Ramping up: Men’s yoga wear growing exponentially

Prana has long been known for its colorful patterns, durable yoga and climbing wear, and sustainable mindset. Now, more focus is shifting to the men’s yoga department.

“The men’s line is growing at a faster rate than the women’s,” said Rhonda Michaels, senior merchandiser manager for the men’s line and accessories. “Guys have taken more interest in what they wear to yoga. Plus, women are also taking interest and buying pieces for their significant others.”

Though you won’t see wild prints in the men’s line, rich, deep colors will show up in Prana’s spring and fall 2014 lines. That will include deep jades and inky blues for the spring season, and bold teals and rich coco and mahogany for the fall.

The third-piece layering trend extends to men’s yoga wear as well. “They’re as popular with the men as with the women,” Michaels said. “You really can do anything in yoga clothes.”

To accommodate the growing trend, Prana is focusing on crossover pieces with integrated fabrics. “We’re taking technical fabrics and blending them with lifestyle silhouettes to make styles that are more versatile.” Like the Throttle Tank: It has a lifestyle silhouette with a cotton/poly blend but with a longer length to stay put when inverted in yoga class. Or the Porter Crew, a wool/poly blend with mesh panels to increase ventilation for sweaty sessions. The Flex Short, a wicking, lined piece, will come with a shorter, eight-inch inseam to accommodate more movement in yoga and other exercise.

Last year, Prana rolled out a bounty of swim options for both men and women, which added even more options for the hot yoga crowd and resulted in a “huge increase in sales,” Michaels said.