Chose one that doesn’t have a plunging neckline and fits your body well—a loose shirt or a low neckline will leave you exposed when you bend or twist into a new position.
In inversion poses, your shirt might slide up your torso, so either prepare to tuck it in during class, or wear a camisole underneath.
Full-length yoga pants are better suited for classes that won’t involve a lot of rapid movement since the excess fabric could trip you up. For more active classes where you’ll get hotter much quicker, consider getting a 3/4-length pair of yoga pants. The styles vary from pencil-leg to bell-bottoms. There are also more loose-fitting styles that resemble lightweight sweatpants. Consider which styles will make you feel most comfortable since you want to be able to work through your poses without worrying at all about the way you look.
You’ll also want to consider whether they are transparent when stretched, but you want to be secure that you will be well-concealed throughout the class. If you’re going to be sweating a lot in your shorts, consider black or navy blue colors that tend to show moisture less readily.
If you haven’t tried yoga before and are tentative about investing in a new wardrobe before you know whether you’ll go to classes regularly, a pair of leggings is fine. But you will want to get some pants properly designed for yoga if you perform it more often because the way yoga clothes are tailored lend themselves well to getting into flexible poses comfortably and without restriction.
If you’re not sure if yoga is for you and just want to try it out, most studios have mats available to rent. Mats vary in thickness, so if you have tender knees or want more support for when you’re sitting on the firm ground, consider the option of buying a thicker mat.
