I remember when I first started exercising at home, doing body squats and planks most commonly. I would be in constant muscle pain from doing the exercises and didn’t care much about stretching.
I didn’t really do much of that at all until I was introduced to the world of yoga.
Yoga is important to me and my husband as it brings us more awareness of the world around us. When we go to yoga sessions, we come out of them breathing lighter and feeling more energized. We also feel like yoga has great mental health benefits that have helped with my husbands anxiety.
Shopping for athletic clothing, especially for yoga, is a tricky thing! You’re going to feel every inch of your body as you become more and more aware in your yoga session, so the slightest irritation gets magnified.
Yoga tops seem like just a decorative piece of clothing, but they can actually have a function that maximizes your yoga sessions. For example, tight-fitting tops can increase compression, which makes you more aware of your movements. They keep you aware of your breathing as well, something that is important in yoga.
Loose yoga tops are okay, but some usually go over your head as you stretch down. That’s why you need to find the right mix of a breathable yet supportive top. I researched some of the best yoga tops out there to help you look for the best top for you.
Best Yoga Tops For Women Compared and Reviewed
| Image | Title | Brand | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top | Lululemon Cool Racerback | Lululemon | Check Price on Amazon |
 | HLXFHB Workout Tank Tops for Women | HLXFHB | Check Price on Amazon |
 | OYANUS Womens Summer Workout Top | OYANUS | Check Price on Amazon |
 | icyzone Workout Tank Tops for Women | icyzone | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Neleus Women's Compression Base Layer Dry Fit Tank Top | Neleus | Check Price on Amazon |
#1 - Lululemon Cool Racerback
Its fabric, called the Luon Fabric, is soft and lightweight. You’ll barely feel it as you relax into your yoga poses. It’s also sweat-wicking. This means that the fabric will absorb your sweat but not hold it into its fibers; it will simply let it evaporate into the air.
The material that makes all these features possible is a mix of 59 percent Polyester, 33 percent Nylon, and 8 percent Lycra Elastane. Polyester is a material known to be durable and moisture-wicking. Its fibers absorb the water and bring it to the outside of the yoga top. The nylon is even stronger, making this mix of fabric very durable and resistant to wear and tear.
You might be thinking of this as a stiff fabric, though, but these materials are actually soft! The addition of Elastane, also called Spandex, makes this yoga top flexible without losing its shape. You can do all your yoga poses as much as you want, and your yoga top will keep up with your body.
The fit is tight, and the top reaches your hips. This might be a problem for some people, especially around the torso area. Some users have reported that it really is tight. They even recommend going a size up. Be wary of some pictures online, as you will only receive the normal racerback top when you order.
PROS
- Moisture-wicking
- Durable and comfortable material
- Hip-length to keep yoga top in place
CONS
- Slim, tight fit might not look flattering to everyone
#2 - HLXFHB Workout Tank Tops for Women
It is lightweight, so it’ll feel like a second skin. The material makes it very stretchy, too. This is because the fabric is made of 95 percent Polyester and 5 percent Spandex.
Polyester, a synthetic fabric, is a very durable fabric. It is also moisture-wicking, so you can sweat in it but not trap this moisture on the inside of your fabric. It just quickly evaporates.
Spandex makes this fabric stretchy, so it’ll conform to your body where it needs to. It is soft, and you know that the quality of the material could be noticed immediately as you touch it.
It also has a racerback style, meaning its back is shaped like a T. Its scoop neck design makes it easy to breathe, unlike others that are a bit suffocating.
You might not like how short this top is, though. Sometimes, you want your top to be a bit longer to prevent your yoga friends from seeing any unwanted skin. The length might hinder your workout.
PROS
- Lightweight and breathable
- Conforms to the body well
- Moisture-wicking
CONS
- Length is too short for some users
#3 - OYANUS Womens Summer Workout Top
With the addition of a scoop neck cut in the front, this design makes for a breathable yoga top. Its fabric is stretchy and it flows freely so that your movements are not restricted. If you’re hot all the time, this yoga top will provide a cooling effect to your skin, especially for those power yoga sessions.
The material is 70 percent Modal and 30 percent Polyester, which is different from other yoga tops I’ve researched out there. Polyester is a very durable fabric and is moisture-wicking, absorbing your sweat and taking it away from your skin to the outside of the fabric.
