1.Characteristics of Yoga Actions
Yoga exercises include stretching, strength, endurance, and exercises to enhance cardio-pulmonary function, which can promote physical health, coordinate the functions of the whole body, and also increase the vitality of the body. Although yoga has many postures (nearly 30,000), they are mainly centered around the spine for exercise. Through forward, backward, left, right, and twisting movements of the spine, the spine becomes flexible, and the spinal nerves are strengthened. The stretching area of yoga exercise should be focused on the chest trunk position, from bending forward to stretching backward, the chest stretching movement has the largest amplitude.
2.Research on Design Elements of Yoga Tops
2.1 Fabric and Accessory Design
Practicing yoga must ensure breathability and that the body is not restrained. Elastic fabrics with soft touch, lightweight, abrasion resistance, and high breathability occupy a large proportion in yoga clothing. The “Knitted Yoga Clothing” standard implemented on April 1, 2017, sets specific implementation standards for the fiber content, odor, pH value, decomposable carcinogenic aromatic dyes, friction color fastness, soap wash color fastness, sweat stain color fastness, water wash size change rate, moisture absorption and quick-drying performance of yoga clothing fabric. Fabrics with a spandex content of 10% (inclusive) and above also need to consider the elongation and recovery rate of stretch elasticity.
Fabrics blended with elastic fibers and other fibers retain the original advantages of the fibers and make up for their shortcomings. Different fabrics with different structural designs, such as plain, rib, brushed, pearl ground mesh, and other common knitted fabrics, can be made by blending spandex with cotton, viscose, polyester, nylon, and other fibers at different ratios, which can match the different design requirements of yoga clothing. Professional-level yoga fitness clothing fabric should also meet the requirements of quick cooling, insulation and breathability, strong support and no sense of restraint. To achieve these goals, a comprehensive design needs to be carried out from aspects such as yarn composition, fiber density, weaving method, etc. For example, high-elastic fibers have memory function, provide different intensities of compression for different body pressure parts, and still fit closely to the skin after easy stretching recovery; the design of high-filament fibers can improve the effect of moisture absorption and sweat wicking, while locking in moisture, enhancing antibacterial ability; high-density fiber fabrics provide strong support to muscles while also having functions of insulation, quick-drying, moisture absorption, sweat wicking, etc., strong support reduces muscle oscillation and fatigue; more flexible fabric structure design, for example, circular structure enhances fabric 360° stretch performance, parallel net-like weaving structure enhances breathability and stretching ability, etc. The design of yoga clothing accessories also has its characteristics, linings are mostly used in bras and hidden belts, using fabrics with certain elasticity and comfort such as mesh fabric. Sewing thread is divided into top thread and bottom thread. The top thread is generally made of polyester-cotton or all-polyester, which is characterized by being firm and not breaking; the bottom thread uses elastic thread to match the elasticity of the fabric. Straps and drawstrings are commonly used in yoga clothing, they generally have high elasticity to meet the stretching requirements of
large range of limb movement. The removable chest pad needs to have breathability, be not easily deformed, have molding, antibacterial, and other functions.
2.2 Structural Design
Yoga tops often incorporate bras into the clothing, and the internal replaceable chest pad design makes the chest present a three-dimensional shape, meeting the structure of the human chest net body and dynamic time, allowing yoga practitioners to be relaxed. The detail design of the top is mainly reflected in the changes in clothing length and the setting of dividing lines. Considering the seasonal temperature difference, the length change of the upper body style generally ranges from short bras to long styles covering below the hips, but generally does not exceed the middle of the thigh, as too long will affect movement; the change in sleeves basically goes from sleeveless to long sleeves; the collar type is generally collarless, facilitating neck rotation. The dividing line form of yoga tops is generally divided into straight lines, curves, and zigzag lines. Straight lines are full of masculine flavor and are relatively rare in women’s yoga clothing. The most common is curve division, usually incorporated into the change of the provincial road in the form of dividing lines, to better combine functionality and decoration, to show the beauty of female posture, as shown in Figure 1. The dividing line design needs to take into account both beauty and functionality. It can use dynamic pressure measurement technology and 3D body scanning measurement data to accurately refine dynamic pressure points, thereby achieving multi-piece division design, better implementing pressure support functions. Different parts of the piece use different fiber components or different fabric organization fabrics to achieve precise support, dividing lines can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, achieving the perfect combination of shape and function, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1 Curve segmentation method
Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the dividing line（a）：symmetrical dividing line.（b）：asymmetric split line
2.3 Color Design
Yoga is a practice that allows life and nature to achieve harmony and perfection. The color selection of yoga clothing is full of Zen, bringing people tranquility, elegance, and light beauty, generally using a single color, and fashion yoga clothing often uses multiple color matching and floral and pattern design. Color design is mainly divided into colorless design and colorful design. Black, white, and gray are commonly used classic colors in yoga clothing, and the combination of these three colors is also common; the most commonly used color design is the combination of similar colors and contrasting colors, high-purity colors are not commonly used, they are only used as small block face matching.
