What does fashion have to do with yoga?  We're supposed to be concerned with our breath, bandhas and balance.  Well, you're right.  But, we do have to wear something beyond the diaper-like shorts you see on the old black and white photos of the Indian masters. 

Now that yoga is a gazillion dollar industry,(1) we are inundated with ways to spend our yoga bucks on classes, retreats, DVDs, books and, yes, clothing.   Beyond the big boys, like Nike and Northface, and the Gap, jumping into the market, there are the major yoga specialty stores like Lululemon, Lucy,  and Athleta which are all owned by each other, kind of.  Just check out the back of yoga journal magazine for the likes of Alo, Lole, Shakti, and Be Present.

Here are some of my thoughts, of course, biased, because it's my opinion.  I've done little research and got paid zip for any of this.  Dang.  Maybe the Clarey Sage folks could send me something (small) for all of the money I've tossed their way. 

HardTail -  HardTail was one of the first yoga lines I bought.  I liked the "roll down" top pants which I can be adjust to cover the muffin nicely.  Being cotton, the black has faded and they have stretched out with wear.  They're really reasonably priced, so you can wear them for a year or so, and feel you got your value.  I also own the very cute mini skirt to wear over my pants.  Westside Yoga Studio has a nice collection of these little things in gray and black. 

LuluLemon -  I bought my first Lulu top at their only store in Vancouver maybe 10 years ago.  I still have it, love it, and it looks almost brand new.  How can that be?  I don't know.  That's it for my Lulu wear.  I have not bought anything since, given the sky-high prices and the mass production.  Also, the pants don't fit my body well, having a short rise for the 20-somethings.    

Zobha -  Made from Supplex and Lycra, these clothes feel great, wash well, don't fade or stretch out with wear.  I like their styling and their tops and pants fit me well, although a few of the pant styles are a bit low (for me).  Like Lululemon,  I can foresee my Zobhas lasting for years.  Want to see Zobha in action--come to one of Ann Austin's classes in Sebastopol.  After Zobha's killer warehouse sale last year, she bought 20 or so tops and "gave" them to her her students.  Thanks, Ann.  Also, Zobha is a local company out of Mill Valley.

Clarey Sage -  The last thing we need is more over-priced yoga wear, right? I am always searching for the yoga pant that fits my body.  The rise must be perfect--avoiding the muffin top and the camel toe.  I have also been veering toward a short or capri after finding I was always pulling up my long pants.  Just to "check it out", I strode into their store on Fillmore Street.  The tops were super cute with unique styling and stitching and would be perfect for someone else.   Ah, but the pants.  I bought their capri and the shorts (cut right above the knee).  The waist band was sensible--fairly wide and not too tight.  The organic cotton fabric feels so soft and so far has washed well.  I hope I love them forever to justify the killer price. 

Target, Gap, Gap Body, Old Navy -  These stores are perfect for yoga clothes, especially the cotton tank tops for $10 or less.  They are colorful, cotton and you can buy a bunch of them for the price of one from Lululemon.  All these stores are offering yoga pants, too.  Victoria Secret has camisoles, some with built in bras, that double perfectly as a yoga top.  

Regardless of what you wear, the important thing is showing up on your mat often and regularly.  It's mornings for some of you, dashing from work at lunchtime for others, or dragging yourself to the 5:30 class after a long day at work.  Maybe it's the 11:00 Saturday mornings after a late Friday night.  Whenever it is for you and regardless of what you're wearing, just come.

(1)   "The 2008 "Yoga study shows that Americans spend $5.7 billion a year on yoga classes and products, including equipment, clothing, vacations and media (DVDs, videos, books and magazines). This figure represents an increase of 87 percent compared to the previous study in 2004 - almost double of what was previously spent."  in America"

[Want to read some of my earlier posting.  You can find them here.  Enjoy.]