I’ve (finally) managed to convince my boyfriend that yoga is “more than just stretching” (our power session is going to kick his butt) but we’re really struggling to find him some good yoga clothes for men. The boys really have it tough with this one.
What’s appropriate to wear in a studio? There’s loads of advice around here for women’s attire but not a whole lot of guidance for guys.
I’m thinking regular gym shorts might be too loose/revealing for inversions, but I’m not sure if compression shorts/tights would be weird or if that’s actually the norm and he’s wondering about going shirtless and maybe that’s on a per-studio basis.
Would love to hear what you all wear to practice - what’s worked/failed for you, and any specific brands/styles you’d recommend for comfort and functionality?
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For the love of god, avoid Temu. They have cool looking clothes but they’re awful for the heat and they fall apart after a few washes.
It might be a boring answer but Lulu does guys as well. They’re the go-to for a lot of women and guys have less choice, this might be the only real brand made for it.
And they have shorts:
I know some guys in my studio just wear whatever Nikes they have lying around but if he wants to take it seriously, this is probably the best quality. This and a good mat will last him for years.
I find that any comfortable clothing that allows me to move freely and breathe deeply works beautifully for my practice, though I do love my trusty Champion sweatpants for those cozy yin sessions.
Oh yeah, so if your boyfriend’s planning to go shirtless for yoga, which, you know, totally fine, just heads up that those mats can get super slick when you’re sweating, especially if you’re doing hot yoga. I’d definitely grab a towel to throw down on the mat, or maybe check out one of those mats with the extra grippy texture. Trust me, you don’t want anyone sliding around mid-pose.
Most studios welcome shirtless practice, especially during heated classes, but I’d suggest starting with a lightweight tank to gauge the vibe and comfort level first.
If he’s just getting started then whatever shorts he’s got is probably enough. Some guys use biker shorts (but again, gauge the studio or ask the teacher) and if he wants the support to start doing inversions etc… yeah, Lululemon is probably the best.
Omgggg yes, learned this the hard way when I wore my regular loose gym shirt to my first class and spent half of downward dog eating cotton fabric Now I alwaysss go for fitted shirts that hit right at the hip!
Also, maybe steer clear of those super lightweight running shorts. mine made a veryyy unfortunate ripping sound during warrior pose and I’ve neverrr switched to yoga-specific shorts faster lol
Okayyyy so nobody’s talking about the sweat factor here! Get him some moisture-wicking fabrics because cotton is gonna be sooooo heavy once he starts dripping in that power class. I learned this the harrrd way when my cotton shorts literally felt like wearing a wet towel halfway through hot yoga
The key for my practice was getting those 7-inch inseam shorts with the built-in compression liner, they give you the coverage of regular shorts but keep everything secure during inversions, so why didn’t anyone tell me about these sooner?
The compression liner underneath means you can move through crow pose or shoulder stand without worrying about exposure, and the outer shorts layer keeps things looking casual rather than too ‘athletic tight.’ Most guys in my studio wear these or similar styles, and going shirtless really depends on the vibe, some places embrace it while others prefer shirts, but isn’t it better to bring a tank and feel out the energy first?
Lulu’s Pace Breaker and prAna’s Super Mojo have been my go-tos for years now, and once your boyfriend tries proper yoga shorts he won’t go back.
Since we’re moving into cooler months , layers can be important for warmth at the start and end of practice. Maybe a long-sleeve moisture-wicking top or a lightweight hoodie :hoodie: for those chilly studio mornings or outdoor sessions .
From my experience, whatever gym clothes you already have will work beautifully for starting out! Don’t get ego or brands convince you (or him) otherwise.
Yoga has this lovely way of teaching us what we need as we go (both on and off the mat. As you flow through classes, you’ll naturally discover what feels most comfortable for your practice. Plus, there’s something inspiring about seeing how others in the community approach their practice wear. Trust that you’ll find your way to what serves you best.
The most important thing is just showing up as you are.
(Though as some previously said, showing up with a shirt is usually a good idea unless you know the studio is okay with it).
The Vuori Kore shorts have been a for my practice, they stay in place beautifully during crow pose and shoulder stands without being too restrictive for deeper hip openers like pigeon. Their liner gives just enough coverage for those moments in happy baby or plow pose where regular gym shorts would definitely fail you.
For your boyfriend’s first power class, these would work perfectly paired with a fitted tee to help him feel confident moving through sun salutations and warrior sequences without any wardrobe distractions.
When I first started bringing my husband to practice, he was so worried about what to wear until our instructor reminded us that yoga is about letting go of ego and judgment, just like in our spiritual process.
He’s been wearing regular 5-inch athletic shorts ever since and honestly, in a true yoga space where everyone’s focused on their own practice and growth, nobody cares what anyone else is wearing. The best studios feel like sanctuaries where you can just be yourself, whether that’s in fancy gear or basic gym clothes, it’s the intention and openness of heart that matters.
The transformation in my husband’s practice when he switched from baggy basketball shorts to proper yoga wear was funny. I’d been telling him to swap for ages and he just kept waving it off as a “brand name nonsense”.
Look at the professional male yogis. They layer their outfits for different parts of the practice. Like starting with a lightweight tank for warm-up then going shirtless for the intense flow portion.
I go for gym shorts that give my legs total freedom , you want something that flows with you through every asana without restricting your movement. I always check for that built-in liner too, especially helpful when we’re flipping upside down in inversions!
Stay away from those long basketball-style shorts though (a lot of guys default to them), they really get in the way of your practice Some fellow yogis rock compression shorts solo or layer regular shorts on top, whatever makes you feel comfortable on your mat.
For the upper body, I stick with moisture-wicking tees, the same breathable fabrics I’d wear for any workout. While tank tops aren’t super common in class, I’ve spotted some sleeveless options here and there Most practitioners keep it simple with regular t-shirts. Pro tip: skip the super loose fits since they’ll fall right over your face during downward dog or shoulder stands! The vibe tends to be pretty mellow, you don’t see tons of graphic tees or statement shirts (like sports teams or slogans), but honestly, wear what makes you feel good!
Your practice is about you at the end of the day. Not the brand you’re wearing.
A well-fitted, hip-length top will be your best friend during inversions and downward-facing dog, keeping your practice flow uninterrupted and letting you focus on your breath rather than adjusting your clothing.
Actually, I’d challenge that perspective - compression shorts can be surprisingly beneficial even in restorative and yin yoga practices. Is it just power sessions he wants to do?
Gentle, consistent support can help your boyfriend maintain better body awareness during those long-held poses, which is vital for the meditative aspects of these slower practices. Rather than being a distraction, that subtle compression can serve as a constant reminder of the body’s presence in space, enhancing the mind-body connection that’s so important to yin work.
Plus, the security they offer means less mental energy spent worrying about coverage or adjustment, allowing for deeper surrender into each posture and more profound spiritual exploration.
My boyfriend actually started wearing these technical fabric leggings specifically designed for men’s yoga practice and wow, the difference in his confidence during inversions compared to when he was worried about his gym shorts riding up is amazing.
It’s not just about the brand or the style. How he feels (and how little he has to worry about this clothing) do make an impact on your practice.
for women’s attire but not a whole lot of guidance for guys.
, layers can be important for warmth 
at the start and end of practice. Maybe a long-sleeve moisture-wicking top 
or a lightweight hoodie :hoodie: for those chilly studio mornings 
or outdoor sessions 
.