Best Cheap Yoga Clothes


You may not need much to begin practicing yoga -- after all, it doesn't even require shoes -- but it's very possible to spend a fortune on special yoga clothing and gear. Companies such as Lululemon have built businesses on that premise. Frugal yogis can find far cheaper yoga clothes that fit well and prove comfortable and durable.


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Our Top Pick

Old Navy Fold-Over Yoga Pants
Our Picks
Old Navy Fold-Over Yoga Pants


One of the best features of Old Navy fold-over yoga pants is they come in three different inseam lengths, as well as a capri style. Petite and tall women posting reviews on the Old Navy site seem delighted to have found a pair that isn't too short or too long. Old Navy yoga pants reviews say the fit is snug, so the pants won't bunch up when you twist your body into difficult poses, but not so tight as to restrict your movement. The fabric is 93 percent cotton and 7 percent spandex, which wearers have found stretchy enough to move with the body during many forms of exercise, not just yoga. The fold-over waistband is very flattering, according to yoga pants reviews, and doesn't create a "muffin top" like a tighter waistband might. Consumers note that the material is heavy enough to be durable but not so heavy that the pants prove too hot to wear while working out.


Affection for Old Navy fold-over yoga pants extends even outside the yoga studio. Old Navy yoga pants reviews come from women who consider these comfortable and stylish enough to wear for any casual occasion, as well as for exercise of all kinds. Even pregnant women have found that these pants fit comfortably well into the third trimester and also prove flattering postpartum, when the waistband can be unfolded to hold in any "jiggle," as one reviewer put it. Several Old Navy yoga pants reviews suggest the pants run a bit large but shrink to fit if you throw them in the dryer.


Old Navy fold-over yoga pants come in black or a dark gray, with an optional violet or hot-pink waistband, depending on the size. The capris offer a few different color options. Online shoppers should note that certain colors in both styles have "Old Navy" printed across the back of the waistband.

Champion Double Dry Women's Training Tank

Champion Double Dry Women's Training Tank Review


Although it's really meant for more cardiovascular activity, the Champion Double Dry women's training tank works for yoga as well, earning kudos in reviews for flat seams that don't chafe and for the moisture-wicking properties of the "mock-mesh" fabric. Champion tank top reviews describe the polyester material as soft and comfortable, with a suppleness that promotes freedom of movement.


Consumers look for yoga tops that are long enough to cover the midriff even in a pose where the arms are raised and cut close enough that the hem won't flip or ride up during a downward-facing dog or a headstand. Many also might prefer that the neckline be a bit on the higher side to avoid inadvertent exposure in inverted poses. The Champion Double Dry training tank comes through on all these counts. Consumers posting Champion tank top reviews on Amazon report that the tank provides plenty of coverage -- almost too much, in the opinion of one reviewer who finds the shape somewhat "macho." The fit is snug and the length keeps wearers from exposing any skin. A few Champion tank top reviews mention that the armholes are a little on the tight side, causing chafing on a run, but other reviewers find them roomy and most seem happy with the fit in general.


The Champion Double Dry training tank is made of polyester that is mesh on the outside and smooth on the inside. Some reviewers note that the lighter colors are somewhat sheer and recommend wearing a substantial sports bra underneath or opting for a darker color. Amazon carries seven different color options at several different prices, with black being the cheapest -- another argument for choosing a dark color. The moisture-wicking material keeps wearers cool and sweat-free while they're working out. One reviewer asserts that it dries so quickly she can wear the tank directly out of the washing machine. Other consumers appreciate that the fabric is durable enough to keep its shape even after many washings.

Mossimo Leggings

Mossimo Leggings Review


Mossimo Supply Co. leggings from Target may work nicely under dresses and tunics -- in fact, some reviewers consider them a wardrobe staple, calling them soft, comfortable, and easy to wear. However, many consumers posting Mossimo leggings reviews on the Target website suggest they're too skimpy to wear on their own, making them ill-suited for yoga. While they're thicker than tights, some customers report that they border on translucent, especially after a few washings.


The material is 95% cotton and 5% spandex, which gives the leggings stretch but no moisture-wicking properties. One of the best features, according to some Mossimo leggings reviews, is the wide waistband. Women are fond of the way it holds in the tummy area. Reviews indicate that the length is sufficient for tall women. The leggings come in basic black online, although apparently Target stores occasionally carry them in gray. Capris are available as well.


Durability is the real deal breaker here. The thin fabric doesn't seem to hold up to everyday wear and washing, much less strenuous physical activity. Mossimo leggings reviews complain of seams opening up after a few months, although some customers point out that the low price makes the leggings eminently replaceable.

