How to Choose a Yoga Top for Women in the UK – Buying Guide
If you want to pick a yoga top that suits your body and the kind of sessions you enjoy, take a look at our checklist of the most important factors to consider before you buy. That way you’ll be able to invest in yoga clothing that really meets your needs and serves you well over the years.
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Pick the Style of Top Based on Your Comfort Preferences, Yoga Style and the Time of Year
Picking your ideal sleeve length and top style is the first thing to think about on your hunt for a new yoga top. Each variety has pros and cons, depending on the type of yoga you practice and the way your body works. Spare a second to consider what you prioritise in order to pick the best item.
Yoga Tops With Long Sleeves Are Great for Colder Seasons or Staying Covered Up
Long-sleeved tops are great for early-morning yoga at colder times of year, or even for outdoor sessions when there might be a breeze. They’re also a good choice all year round if you like to keep your body covered.
The downside may be that if you practice intense yoga types like Ashtanga and Bikram, longer sleeves are more likely to show sweat patches and may leave you feeling hotter overall.
T-Shirts Strike a Balance Between Coverage and Ease of Movement
T-shirts are a comfortable option too, as they keep the tops of your arms covered while leaving you free to stretch and flex. A top pick for anyone who likes to keep their shoulders covered, whether that’s for a little extra warmth, sun-protection in warmer months, or simply the fact that a vest or plain sports bra feel too revealing.
Vests and Sports Bras Give the Best Freedom of Movement and Keep You Cool Too
Third on our list of sleeve-lengths is the vest. This provides you with the most freedom of movement in the arms, and lets you enjoy your yoga session without extra fabric getting in the way.
You may choose a loose-fitting vest which lets in plenty of air, or a tighter sports-bra style yoga top which provides excellent support for your bust as you move. The choice really is yours depending on your body shape and needs.
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Yoga Tops With a Built-In Bra Provide Hidden Support for Your Bust During Intense Classes
A comfy and practical way to give your chest some support while you practice yoga is to buy a yoga top with a built-in bra. This way you can simply throw on one top and head off to yoga class without the extra heat and potential discomfort of a separate bra. Many yoga tops come with a soft, shaped bra inside, which is both easy to move in and extremely supportive.
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Make the Most of Your Yoga Class by Picking Fabrics According to Your Physical Needs and Ethics
In order to feel the most comfortable while practising yoga, keep an eye on the label of your clothing so you can be sure to pick a fabric suited to a work-out.
Choose Moisture-Wicking Fabric if You Tend to Work Up a Sweat
Two popular activewear fabrics are polyster and polyamide, both of which are polymers, meaning the fibers are formed from molecules linked together in a long chain. Polyamide is actually more commonly known as nylon. It is strong and durable, resistant to moisture and tears and more comfortable and flexible overall than polyester.
Polyester does not absorb moisture, rather wicking sweat away from the skin, but it does have a tendency to hold on to odour longer than other fabrics. While it isn’t as stretchy as polyamide, it doesn’t bobble as much so will look newer for longer even after several washes. Chinlon (a play on the words China and London) is a variant of Nylon which is smooth and fine but may crease easily.
Other sportswear fabrics include spandex and elastane – both names for the same super-stretchy fiber which will wick moisture away from the skin and stretch impressively with your movements. You’ll also find tops on our list made with modal, an extremely soft, breathable fabric made from beech tree bark.
Some Sports Brands Use Recycled Fabric Which Helps You Help the Planet
It’s always good to look out for ethical clothing brands when you can, so keep an eye out for recycled and re-purposed fabrics when choosing a yoga top. These will usually have a much lower carbon footprint and while they may cost more, they help you make a small gesture to the planet.
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Long-Sleeved Tops With a Thumb-Hole Help Keep Sleeves in Place With No Slipping
If you prefer longer-sleeved yoga tops, it may be worth considering one with thumb-holes so your sleeves are held in place even when reaching up for certain poses. This can help you stay focused and will cover your body comfortably while you enjoy a relaxing yoga routine un-distracted.
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Consider Colours: Dark Colours Disguise Sweat, Grey Can Show it, Bright Patterns Get You Motivated
While colour might seem like a fun afterthought as you choose a yoga top, there are a few good things to remember, such as which ones disguise sweat and how to get pumped for a big yoga class. Remember that black and navy yoga tops hide sweat patches the best, while grey and light blue tend to highlight any stains that might appear during a serious workout session.
If you sometimes struggle to leap out of bed for early morning yoga, a top with a pattern you love or a bold, vibrant colour can be a simple way to cheer your mood and fill you with enthusiasm as you look in the mirror. Sounds a little silly, but colour really does affect our mindset, so choose one you feel suits you and one that best fits with your yoga attitude!
