What to Wear to Pilates (and What to Bring)
Wear fitted leggings or shorts, a close-fitting top, and grip socks. Here is what works for reformer, mat, and hot pilates, and what to bring to your class.
Wear fitted, stretchy clothes to pilates: leggings or fitted shorts, a close-fitting top or tank, and a supportive sports bra if you wear one. On your feet, wear grip socks for reformer classes (most studios require them) and bare feet or grip socks for mat classes; never sneakers.
The reason everything should fit close is practical. You spend much of class on your back with your legs in the air, and loose fabric slides up, gets caught in reformer springs, and hides the alignment your instructor is trying to see. Here is the full list, plus what to bring and what to leave at home.
The short list
| Item | What works | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Bottoms | Full or 7/8 leggings, fitted bike shorts, fitted joggers that stay put | Loose running shorts, baggy sweatpants, anything sheer when you bend |
| Top | Fitted tank, tee, or long sleeve; tuck it in or choose a cropped length | Oversized tees that fall over your face when you roll back |
| Bra | Low to medium support sports bra with flat back straps | Thick clasps or hardware on the back (you lie on it) |
| Feet | Grip socks; bare feet on the mat if allowed | Sneakers, plain socks on a reformer |
| Hair | Low pony, braid, or bun at the side or nape | High buns or claw clips (you lie on your head) |
| Extras | Water bottle, small towel | Jewelry, belts, zippers, and anything that can scratch the equipment |
Grip socks: do you really need them?
For reformer classes, almost always. Grip socks have rubber dots or pads on the sole that keep your feet from sliding on the footbar and carriage, and they keep shared equipment cleaner. Many studios make them mandatory. Club Pilates, for example, requires grip socks in every class for health and safety and sells them at the studio. Most independent studios have similar rules, and nearly all sell a pair at the front desk if you forget.
What to look for in a pair:
- Full grip coverage on the sole. Grips only at the ball of the foot can slip when you press with your heels.
- A snug fit. Extra fabric bunches at the toes and twists on the footbar.
- Closed toe or toeless, your choice. Toeless socks let your toes spread for balance. Full socks are warmer, which matters in a cold studio in February.
- Spare pairs. If you go 2 or 3 times a week, buy two or three pairs so you always have a clean one.
For mat classes, many studios let you go barefoot, and yoga-focused studios often prefer it. Grip socks still help on a slick mat, and they are a good idea if you would rather not be barefoot on a shared floor.
Reformer vs mat: small differences in what to wear
Reformer classes
Avoid anything that could catch: drawstrings, long loose tops, dangling jewelry, and zippered pockets that scratch the leather on the carriage and box. Fitted clothes also matter more because you will be in positions like legs-in-straps, where loose shorts are not your friend. If you are new to the machine, read what is reformer pilates before your first class.
Mat classes
You have a little more freedom. A looser tee is fine as long as it stays tucked during roll-ups. Layers help, since many mat classes end with slower work and a stretch, and you will cool off.
Hot pilates
Heated classes call for less fabric and quick-drying material: fitted shorts or thin leggings, a breathable tank or sports bra top, a towel for your mat, and a big water bottle. Grip socks or a grippy mat towel help a lot once you start sweating. Our guide to hot pilates covers the heat itself.
What to bring to pilates class
- Grip socks (or money to buy a pair at the desk)
- A water bottle
- A small towel, mostly for faster formats or heated rooms
- Your own mat, only if the studio asks; most pilates studios provide mats and many prefer their own thicker pilates mats
- A layer for after class if it is cold out. In Portland, Maine that is October through April.
- Booking confirmation and waiver, since many studios ask new clients to sign online before their first class
What to leave behind: shoes go in the cubby, and phones usually go in a bag or locker. Arrive 10 minutes early for your first class so you can sign in, get a quick tour of the equipment, and tell the instructor about any injuries.
Do you need to buy expensive activewear?
No. Any leggings that stay opaque when you bend over and any fitted top will do. Pilates is popular with athleisure brands, and studios often look like a catalog shoot, but nobody is grading your outfit. Spend money on two decent pairs of grip socks before anything else, since they actually affect how the class goes.
A quick test for leggings: do a deep squat in front of a mirror with light behind you. If you can see through them, save them for walking.
What men should wear to pilates
The same principles apply. Fitted athletic shorts with a liner or compression shorts underneath, or fitted joggers, plus a fitted tee or tank. Skip loose basketball shorts: you will spend time on your back with your legs up and in straps. Grip socks are just as required.
Find the right studio, then dress for it
Every studio has its own rules on socks, mats, and arrival times, and they are usually on the new-client page or the booking confirmation. If you are in the Portland, Maine area, our Portland pilates directory lists every studio with addresses and phone numbers, so you can check before your first class. New to the whole thing? Our pilates for beginners guide walks through your first class step by step.
Once you have the gear, the next goal is going back next week. Corvi, our free app, lets you check in after class, keep a streak, and see where your friends are taking classes. It does not book classes; you book with the studio and check in on Corvi.
Common questions
Can I wear regular socks to pilates?
Not on a reformer. Regular socks slide on the footbar and carriage, which is unsafe, and most reformer studios require grip socks. For mat classes, regular socks also slip on the mat, so going barefoot or wearing grip socks works better. If you forget yours, most studios sell grip socks at the front desk.
Do you wear shoes to pilates?
No. Pilates is done in grip socks or bare feet. Wear any shoes you like to get to the studio, then leave them in the cubbies by the door. Sneakers on a reformer or mat would damage equipment and make it harder to feel your feet working, which matters for a lot of pilates exercises.
Can I wear shorts to pilates?
Yes, as long as they are fitted. Bike shorts or shorts with a built-in liner work well. Loose running shorts are a bad choice because you spend much of class on your back with your legs lifted or in straps, and loose shorts ride up or gape. Leggings are the most common choice for that reason.
What should I wear to my first pilates class?
Leggings or fitted shorts, a fitted top, a comfortable sports bra if you wear one, and grip socks. Tie your hair low, skip jewelry, and bring water. Arrive 10 minutes early to sign in and tell the instructor it is your first class. If you do not own grip socks, buy a pair at the studio.
Find your next class: check every studio on our Portland pilates page, or join Corvi free.