What to Wear to Pilates: Grip, Cover, Move
Designed in Scottsdale, Arizona
Grip.Cover.
Move.What to wear to Pilates
Wear high rise leggings, a fitted bra or top that stays put when you flip, and grip socks. Skip anything loose, zippered or slippery. That outfit works on a reformer, a mat and in a barre room.
The test is simple. Every piece has to stay exactly where you put it for 50 minutes. If you adjust a waistband or tug a hem, you are not doing Pilates, you are managing your clothes.
Grip: start from the floor up
Your bottoms do the most work. A high rise holds through roll downs and leg circles. Look for no front seam, medium compression and a waistband that does not fold. Longer hems also keep reformer straps and springs off bare skin.
Check the fabric before you buy. Run the three move squat test in good light, and read why leggings roll down at the waist so you can spot the fix. These are our women's leggings, all in stock in S, M and L.
High waisted, medium compression, no front seam. Buttery soft in mint.
$75
Squat proof, high waisted and ultra soft, with pockets. Studio to errands.
$75
Adjustable tie waist, no front seam, resists pilling. Warm brown.
$75Cover: the top half
Fitted wins. An instructor cannot correct your spine or ribs under a loose tee, and a loose tee falls over your face in a roll up. Pilates is low impact, so light support is enough. Pick a bra with straps that stay put and a top that sits close to your ribs, like a top with a built in bra.
Not sure what support you need? Our guide to sports bra support levels matches bra to workout. If straps creep, see why a sports bra rides up.
Light support with an X strap. Right for low impact floor work.
$48
Built in bra with removable pads and a tailored fit. Navy.
$48Move: what changes by class
| Class | Feet | Bottoms | Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reformer | Grip socks, usually required | Full length leggings | Shorts and loose hems that catch on straps |
| Mat | Grip socks or bare feet | High rise leggings | Slippery fabric and zippers on your back |
| Barre | Grip socks | Leggings, ankle length | Heavy hoodies mid class |
Studio rules vary, so confirm with the front desk. Wear tonal colors if you want to look pulled together on a mirrored wall. Our guide to one color outfits shows how.
Studios run cold, parking lots do not
A Scottsdale studio runs cold while the lot outside sits at 88 at noon in October. Bring one layer you can drop in a bag. A beige hoodie goes over everything and covers sweat on the walk out.
Mid weight, pre shrunk, unisex fit. For the cold room and the drive home.
$98
Light support, X strap, mint to match the Luna Legging.
$48Three outfits, one click each
Every kit below is in stock in S, M and L. One click puts the whole outfit in your cart. For more on matching sets, start there.
The mint set
Matching bra and legging. The easiest class outfit.
Luna Bra Mint, Luna Legging Mint. Total $123 before any discount.
The blush set
Soft and tonal. Easy to restyle with a beige hoodie.
Luna Bra Blush, Luna Legging Blush. Total $123 before any discount.
The studio to street set
Black base with a beige hoodie on top.
Luna Bra Black, Tiffany Legging Black, Hayden Hoodie Beige. Total $221 before any discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear leggings to Pilates?
Yes. Leggings are the standard Pilates bottom. Choose a high rise pair with no front seam and medium compression so the waistband stays put through rolls, bridges and inversions.
Do you need grip socks for Pilates?
Most reformer studios require grip socks, and many mat classes ask for them too. Check your studio, then bring your own pair so you are not paying for a loaner.
What color should you wear to Pilates?
Wear a color that does not show effort or stretch. Black, mint, blush and brown all work. Pick tonal pieces so the instructor can read your lines from across the room.
Should you wear a sports bra or a top to Pilates?
Wear a sports bra with a fitted top, or a fitted top with a built in bra. Pilates is low impact, so you need coverage and straps that stay put more than maximum compression.
Are shorts okay for Pilates?
Shorts work for mat classes but are a poor fit on a reformer, where straps and springs touch your legs. Full length leggings are the safer pick.
Ready to gear up?
Tailored, four way stretch pieces designed in Scottsdale. Free shipping over $75.
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