Practice Wear: What Fabric is Best For Your Workout?

When it comes to practice wear, there are dozens of style options. But, just as important as looking good is feeling good. There are a number of popular fabrics used for cheerleading practice wear. While they all have their pluses and minuses, each works best for different types of workouts and weather. Whichever fabric and style you choose, make sure it fits well, is comfortable, and is made for movement. Cotton Lightweight and breathable, cotton is a great option if you don’t want anything too tight and prefer a looser fit. Most graphic tees and tanks are cotton. On the other hand, cotton isn’t the best pick if you prefer a smoother fit that conforms to the body. Also, when choosing a cotton shirt or short, feel the fabric, if possible. Some cottons can be very stiff, which you don’t want. Look for a cotton that has some stretch so it will be more comfortable. If you prefer practicing in a cotton shirt and/or short, make sure they aren’t too loose. It’s fine if you don’t want them to be tight, but if they’re too loose, you can get a limb caught in the extra fabric, which can cause you to make a mistake. For cotton practice wear, we love pairing Chasse graphic tees or tanks with Soffe knit shorts. Lycra Stretchable and body conforming, Lycra is geared for athletic wear, especially cheer gear, which should be comfortable and flexible, but not loose. We love this fabric because it provides a lot of stretch, but conforms to the body. This fabric is ideal for cheerleaders who are advanced tumblers and perform a lot of group stunts. The body conforming fabric means there’s no chance of a foot or arm getting caught in loose fabric. If you’re not as comfortable wearing tight clothing, you may prefer cotton options, rather than Lycra. For Lycra practice wear, we love the zebra print and metallic print options from Chasse, with matching shorts! Poly/Spandex Tight and fitted, Poly/Spandex supports extreme activity, and is usually found in pieces worn under practice wear, like sports bras. Many brands, like Chasse and Soffe, have created entire practice wear collections made with this fabric, and are made to be sweat-wicking, which means it keeps you cooler and dryer than other fabrics. This fabric is best for cheerleaders performing advanced routines and tumbling. The fit is very similar to Lycra but is made to protect more against moisture buildup. Like Lycra, however, the fit is tighter than cotton. We love these shorts and capris from Soffe and this sports bra and matching racerback from Chasse. What’s your go-to practice wear fabric?