What do I wear to tai chi? And work.

March 26, 2024 2:32 PM

I'm starting a tai chi class tomorrow. It's in the middle of my work day. What do I wear? Do I need to change? Or is it possible to wear the same clothes?

I'm hitting 60, cis female, overweight, usually wear a somewhat boho interpretation of casual business clothing - lots of flowy cardigans or big sweaters and scarves with leggings and skirts or dresses. I work in college administration; there's no dress code. I've never done tai chi before and have no idea what I should plan to wear or if I'm going to get all sweaty. If I can get away with one outfit for work and tai chi, that would be ideal, but I can change if I need to. I do have some wide leg flowy pants, could I do that and a cotton shirt?

posted by mygothlaundry to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (10 answers total)

Tai Chi is usually no more cardiovascularly strenuous than a walk. Over time, you'll be able to hold lower stronger poses and you might feel some muscle soreness now and then, but it's rather rare to work up a sweat. I'm usually a very sweaty person, and in basic tai chi, I don't sweat at all.
posted by advicepig at 2:39 PM on March 26, 2024 [3 favorites]

Wide-leg flowy pants and a comfy *knit* cotton shirt sounds like the perfect uniform - there are a lot of arm movements in tai chi, so I’d avoid button-ups or other non-stretchy shirts that ride up or restrict when you lift your arms. Hope the class is fun!
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 2:59 PM on March 26, 2024 [9 favorites]

Wear comfortable sneakers, loose pants, and a loose top. You'll need to be able to move, but it won't be so fast that you'll need sportswear.
posted by davidwitteveen at 3:00 PM on March 26, 2024 [1 favorite]

Any clothes where you can move through all/most of your full range of motion (twist torso, windmill arms, high step) should be fine. Have fun!
posted by mskyle at 3:01 PM on March 26, 2024 [2 favorites]

Sounds like you'll be fine, but for the first time I'd bring at least a spare top to change into afterwards in case you need to. (Probably not a bad thing to have at work in general.)
posted by trig at 4:03 PM on March 26, 2024 [1 favorite]

I've practiced Tai Chi on and off for 50 years. davidwitteveen is mostly correct and trig's suggestion of a spare top is good. I'd add that cotton or other natural fabric is best, and I highly recommend searching for footwear specifically for Tai Chi.

posted by Scout405 at 7:15 PM on March 26, 2024 [1 favorite]

Link to info about Tai Chi footwear
posted by Scout405 at 7:16 PM on March 26, 2024

Comfortable, loose (or non-constricting) clothes that you can move in work well. The flowy pants and cotton shirt sound fine. I think rrrrrrrrrt also makes a good point about avoiding button-ups and shirts that ride up /restrict.
posted by aielen at 9:21 PM on March 26, 2024

Some might want to be intentional about their bra selection. Tai Chi isn't done quickly, but there are direction changes.

Depending on where you are practicing, it's possible that going barefoot will be an option. I think it would be easier to do tai chi in comfortable ballet flats (or Keds or Toms, or other barefoot shoes) than super grippy anti pronation sneakers, but if super grippy anti pronation sneakers is what you have... that will be fine for your first class.
posted by oceano at 10:11 PM on March 26, 2024 [2 favorites]

Any comfortable clothes will be fine, as everyone says. Sometimes tai chi teachers have their preferences of course, which they'll tell you.

Having done tai chi for decades I'd just like to add that teachers differ, and if you don't hit it off with the teacher in the class you're starting it's worth trying another. It took me several tries to find "my" teacher. With the right teacher tai chi can be wonderful.
posted by anadem at 6:48 AM on March 27, 2024 [1 favorite]