, the more your yoga pants resemble dress slacks the better your chances. This doesn't mean they have to look drab. Just opt for a looser fit and hem for more formal activities.
   • To be safe, consider your yoga pants as a replacement for blue jeans. In other words, if blue jeans would be too informal, avoid yoga pants. As your yoga pants resemble dressier slacks, the rule is less clear.
   • Some companies make yoga pants expressly to look like dress slacks.
2. Find a color or pattern you love. If you are wearing your yoga pants for everyday casual wear, the sky's the limit. You can pick any color or pattern that you feel comfortable with. Pretty much anything goes with yoga pants.
   • Be cautious wearing odd looking yoga pants to the office. Stick with solid colors such as you would find in any dress pants section. Blacks, browns, and grays are generally safe choices.
3. Pick a fabric that you find comfortable. This will largely depend on what you are doing and the temperature of the venue. If you are doing something rigorous or in warm weather you may want to consider a synthetic fabric that breaths when you sweat. If you are wearing them indoors or where it may be cold, a thicker cotton pair may be more appealing. Different fabrics are also stretchier. Try fabrics with a 4-way stretch for increased comfort instead of fabrics with only a 2-way stretch.
4. Decide on any crossover activities. Some people wear yoga pants simply as a replacement for other casual clothing. Others wear yoga pants so they don't need to change clothes before or after a workout. If you are one of the latter type of people, you would want to consider the type of physical activity when choosing your dress. Try picking a pair of yoga pants that will functionally work well with your activity, and choose a color or style that will fit your casual attire.
5. Pick pants that match the rest of your wardrobe. Choosing yoga pants for your normal attire cannot be done well without considering your other clothing. Depending on who you base your fashion decisions on you may be pressed with many options. Patterns may be fashionable by some standards and grossly tacky by others. As a reliable friend to be the judge in these scenarios if you have questions as the matching and pairings are based solely on popular opinion.

Tips

• The more you wear your yoga pants, the more comfortable you'll feel in them. So if you start out self-conscious, don't just ditch them, because chances are they'll grow on you after a couple of weeks.
• Avoid wearing yoga pants to important or formal events. They're fine for weekends at home and the occasional lazy school day, but if you're going to a wedding, a business meeting, or even a first date you should leave the yoga pants at home.
• Yoga pants, like most clothes, vary greatly in price. Price, furthermore, is not a perfect indicator of quality. If you are just getting into yoga pants, don't spend $100 or more on a pair of yoga pants you may only wear once. You will find high quality yoga pants in other places for much less. Just be sure they aren't transparent when bending over.

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Sources and Citations

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