Why Do My Yoga Pants Roll Down At The Waist?

Wardrobe malfunctions are rarely fun but particularly annoying when trying to get something done, like in a yoga class. You’re trying to focus on the flow, but your yoga pants keep migrating south, creating issues. So, instead of spending an hour soaking up a relaxing yoga class, you spend that time fighting with your pants. 

There are a few potential reasons why this happens. Generally, the fix is straightforward, but it usually requires scrapping that pair of pants altogether. 

Why Do My High Waisted Yoga Pants Roll Down?

High-waisted yoga pants are a blessing. Gone are the days of low-waisted trends, where the pants were notorious for meandering out of place, refusing to sit where they’re supposed to. Nowadays, high-waisted pants are in, including yoga pants. 

It’s a win-win – better overall support with a waistband that hits at a good spot. Of course, high-waisted pants aren’t ideal for everyone, as some folks find them wildly uncomfortable. If you’re a fan of these pants, you might notice specific pairs have issues. Perhaps they roll down at the waist, so you constantly have to yank them up.

Here are a few reasons why this happens.

Wrong Size

Yoga pants are designed to fit snugly against your skin, so wrong sizing can cause various issues. If the pants are too large, you’ll constantly be pulling them up. However, the same thing can happen if the pants are too small. 

Worn-Out Elastic Band

Many designs of yoga pants feature an elastic band at the waist to help keep the pants firmly in place. Over time, this elastic band may wear out, becoming loose and not offering the same amount of retractability in its stretch. 

When this happens, you might notice your pants begin to move around when you try to do anything, so you constantly have to keep a hand on them to keep them in place. 

Poor Quality

Unfortunately, dozens of scams and poor-quality manufacturers are churning out less-than-stellar products. The fabric may be thin or of poor quality, and the waistband might not have an elastic band. 

Sizing might be wildly inaccurate, leading you to buy the wrong size. 

Wrong Fit

Finding a pair of pants that will fit their figure is tricky for some folks. For example, maybe the waistband is perfect, but the pants are too tight over the thighs. Or, perhaps they fit perfectly over the thighs, but the waistband is way too loose. 

Generally, this isn’t as much of a problem with yoga pants, as most of them have some degree of stretch. However, it can still be a challenge. If you struggle with this particular issue, you might buy a pair of pants that fits perfectly everywhere but the waistband, allowing it to roll down.

How To Choose The Best Yoga Pants

Choosing the best yoga pants can be challenging, especially if you regularly struggle to find good sizing proportions between different aspects of the clothing (thighs to the waistband, etc.). That said, there are a few tips and tricks to use to ensure you get a great pair of yoga pants.

Choose The Right Fit

Out of all our recommendations, this is the most important one. You need to select a suitable size that fits your body proportions well. While this can be tricky, it’s essential for a good, comfortable pair of yoga pants. 

You’ll want to find a pair that fits snugly against your body, hugging your hips, waist, and upper thighs. There shouldn’t be excessive amounts of loose fabric gathering anywhere, such as at your crotch, below your glutes, or your knees. Small amounts of gathering shouldn’t be an issue, but large amounts of excess fabric are a problem. 

Pick High Waisted Fits

These are an excellent option for yoga apparel if you’re not opposed to the idea or fit of high-waisted pants. They provide superior support, creating a slimmer silhouette. The waistband sits high up on your waist, above your navel, so it has a better chance of staying in place. 

Choose A Quality Fabric

Poor quality fabric is a sure way to poor-fitting garments, especially in yoga pants. Thinner fabrics may stretch out faster, causing them to fit poorly after a few wears. Additionally, certain materials will slide over your skin, allowing the waistband to move freely. 

So, avoid buying poor-quality fabrics. Manufacturers generally list the material composition on the tag or below the product listing (online), so it’s easy enough to determine what it is. 

Look For Compression Fabrics

Compression fabrics are an ideal choice for activewear. The overall fit and durability of activewear made of these fabrics are usually excellent. These garments fit snugly against your skin, ensuring it stays in place while you workout. 

Compression fabrics aren’t always necessary if you’re doing low-impact sessions, but they can be a solid choice either way. 

Select Elastic Waistbands

As you browse through your options, keep an eye out for yoga pants with elastic waistbands. Some pants might have visible elastic bands, while others have them sewn into the waistband itself. Those with sewn-in waistbands might be more comfortable, but either one works. 

Wider elastic bands tend to be more comfortable around the waist than extremely narrow, tight waistbands, but it’s entirely up to you and your preferences. 

Keep An Eye Out For Drawstring Pants

Drawstring pants are another great idea, as they allow you to adjust the waistband sizing to your liking. Some yoga pants feature faux drawstrings solely for looks, which defeats the purpose. However, other pairs have fully functional drawstrings, making them ideal for active uses. 

You could cut a hole in the front part of your waistband, then run a drawstring through it. If you try this, make sure you are careful to cut a neat hole in the front layer only. Cutting through both layers won’t work as well. 

Wash Them The Right Way 

Most pairs of yoga pants usually have a little tag with washing instructions. It might be at the waistband, or it could be somewhere near the bottom of one leg. It should give generic washing instructions for the garment that indicate the best way to wash it. 

Sometimes, you might need to wash them inside out on a cold cycle. Or, maybe you need to handwash them and hang them to dry. Sometimes, you can wash the garment normally without any issues. Make sure you check this label, as incorrectly washing them could lead to stretching, shrinking, or other problems. 

Where Can I Find Good Quality Yoga Pants?

Online shopping is ideal for most things, but it can be a gamble when it comes to clothes shopping. On top of that, the internet is chock full of scams, where people will happily take your money without anything in return (or send you something that is entirely different from what you ordered).

That said, there are good quality websites out there with proven customer reviews. Numerous online stores sell yoga pants, including Lululemon, YogaOutlet, Fabletics, and Amazon. Some of these stores, like Lululemon and Fabletics (usually cheaper with a membership), can be pricey. 

On the other hand, if you prefer to shop in-store for your clothing to find the perfect fit, there are a few more places to check. These stores may not have the extensive stock and options you’d find online, but there are still plenty of choices. 

A few places to check include:

  • Target
  • Nike
  • Kohl’s
  • Dick’s Sporting Goals
  • JCPenny/Dillards

Or, if you don’t have any of those stores in your area, simply search the internet for retailers in your area. In some cases, you might be able to find out what your local stores have in stock, such as whether they have your favorite brands or sizing. 

While this might be ideal, it doesn’t always work out perfectly. So, you might check your local stores, only to find out they don’t have what you’re looking for. Then, you might have to browse online and rely on the reviews of others of your size.