If you’ve ever wondered what to wear to Pilates, you’re not alone. Nobody wants to spend an entire class tugging at leggings, slipping on the reformed or just feeling like you’re wearing the wrong thing. The good news is that Pilates is a low-impact workout, but your clothing choices do matter. The right outfit helps you move comfortably, feel supported and allows instructors to check your form properly throughout the class. In this guide, we’ll cover the essential Pilates outfit checklist, what works best for the different types of classes, and the products we recommend investing in. If you’re looking to build your studio wardrobe, explore our full range of Pilates clothes for studio-ready options.
Here’s our overview of the essentials items you need for Pilates classes; High-waisted leggings dominate Pilates studios, and for good reason. The nature of Pilates means constant movement for exercises like rollovers, bridges, and teaser variations; you want leggings that stay firmly in place without slipping or digging in. A supportive waistband also provides gentle core support and removes the need for constant adjustments mid-class. When shopping for Pilates leggings, prioritise fabrics that are: A common concern for beginners is see-through leggings. Luckily, there’s plenty of options that will ensure you can move confidently through every position. Beyond Yoga’s iconic Spacedye leggings are loved for their ultra-soft feel and dense fabrication making them a reliable choice, while Girlfriend Collective’s compression styles offer a more sculpted fit that many prefer for Reformer classes. For most leg length is a personal preference but it can matter more than you think:The Pilates Clothing Essentials Checklist
Pilates Leggings: Finding Your Perfect Pair
While Pilates is a low-impact workout, support is still important. Most people find that light-support sports bras work perfectly, allowing freedom of movement without compression. However, support needs can be personal. If you have a larger bust, you may prefer a sports bra with a higher level of support depending on the class intensity and your comfort level. The goal should be to feel supported without feeling squeezed or restricted during the deep breathing through movements. Popular Pilates-friendly sports bras include: If you’re attending hot Pilates classes, or practicing in summer, sweat-wicking fabrics are a must and will feel far more comfortable compared to cotton once you start heating up. Some of our favourites include the Nike Zenvy Strappy Light Support Sports Bra, the Girlfriend Collective Paloma Bra Classic and the Sweaty Betty Ultimate Studio Voop Bra. Shop the full range of low-impact sports bras and medium-support sports bras When it comes to Pilates tops, fitted styles work better than loose clothing. Form-fitting clothes help the instructor see your spine alignment, shoulder positioning and core engagement plus loose tops will get in the way or distract you during inversions. The best options include: One practical tip many beginners overlook: avoid very low-cut necklines. Certain Pilates movements involve lying face down or leaning forward, and higher coverage generally feels more secure and comfortable. Our picks include the Vuori Pose Plyo Tank with built-in bra and Sweaty Betty Ultimate Studio Strappy Tank Sports Bras for Pilates: Support Without Restriction
Tops and Tanks: Staying Covered Without Compromise
Grip socks do what they say, small non-slip silicone dots across the soles that give you essential extra traction and balance while you’re using the reformer machines. At some studios, grip socks are mandatory for hygiene and safety reasons so it’s worth checking before you go to your class. Mat Pilates is usually more flexible, with barefoot being the usual expectation, although grip socks can still be worn to provide extra stability and warmth. The good news is that grip socks are relatively inexpensive compared to most activewear, making them an easy upgrade to get you ready for your Pilates class. Many studios sell them at reception so you’ll be covered if you forget yours. Sweaty Betty are our go-to for Pilates socks, and they come in a range of styles from ballet sock, to ankle sock and crew sock. You can browse studio-ready grip socks here Pilates is becoming increasingly popular with men, and the same clothing guidelines apply regardless of gender: fitting clothing works best. Good options include: One thing to avoid? Baggy basketball-style shorts. They tend to shift around during inversions, can feel awkward and distracting during class. The good news is you don’t need special ‘Pilates clothes for men’. High quality yoga or training gear works perfectly well. Our favourites come from Vuori 
Grip Socks: When and Why You Need Them
Pilates Clothing for Men
Now that you've got a clear idea of what you should wear for a Pilates class, let’s take a moment to talk about the equipment you will use. Thankfully, if you’re attending a Pilates class, you should find that the studio provides you with everything you need. However, you may wish to further your Pilates journey in the comfort of your own home. If that’s the case, you will have to buy a few key pieces of gear to help you along the way. The most relaxed dress code of all the types of Pilates classes, comfort and stretch are the main priorities and going barefoot is completely acceptable. We’d recommend a combination of leggings and a form-fitting top or sports bra. Due to the nature of Reformer Pilates, there tends to be stricter clothing expectations. Grip socks are usually mandatory, and form-fitting clothing is particularly important because loose fabrics can catch on springs, straps and moving equipment. High-waisted leggings, or shorts are ideal here for giving you coverage while moving on the carriage. If hot Pilates is your class of choice, temperature is of course the driving factor in your outfit choice. Lightweight, sweat-wicking fabrics are essential, and regulars prefer bike shorts paired with a sports bra or fitted crop top. Other must-haves are: Some sessions can be more vigorous so you may prefer a more supportive bra, our guide to the best high-impact sports bras can help if you want further support. While we don’t like to put in hard and fast rules about what you shouldn’t wear, Pilates is a workout that can be made harder with the wrong choice of clothes. Here’s what we recommend is best avoided: Shoes - leave your shoes at the door and go barefoot or a great pair of grip socks The best outfits for Pilates are comfortable, supportive and distraction-free, allowing you to focus entirely on movement, breathing and mind-body connection.
What to Wear to Different Types of Pilates Classes
Mat Pilates
Reformer Pilates
Hot Pilates
What NOT to Wear to Pilates
No, definitely not. Quality matters here and brands like Girlfriend Collective, Nike and Goodmove all provide affordable options of Pilates clothing. We recommend investing in a good pair of leggings and a light-impact sports bra and then you can upgrade as you commit more time to practice. There is overlap between yoga clothing and Pilates clothing as for both you need pieces that are flexible but still support you. Typically the difference is Pilates clothing tends to be more form-fitting to help the instructor to align your form but if you already have a pair of yoga leggings and light-support sports bra or tank top, you can absolutely wear these for Pilates. No, similarly to yoga, Pilates requires you to free your feet and either go barefoot or wear socks with grip to give you support, particularly when you’re using Reformer machines. In fact, at some Reformer Pilates studios, grip socks are mandatory so it’s worth checking before you go. If you need grip socks, our favourites are by Sweaty Betty. We recommend wearing a pair of high-waisted leggings or shorts designed for yoga or Pilates, a light-support sports bra with or without a slim-fitting tank or t-shirt. A great pair of grip socks and a hair tie and you’re good to go. Yes! Shorts are a highly popular choice when it comes to Pilates outfits. Shorts allow the instructor to see your form and alignment while also leaving you some room to breathe. High-waisted bike shorts tend to work well as they offer both comfort and support but also coverage and won’t ride up. We recommend opting for form-fitting shorts or a 2-in-1 short that has a tight undershort for coverage as you move around. In summary, the right Pilates clothing will support you through your practice, without need for adjustment. Prioritise the essentials - form-fitting, breathable fabrics and stay-put activewear. At The Sports Edit, we stock premium yoga and Pilates brands for every style and budget. Explore our full range of yoga and Pilates clothingFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need expensive Pilates clothes to start?
Can I wear yoga clothes to Pilates?
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Can I wear shorts for Pilates?
Pilates Starter Pack:
