Is it okay to wear yoga pants in public?

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Is it ok to wear yoga pants in public? There are some strong and differing opinions on this topic.

Let’s break down all the fashion rules that apply to your beloved pair of yoga pants.

Is it okay to wear yoga pants in public?

Deciding on “real” clothes is just another stressful part of your day that many would rather avoid, especially if fitting in a workout at some point in part of the plan.

While some people are dead set against wearing yoga pants unless they’re headed to a yoga studio or the gym, I think we can all understand the appeal of never taking off our athletic wear.

Especially if you are going from your morning yoga session or workout into the rest of your day. Sometimes it’s easier just to stay in your yoga clothes and go about your day.

woman wearing black yoga pants and a cream sweater

Why do women wear yoga pants everywhere?

One of the biggest reasons that women wear yoga pants everywhere is because they’re easy to style.

Comfortable yoga pants are hard to pass up when you have a hectic day in front of you, especially if you’re a mom.

They are also one of the most comfortable bottoms. Due to the materials used, the stretch in yoga pants is much greater than other styles of pants.

When did yoga pants become popular?

Yoga pants became a thing around 1998 when the popular yoga brand, Lululemon, created the first pair of yoga-specific pants to accommodate advanced yoga movements. However, leggings in general have been around for much longer, hitting the scene in 1958. So the idea of yoga pants wasn’t a brand new idea.

What was new was the sudden acceptance of wearing what looked like leggings as pants. From there it was a quick-growing trend and it’s survived through the years and is still going strong with current trends.

woman wearing leggings, combat boots, a t-shirt, and button-up
woman wearing leggings, combat boots, a t-shirt, and button-up

The difference between yoga pants and leggings

Yoga pants and leggings are very similar and very different at the same time. Well, that’s if we’re talking about the original leggings and not today’s workout leggings.

The original leggings were created to be worn under a dress or long tunic-type shirt. Because of this, the fabric is thinner and may be see-through when bending or stretching the fabric.

This fabric is not supportive and not even really that comfortable when compared to workout yoga pants or workout leggings.

Yoga pants, on the other hand, were created with four-way stretch fabric for excessive and exaggerated movement. The synthetic materials used to make yoga pants are more tightly woven and meant to withstand many forms of exercise and movement.

While there are some lower-quality yoga pants that may be see-through when bending, quality yoga pants offer a thick, protective fabric that is not revealing like regular leggings can be.

A pair of leggings will also have a different type of waistband than yoga pants.

Leggings are not as supportive as yoga pants so the waistband is more loose and narrow than the wide and compressive waistband of yoga pants. Cotton leggings are a popular choice to wear under clothing but would not be appropriate to wear as pants.

If we’re talking about workout leggings, however, they are basically the same as yoga pants. Workout leggings got their name from athleticwear companies wanting to sell yoga pants to anyone who did any type of exercise. They renamed them workout leggings for marketing purposes, but they are the same thing as yoga pants.

So Is it okay to wear yoga pants in public?

The short answer to this question is, yes, it is okay to wear yoga pants in public. Obviously, you can do whatever you want, but I think it’s widely accepted idea in today’s world that yoga pants can be worn in public in our daily lives.

The only exceptions, of course, would possibly be a work environment or some sort of event that requires a more formal dress code.

Otherwise, wear them all you want to, just wear them well. Not that you have to look like a million bucks all the time, but there are a few things to consider to make sure your yoga pants are appropriate for public consumption. We’ll talk about that in the next section.

Keep in mind that we all have our own personal style. Different people have different styles and different opinions.

Some may always believe that the stretchy-pants look is too informal for making a public appearance. Others will always believe that casual wear all day every day is a great way to live a happier life.

To each their own, right? Now let’s talk about those considerations for wearing yoga pants in public.

woman wearing leopard yoga leggings and a black hoodie
woman wearing leopard yoga leggings and a black hoodie

How to wear yoga pants in public?

Wearing yoga pants in public or even leggings as pants are generally disapproved of for one of two reasons, or both of these reasons.

Either because yoga pants are so informal and/or because they are pretty revealing. Tight yoga pants leave little to the imagination and some feel that tight-fitting clothes are inappropriate in a public place.

If you’re one of the many people who find yoga pants perfectly acceptable, consider these things before you make your go-to pants choice.

1. Are your yoga pants the perfect fit?

Yoga pants should fit you well, not too tight and not too loose. They should come up around your waist, usually up near your belly button, not down low creating that dreaded muffin top look.

2. Are your yoga pants of good quality and aren’t see-through when you bend over in the grocery store?

Not only are see-through yoga pants not a flattering look, but they are also embarrassing, especially if you haven’t even noticed that your leggings are see-through.

Be sure you always check out your tight exercise clothing so you don’t find out at an inopportune moment that your pants are see-through.

If you end up with a pair of thinner yoga pants that don’t provide full coverage, you can always wear a long shirt or tie a jacket around your waist if you still want to wear them.

The tried and true test for quality yoga pants is the squat test. Even if you don’t plan on squatting in your yoga or workout pants, this is the best method to determine if they are see-through.

Get in some good lighting, squat as low as possible to stretch the pants in the knees and the butt, and take a look in the mirror or have a friend or spouse see if they can see through the pants.

3. Put together a decent look

Yoga pants can be styled in a bunch of different ways so you’ll feel and look more put together. Wearing your yoga pants for different purposes other than working out, or just carrying them over into your next activity is totally possible to pull off.

Here are some ideas to inspire your next yoga pants look:

Oversized Sweatshirt | Yoga Pants | Sneakers | Hat | Bag | Earrings

This all-black, effortless sweatshirt and sneakers with yoga pants look is perfect for a trip to the gym and a few quick stops for errands after. Finish this look with a chic bag and comfortable sneakers.

White T-shirt | Denim jacket | Hat | Yoga Pants | Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses | Tennis Sneakers

A white tee, a jean jacket, and a cute hat are a great combo to hang out at a coffee shop or make a trip to your local farmer’s market on a Saturday morning.

Cropped T-shirt | Belt Bag | Yoga Pants | Necklace | Sneakers

Choose a cute cropped t-shirt for a trendy and fun and comfortable look for a day out around town. a belt bag allows you to be hands friends and a cute layering necklace takes the look up a notch.

Oversized Denim Shirt | Seamless Yoga Leggings & Sports Bra Set | Gym Bag | Water Bottle

Throw on an oversized denim shirt over your workout gear for a post-workout coffee date.

Oversized Sweater | T-Shirt | Yoga Pants | Sneakers | Purse

A white t-shirt, some black yoga pants, your favorite sneakers, and a cozy oversized sweater make the perfect travel outfit. There is no better pair of pants for traveling than yoga pants, especially for a long-haul flight.

Best yoga pants for everyday wear

You don’t have to buy fancy yoga pants to get good quality. Yes, some of the more expensive yoga brands are made very well and provide good quality, thick compression fabric that is never see-through.

That doesn’t mean you can’t find good quality and affordable pairs of yoga pants.

Don’t be afraid to look outside of popular brands for your yoga pants. Read reviews and pay attention to what people say about quality. Women are finding yoga pants all the time that are comparable to popular styles from the big, expensive brand names.

The pair used in the few photos above is the perfect example of that.

Oftentimes, what you’re paying for from these high-end brands is their name, not necessarily their products. New companies are popping up every day that are offering quality materials at more affordable prices.

Here are a few that range from low to high priced but all offer quality material for everyday use.

Colorfulkoala Women’s Buttery Soft High Waisted Yoga Pants

The Gym People Thick High Waist Yoga Pants

CRZ YOGA Women’s Naked Feeling Workout Leggings

CELER High-Waisted Yoga Pants

Yogipace High-Waisted Yoga Pants

Eddie Bauer Women’s Trail Tight Leggings

Glyder Top Notch High Waisted Soft Leggings

Lululemon Align Full-Length Yoga Pants

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