Yoga Fashion for the Zen-Minded

In North America, an estimated 30 million people practice yoga. Do you know anyone these days who is not doing yoga? I may not have been into the aerobics craze of the 80's, but I'm definitely tying myself up in knots over yoga. But what to wear? That's the key to achieving internal happiness and being comfortable when your foot goes in your ear! Now that the ancient, ever so trendy and good for you, Eastern practice has established itself in the West, yoga-inspired gear suitable for both the gym and the streets is setting out to conquer the fashion runways. The comfort of walking around town in stretchy and pajama-like yoga outfits suits me to a comfy tee.

Nuala by Puma

Supermodel turned entrepreneur and yoga enthusiast, Christy Turlington has proved that her remarkable contortionism can build a mini empire. Turlington has teamed up with Puma to bring you Nuala, a line of yoga clothing that will take you from work to yoga and home again, in style.

Introduced in 1998, Nuala offers a complete casual clothing collection. They carry the staple comfy, cotton tanks ($80. US) and stretchy bottoms ($129.) - even a Yoga Mat Bag designed by Marc Jacobs ($400.) - but also boast a line of underwear, fashion pieces and outerwear suitable for wherever life may take you. The thin fabrics used are designed to allow the wearer freedom to move while practicing yoga.

Nuala's versatile Roll Down Pant ($115.) comes in a variety of this spring's hottest colors and can be worn to yoga, at home or on the streets. The supportive stretch front panel allows you to move comfortably and is great for first trimester maternity use or one too many nights home with your friends Ben and Jerry or the Haagen-Dazs gang. Yoga clothes are perfect when they aren't too tight--but too baggy is even worse. Turlington's line moves perfectly with you during every posture and later on when you are hanging out.

Lululemon Athletica

Canadian-based Lululemon Athletica provides men's and women's clothing and accessories for yoga, athletics and life. With a variety of pieces that are fashionable and functional for yoga practice, Lululemon also carries pants, jackets, tops and bottoms designed for everyday wear. From cute skirts suitable for an afternoon on the town, especially if your plans include looking cool and being a hot urban chick, to tennis gear that screams Kournikova and Serena. I love the comfortable tees that look great paired with jeans. All of their stylish, functional yoga clothing feels great on and moves and breathes with you.

Stretchy, technical fabric is used to allow you comfort and to keep moisture away from the skin. Both on their website, and on the product tags in their stores, Lululemon provides shoppers with a description, purpose and details of the fabric used for each of its pieces. Their Crop Slit Boogie pants ($74.) are especially flattering, comfortable and cool. The Loop Back Tank ($38.) is made from a nylon-lycra blend that makes it functional for yoga and athletics, and provides comfort and style for everyday use. Available in a variety of colors, the tank is a must both for the gym and your everyday wardrobe!

Wearing Yoga

While both Lululemon and Nuala offer shoppers a variety of pieces for everyday fashion, Wearing Yoga's line of yoga gear is exactly that: comfortable, functional clothes for the gym. The Wearing Yoga line features "Interra Dry-fit" fabric keeps moisture away from the body and fits close, "like a second skin", allowing the wearer to be comfortable and focus on postures.

Designed by a fashion model, Wearing Yoga offers up many modern and sexy tops and bottoms in solid colors. Our favorite is their ultra-flattering baby blue tracksuit. Regardless if you prefer spaghetti strapped tanks to long sleeved tops, trendy capris to classic shorts, you will find something suitable to your tastes and preferences for yoga-gear.

Source : http://www.hilary.com