Modal, on the other hand, is said to be eco-friendly since it is made from regenerative plants! It’s also biodegradable. Not only will you be going greener than most fabrics, but you’ll also get a stretchy and soft fabric. That’s why this fabric is ideal for athletic wear.
As with all products, some users have complaints. Some have reported getting 2 different sized yoga tops despite it claiming to be the same size! Some have also reported getting tighter fits despite going a size larger. Be wary of these things as you order online.
PROS
- Open back makes it more breathable
- Silky and comfortable
- Eco-friendly
CONS
- Some users have reported tight fits and inconsistent sizes
#4 - icyzone Workout Tank Tops for Women
The material is 95 percent Polyester and 5 percent Spandex, making for a durable fabric due to the Polyester. Polyester is also moisture-wicking, which is important for your more intense workouts! Spandex also makes it much more elastic, keeping its shape despite the stretchiness.
What I really like about this top is it has stitchings that contour your body, making it look slimmer by the waist! It also comes in a variety of colors, which you can buy as a pack of 3. Its racerback style gives your skin a little more space to breathe.
The fit is only slightly tight-fitting, unlike other yoga tops that hug your body tightly. icyzone recommends going a size up if you’d rather a looser fit, but I honestly think the fit is nice already! It’s loose enough for you to move around and tight enough to provide some support and not be too flimsy.
These are also constructed with flatlock seams, which makes it flatter and less likely to irritate your skin. Think this is a minor thing? You would probably take that back as you go through your workouts and feel every inch of your body.
PROS
- Flatlock seams prevent chafing
- Durable and moisture-wicking
- Breathable
CONS
- Inconsistent sizing and tight fits were reported
#5 - Neleus Women's Compression Base Layer Dry Fit Tank Top
Because it is 85 percent Polyester and 15 percent spandex, you might find that this top conforms to your body and stretches well. It also recovers well, so you won’t have a loose and flimsy top despite your constant yoga stretches. The Polyester gives you a moisture-wicking feature, which you’ll love especially if you sweat a lot.
The Racerback top gives your skin more space to breathe, but the holes are not as big as other tops. This provides more compression around your back, which will help you feel your poses much more.
This fabric is also easy to wash. Just throw it in your washing machine, and you’re good to go! You can also get this in a variety of colors. The simplicity of this style is great for those of you who like basics, but it also conforms to your body well.
Some users have complained about how thin the fabric is to them, though. Some even say that it doesn’t compress much! Other users, however, rave about this. It isn’t surprising that the reviews vary, so make sure to do your research.
PROS
- Tight-fitting for compression
- Moisture-wicking
- Easy to wash
CONS
- Complaints about no compression and thin fabric
My Number One Pick
- This versatile tank has a slim racerback that stays put—and out of your way—when youre on the move.
- Luon fabric is sweat wicking and four way stretch.
- Added LYCRA fibre moves with you and stays in great shape.
- Tight fit, hip length.
- 92% Nylon, 8% LYCRA Elastane.
Things To Consider When Buying Yoga Tops
Although buying yoga tops is definitely a fun endeavor, you have to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth! A lot of it depends on your personal experiences and preferences, like what types of yoga classes you usually participate in. To help you with that, I’ve researched some of the things you have to think about when buying yoga tops.
Material
What makes the yoga top, makes the yoga top. The quality of the yoga top is highly dependent on how good the material is! A lot of the time, you can tell how good the fabric is by touch alone, but knowing the specifics of its material is also very reassuring.
- Polyester
I mentioned Polyester a lot in my reviews! This is because Polyester is an ideal fabric for outdoor and athletic clothing. Its fibers are designed to attract the moisture into the fabric and then towards the outside of the clothing, making it easier for your sweat to dry up. The HLXFHB Workout Tank Top makes use of this a lot, with its fabric composing of 95 percent Polyester.
Synthetic fibers, in general, have this ability to be moisture-wicking. In fact, Polyester retains about 0.4 percent of moisture. Other great things about Polyester is its durability and strong fibers! This will ensure that your yoga top will keep up with your workouts. - Nylon
Although Polyester is a strong fabric already, Nylon is even much more durable with its stronger fibers. It’s a great material to throw into the mix of the fabric as it adds more form and shape to the yoga top. This means that, even as you stretch, it will come back to its original shape. Even with these wonderful qualities, Polyester is still used more often than Nylon because Nylon is much pricier! Lululemon is not afraid to use it, though, with the Lululemon Cool Racerback. - Elastane
Elastane, or Spandex as we know it, is a stretchable material perfect for athletic clothing. It conforms to your body and provides support to increase your awareness of your yoga poses. This is why the Neleus Women’s Compression Dry Fit Tank Top is great at providing compression.