Buying Guide

Cheap Yoga Clothes Buying Guide

Our search for the best cheap yoga clothes turned up Old Navy fold-over yoga pants. These pants are our top pick in part because they work so well for so many different women. They come in regular, petite, and tall lengths, as well as a capri style, and more than 1,400 online reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The Champion Double Dry women's training tank is a good option if you expect to work up a sweat. The lightweight polyester fabric wicks moisture and roomy armholes allow freedom of movement. Mossimo leggings from Target may seem like an incredible deal, but reviewers say they are too thin to stand up to a lot of working out. While they sport a wide, elastic waistband and incorporate spandex, they aren't as stretchy as yogis might need.


We've focused on yoga clothes for women here, but consumers of any gender can save money by making do with gear they already have. While yoga definitely calls for comfy clothing, baggy T-shirts are out. For one thing, they will ride up when you're in inverted poses. In that way, relatively form-fitting apparel is less revealing. An expert writing in Yoga Journal points out that tighter clothing offers the added benefit of letting a teacher check your form. As you move into various poses, you need cheap yoga clothes that will move with you. The right material and construction allows for that close yet flexible fit without binding or chafing, particularly when you start working up a sweat. That's why reviewers posting on Amazon admire the flat seams and moisture-wicking ability of the Champion Double Dry training tank. They say the "mock-mesh" polyester fabric breathes well and dries quickly. It's less absorbent than 100 percent cotton, so if you're sweating -- particularly if you're doing Bikram (or "hot") yoga -- the moisture won't weigh down your clothing or make it feel uncomfortable. The flat seams are designed to prevent chafing.


Sometimes the very word "yoga" entails a markup, and plenty of good cheap yoga clothes may not be marketed as such. The Champion tank is a prime example. In fact, online reviews suggest that consumers wear this top more often for running than for yoga. They testify that it's cut close to the body but isn't too snug and doesn't stick when they sweat. A reviewer who bought the top for yoga confirms that it stays in place, unlike looser shirts inclined to flop over the head.


Online reviews also credit the Champion Double Dry tank for retaining its shape even after many washes. One consumer, who says she washes the top after every wearing, reports that it has stood the test of time without fading, stretching out, or coming apart at the seams.


Cheap Yoga Pants


Cheap Yoga Pants: Fit

Probably the most important quality to look for in yoga apparel is a comfortable fit. You want to focus your attention on your asanas, not on clothing that's too loose or too tight, too long or too short. Cheap yoga pants with a fold-over top or a wide waistband tend to be less constricting and less likely to chafe when you're bending over. As you get into a pose, you often need to check your feet and ankles to ensure they're in proper alignment. This is something to keep in mind if you prefer long pants over capris or leggings. Be sure that they are not so long that they cover your feet, especially if they flare at the bottom.


Old Navy fold-over yoga pants are nice and snug, according to reviews , and they stay that way -- they don't droop or sag. Yet shoppers posting feedback on the Old Navy website say the fold-over waistband isn't too constricting. Some even like to pull it up to make their midsections look slimmer. Old Navy's cheap yoga pants also win favor with consumers for coming in three different lengths. Women as tall as 6 feet express particular appreciation that the tall sizes are long enough for them.


Mossimo leggings come in both long and capri styles. In reviews posted on the Target website, taller women report that the long leggings fit well. Customers on the petite side have found the capri leggings pretty close to ankle length, according to reviews. Many shoppers note the wide waistband, saying it's flattering and holds in the belly, although a couple of wearers consider the waistband way too tight.


Cheap Yoga Pants: Comfort

Old Navy customers find the fold-over yoga pants so stretchy and comfortable that several report having worn them throughout a pregnancy, when other clothing was irritating. Other reviewers say the fabric is so soft that they frequently wear these cheap yoga pants outside the yoga studio. There are no tags to cause irritation and the waistband lies flat and stays folded during exercise, according to reviews. Target customers seem to have found Mossimo leggings comfortable as well. They might not be as stretchy as some reviewers would like, but they are lightweight and cool. The material is soft and comfortable, consumers say, and breathable as well.


Cheap Yoga Pants: Durability

Even if you don't spend a lot of money on exercise gear, you still want cheap yoga pants to last. The material should be sturdy enough to stand up to intense workouts and repeated washings. This is where the Mossimo leggings really fall down on the job. Reviewers warn that the material is so thin it's see-through. The leggings might be fine for wearing like tights under a dress or long top but don't really work as cheap yoga pants. The problem only worsens with washing, according to reviews, and holes start to appear at the seams. Some consumers say they put up with this because the leggings are cheap enough to replace often. One purchaser suggests air-drying Mossimo leggings to increase their life expectancy.


Contrast this with the Old Navy fold-over yoga pants, which are on the thick side for this kind of garment and seem to last longer. Their apparent durability is all the more impressive considering how often women report wearing them. Reviewers appreciate that the pants don't sag or lose their shape, even after hours of wear. They also wash very well, according to reviews, although some report that they shrink a bit.