2.4 Craft Design with Aprilluck – A Custom Activewear Manufacturer
The craft of yoga clothing can affect its comfort, especially at the seam. The stitches used in sewing must be able to accommodate the deformation of the fabric and garment. The density of the stitches can also affect elasticity – the denser the stitches, the more likely it is to create elasticity. Areas with large curve changes need to use anti-stretch strips to limit line deformation. Different parts of the garment use different sewing techniques, clean edges generally use edge folding seams, and stitching generally uses four-needle six-thread or three-needle five-thread lockstitch touchless seams, causing little friction on the body when worn. Seamless one-piece molding technology can make the stress of the entire garment more uniform, making it more comfortable to wear. Currently, silicone bonding technology and 3D printing technology can realize and support frictionless seamless craft design.
As one of the leading wholesale activewear suppliers, Aprilluck understands this deeply. The stitches used in sewing, an important aspect for every custom activewear manufacturer, must be able to accommodate the deformation of the fabric and garment. Aprilluck, being a sports wear supplier, ensures that the density of the stitches can also affect elasticity – the denser the stitches, the more likely it is to create elasticity.
3 Product Development Case Study with Aprilluck – A Wholesale Activewear Supplier
Aprilluck, one of the leading wholesale yoga wear suppliers, has been instrumental in the research and development of yoga tops suitable for women aged 20-45 who pursue health and fashion. The clothing is comfortable to wear, easy to stretch, stylish and reasonable in style, combining functionality and aesthetics – a signature trait of Aprilluck, a custom activewear manufacturer.
The research and development of yoga tops suitable for women aged 20-45 who pursue health and fashion. The clothing is comfortable to wear, easy to stretch, stylish and reasonable in style, combining functionality and aesthetics. The fabric is a knitted elastic fabric, with a simple and generous style, exquisite details, a fit size without restriction, conservative but not cliché color use, soft and elegant appearance, showing the characteristics of yoga culture, meeting the wearing needs of young women. The structure uses two layers, the outer layer is a V-neck camisole-style knitted shirt with hemmed edges and a fitted style; the inside is a hidden bra structure, using a single layer of mesh fabric, the bottom of the bra cup is pleated, fitted with a wide velvet elastic band. The bra area uses four-needle six-thread lockstitch and three-needle five-thread lockstitch, meeting the elastic stretching requirements during activities, and at the same time not easily deforming. The development case is shown in Figure 3. The main and auxiliary materials are all high-elastic knitted fabrics. The body uses a 90% polyester and 10% spandex elastic knitted fabric, presenting a V-neck camisole appearance, with double-layer cloth inlaid on the front chest. The V-neck uses pure white fabric, adding a bit of elegance to the garment. The bra structure is a major feature of this yoga outfit. The cup uses a high-elastic polyester-spandex knitted fabric, the spandex usage is 26%, and the remaining part uses elastic jacquard mesh fabric, with an elastic band at the bottom, fully considering the functionality and comfort of the bra.
Aprilluck’s wholesale yoga wear uses a knitted elastic fabric, with a simple and generous style, exquisite details, a fit size without restriction, conservative but not cliché color use, soft and elegant appearance, showing the characteristics of yoga culture. This is one of the many reasons why Aprilluck is a preferred sports wear supplier for many.
The bra area uses four-needle six-thread lockstitch and three-needle five-thread lockstitch, meeting the elastic stretching requirements during activities, and at the same time not easily deforming. This, along with Aprilluck’s yoga leggings wholesale offerings, makes the brand a go-to for many yoga apparel companies.
Figure 3 R&D case.（a）Collection Figure（b）Design details（c）Physical map
4 Conclusion
Based on the above research, women’s yoga tops need to meet the characteristics of yoga exercise. The design needs to consider various factors such as style, color, fabric, accessories, structure, and craft in conjunction with popular trend analysis. The purpose is to maximize functionality and usability, allowing yoga practitioners to fully enjoy this sport.