But that doesn’t mean it makes your yoga top wrinkle into a sad, overstretched fabric; Elastane also recovers well despite stretching. It’s not only used in yoga tops, but in swimwear, leggings, and even dresses that conform to your body! - Modal
Modal is considered the eco-friendly option of fabrics. They are made of beech tree pulp, which is, of course, a regenerative source, essentially meaning that we have a supply to last a lifetime. To add to all of that, this fabric is biodegradable! The OYANUS Womens Summer Workout Top makes use of this fabric.
Because it is stretchable, too, it makes for a very comfortable fabric that conforms to your body. This is why it is used for both underwear and athletic wear!
Fit
You definitely want to consider how tightly (or how loosely) you want the yoga top to conform to your body. I like to think of it as being dependent on what kind of yoga session you prefer.
If you’re going for hot yoga or power yoga, I’d suggest that you wear a more loose top to help your skin breathe a little. A slightly tight-fitting top can help with that, such as the icyzone Workout Tank Top.
If you’re going for slower yoga sessions where you focus more on your body movements, I’d say you must go with tighter fits in order to increase compression and your awareness about your movements.
Price
Price is always a tricky thing to talk about. Some athletic brands are very much overpriced, which is why I really like going for less known brands with high quality. But sometimes, your cheap yoga top is also cheap quality, and buying from known brands just gives you the reassurance of quality. This is why my list has a different range of prices.
Design
Yoga is a wonderful and relaxing way to rest from hard training. To make it an even more pleasant experience, liking the way you look as you stretch is also a motivating factor for some.
Though most of the items here have great designs, I would say that Lululemon takes the cake on the design aspect. This is a very popular brand especially with women and not just for their yoga tops but bottoms as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yoga Tops
Q: Do I go for tight-fitting tops or more loose ones?
A: It really depends on what kind of yoga classes you go to. Faster-paced yoga classes will require more space for your body to move, so I’d suggest looser tops. Just make sure it still provides a bit of support and that it won’t fall over your face as you bend down.
The opposite is true as well. Slower yoga classes with more emphasis on your body and breathing will require you to have tighter tops for more compression.
Q: Are there any preferred colors?
A: I’d say you should get darker colors to hide your sweat. If it’s hot outside, darker colors are going to trap heat into your body, though. White tops are the way to go in this case.
Q: Why do I need compression from my yoga tops?
A: Compression will increase your awareness of your body movements. This means that as you breathe, you’ll feel the fabric pushing back on you, thus helping you push even further and feel the rise and fall. Certain poses also need for you to concentrate, which benefits from a bit of help from the fabric.
Conclusion
Yoga tops are definitely a fun thing to shop for, especially with the different styles out there, but you have to also consider how well it will move with you in your yoga sessions. There are a lot of ways to know how a certain brand performs in that regard, such as online reviews or trying it on yourself in the store!
Certain body types won’t fit certain products, so make sure to look for reviews of people with a similar body type to yours. After your research, though, your new yoga top is motivation enough to be a regular yogi!
If you’re just starting out with Yoga check out our older post on the best yoga mats for beginners and if you needed any convincing, check out the top 10 benefits of yoga and how it actually helps you (Hint: There’s many benefits beyond what you might know).
Once you’re ready to start taking it to the next level, consider using a yoga wheel. We even did a post on what are some of the best things to eat after yoga, check it out. Remember – the most important thing is consistency, get out there and keep going!
Sources:
https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/clothing-materials-reduce-sweating.htm
https://www.textileschool.com/234/polyester-fiber-and-its-uses/
https://www.ruibagfactory.com/polyester-spandex-fabric/
https://polymerdatabase.com/Fibers/Nylon.html
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fabric-guide-what-is-modal-fabric
Kelly Li is a yoga and mindfulness enthusiast from Adelaide, Australia. Kelly believes that through active yoga, exercise, and practicing stretching routines that we can feel better in our bodies and ultimately better mentally too. Kelly runs weekly yoga boot camps and hopes to inspire others to try it as a form of fitness.