Yoga clothing is now the ultimate combination of technical performance fabrics and sleek contemporary style. In fact, it looks so good that many women wear a yoga crop top or pants as a fashion item or just to feel more comfortable in everyday activities, whether they practise yoga or not.
However, at one time yoga clothing was a very different affair to the stretchy form-hugging styles we are used to today. Here’s a look at how it has evolved over the years.
The ancient roots of yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice rooted in the religion and philosophy of India, and it was primarily performed by men in these early days. They wore loose fitting garments made of natural fibres such as cotton or linen to allow a range of movement and to keep them cool in the hot climate.
As women began to realise the benefits of practising yoga, they wore modest clothing in keeping with cultural and religious norms. In India, this may have included traditional modes of dress such as the saree or salwar kameez paired with dhoti pants.
The rise of yoga in Western societies
The second half of the 20th century saw yoga becoming popularised in the West. in the 1960s and 70s, it was aligned with the hippie movement because of its philosophical and spiritual aspects. Women who took up yoga often wore the current fashions of the era rather than specially designed sportswear, such as tie dye shirts, flared pants and long loose skirts.
The activewear revolution
The 1980s and 90s saw a surge of interest in health and fitness, and this led to a new era of more advanced activewear. Innovations such as Lycra saw the introduction of stretchy and form-fitting fabrics that made the performance of yoga moves easier. More supportive women’s clothing helped them to feel confident and more comfortable.
This era also saw the emergence of sportswear as a fashion statement, with bright vivid colours and patterns becoming more widely available.
The rise of athleisure
The start of the 21st century saw yoga continue to boom in popularity, as we learnt to embrace both its spiritual and physical benefits. The blending of exercise and everyday clothing saw yoga leggings become women’s go-to wardrobe item for everything from grocery shopping to going to the gym.
Innovations such as sweat-wicking fabrics allowed sportswear to evolve further, enabling the layering of lightweight breathable garments for all types of indoor and outdoor conditions. Funky colours and seamless designs, and women’s tops with invisible built-in support made sports clothing a fashion statement as well as a practical choice.
Diversifying for different yoga practices
Activewear is now more diverse than ever, catering for various styles of yoga and different body types. Yoga clothing of today is unrecognisable from its ancient origins, but there is a growing emphasis on organic or recycled materials in response to demand for eco-friendly clothing options.