The no pants movement: why you should ditch the undies and go yoga commando

For real peace in a deep downward dog, ditch the undies — just make sure your leggings aren’t see-through. Go yoga commando, says Susannah Butter
Go yoga commando: according to a recent survey, 25 per cent of women practise no-pants yoga (Picture: sweatybetty.com)

As anyone who has ever attempted a shoulder stand knows, yoga is not about judging. For the best practice, undivided attention is given to the breath, using it to challenge yourself and extend your muscles. In order to do this you need time, patience and crucially, you don’t need to be worrying about your underwear. Or for that matter anyone else’s.

We have the right to go deep into a downward dog without being distracted by chafing and it is far easier to attain a meditative state when you are not distracted by the person in front of you’s visible panty line, a glimpse of their flesh or worse, their thong. The same goes for cycling and gymnastics. As a rule, once undergarments are removed it all becomes more enjoyable. As Carla Bailey, who works in events and bikes to work, says: “I haven’t managed to find any knickers that are designed to be worn when exercising. I hate them so I go without.”

This sentiment is shared by more than 1,000 people, who all donated funds to a landmark development in engineering — the world’s first no-pants-necessary yoga leggings. Dear Kate Yoga Pants raised $158,933 on Kickstarter, more than 10 times its original goal of $15,000.

Founder and CEO Julie Sygiel is a devotee of no-pants exercise. She says: “When I first tried going commando it was amazing — no chafing, no messing around with thongs, no worrying about bunching up or panty lines.”

According to a recent survey, 25 per cent of women practise no-pants yoga — and those are just the ones brave enough to admit it.

But there was a problem for Sygiel: “Going commando in my super-thin leggings felt like I was winging it.” In order to ditch the underwear, you need sportswear that is up to the challenge of a serious workout. That means breathable, secure and not at all see-through. When Lululemon made a yoga trouser that wasn’t up to stretching without a big reveal it was a disaster.

The Dear Kate solution was tested on more than 900 women and contains a special fabric called underlux that is as good as if not better than pants. And it was triple-checked to make sure it was not see-through.

Once you join the no-pants exercise club, there is no going back. Bailey says, “It means I don’t have to pack new knickers for after I cycle and there are no awkward worries about my pants being on show when I am speeding through London — no one wants that. I look for leggings that are not itchy and are thick enough to not feel self-conscious so I can get on with all the other things I have to worry about. I do wash them regularly and have several pairs.”

Yoga instructor Galen O’Hanlon is on the frontline of the movement and has seen what happens when people get their underwear/legging arrangement wrong. He says it is more difficult for men to go pants-free — “It’s best to keep everything tucked in” — but he does have some tips. “The main thing to look out for is leggings that look fine when you’re standing up in them but don’t go see-through as soon they’re stretched over any acreage of bum, and leggings that aren’t high-waisted enough — this results in yoga/builder’s bum slash ‘Hey, check out my thong!’”

He also warns against leggings with crotch seams that begin to unravel during hip-opening poses.

Sweaty Betty puts its clothes through a series of trials before declaring them fit for purpose — they include the downward dog, inversion and splits tests. Emma Arnold, yoga teacher and owner of Yogarise Peckham studio, says: “You need to know if you can see your knickers in down-dog. It is not a good look.”

Problems arise if you fall for the colour or pattern of a legging and don’t want to abandon it because it is see-through. Arnold says people wear hot pants underneath to deal with this, “but I find that too warm, especially when practising dynamic yoga. The same goes for poor quality fabrics for leggings — synthetic cheap undies and exercise don’t go too well together. VPL and unsightly bulges are always an issue with leggings too; in my opinion, a seam-free or lace thong would be the best option — the skimpier the better.”

At Frame studios, Rosy Clark says: “The most important thing I look for is a 100 per cent opaque legging.” And if you have to wear pants she adds: “I would opt for a Brazilian style as these don’t give a VPL but are comfortable when doing exercise.”

But if this has inspired you to chuck out your exercise knickers, feel free (just watch out for holes).

PANTS-FREE RULES

You may feel jubilant about your new-found breezy state but be sensitive about whom you confide in. As with all revolutionary movements, some people need convincing at the start.

Resist the temptation to let this method spill over into the rest of your life. No pants plus leggings is a dream combo but is it worth the risk of trying it with a skirt at your morning meeting?

Be confident. All the good work you’ve done by escaping VPL will be undone if you are forever nervously checking that nothing else is on show.

Supportive leggings are not a panacea — smart fabric still needs regular washing.

Consider the situation. Pants are not necessary for cycling or yoga but you may want to reconsider if you are going to a rollicking, booty-shaking dance class.

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