Not sure what to wear to Pilates? Here is exactly what you should wear (and what not to wear) to a Pilates class if you are a beginner or expert. In my try-on video below, I show you affordable Pilates apparel and put them through a 3-exercise test so you can see how they perform during actual Pilates exercises you’d find yourself doing at home or in a Pilates studio. I also rate each item for comfort, style, and cost and give you my honest feedback. The awesome part is you can find all of these best workout clothes on Amazon!
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Hey Pilates Queens!
Kayla Brugger here, your certified Pilates instructor of PILATESBODY by Kayla. Okay, so you have officially committed to your first Pilates class — Congratulations! But now, what to wear to it? In this blog post and try-on video, I’ve got your back on those “what to wear” dilemmas for your Pilates class!
Join me for a Best of Pilates Amazon Activewear Haul as I share with you my top Pilates outfits based on comfort, style and cost. These outfits will keep you feeling confident, comfortable, and supported during your Pilates workouts at home or in the studio. I have personally worn, washed, and Pilates-tested all of these sets! All thoughts, opinions and reviews are my own.
As a Pilates instructor for 10+ years, I have seen it all. Not all material is squat-proof, or in this case, Pilates-proof. Because, let’s be honest, there is nothing worse than finding out your Pilates leggings don’t pass the see-through test and roll down during exercises. Or equally worse, your Pilates tank with built-in bra does anything but give support and makes you feel self-conscious. Not all Pilates clothes are created equal and what you wear to class is important for making sure you are getting the most out of your workout.
And to be honest, Pilates clothes don’t have to be JUST for Pilates class! I am all for affordable athletic wear that can also double as athleisure wear. I love it when you can layer a Pilates outfit with items such as a loose sweater, denim shirt, or jean jacket and be ready for a lunch date! Sometimes we have to run straight from our workout to meet up with friends, run errands, or pick up the kids from soccer practice. Our best clothes for Pilates often become our best clothes for daily life tasks and activities and they have to be comfortable, affordable, and stylish.
In order to maintain your mind-body connection as you are sculpting and toning, it is important to be wearing the right workout outfit to limit wardrobe distractions. During a Pilates class, your body will be engaged in a series of controlled, precise movements aimed at improving flexibility, strength, and overall body awareness. Your muscles will be actively contracting and lengthening as you perform various exercises, often focusing on the core muscles. Proper alignment and posture are crucial, and your body will constantly work to maintain stability and balance.
Wearing the right Pilates apparel is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it allows for unrestricted movement, ensuring that you can execute each exercise with precision. Secondly, the right attire can wick away moisture, keeping you comfortable as you sweat through the rigorous workout. Lastly, well-fitted clothing can help instructors assess your form and alignment, providing you with valuable feedback to enhance your practice and prevent injury. Ultimately, choosing appropriate Pilates attire contributes to a more effective and enjoyable workout experience. Keep scrolling for all your Pilates must-haves from PILATESBODY by Kayla — then put them to the test with a class.
When attending a Pilates class, it’s essential to wear comfortable and functional clothing that allows for a wide range of movement. Here are some recommendations for what to wear to Pilates class:
Remember that Pilates often involves lying on your back, so it’s important that your clothing and accessory choices don’t reveal more than you’re comfortable with. Ultimately, your attire should allow you to move freely, maintain good form, and feel comfortable throughout your Pilates session. Always check with your specific Pilates studio for any dress code or equipment requirements they may have. Many studios require grip socks.
To have a safe and effective Pilates session, it is important to avoid wearing certain types of clothing and accessories that can hinder your movement, cause discomfort, or potentially pose safety risks. Here is a list of what not to wear to Pilates class:
Ultimately, the goal in Pilates is to have clothing that allows for unrestricted movement, support for proper form, and enhances your overall comfort and focus. Always check with your specific Pilates studio for any dress code or equipment requirements they may have, as policies can vary from one place to another.
These affordable Pilates clothes are so good and budget friendly that I had to share them with you! One of the perks about Pilates at home is you can try anything in private, and pretty much risk free, with minimal financial investment. Keep scrolling for all your must-have Pilates outfits from PILATESBODY by Kayla — then put them to the test with a class.
As a Pilates beginner, you will be very focused on how your body is moving and engaging during your workout so you want to make sure your apparel is not going to hinder your concentration or flow of movements. It is recommended to wear fitted clothing you are most comfortable in so you can see how your body is moving and not be distracted by your apparel.
According to Pilates Digest, “You get the best Pilates workout while barefoot. Not wearing anything on your feet will not just allow you to get the right foot alignment but it also allows you to make direct contact with the mat which can make you feel more secure.”
If you prefer to wear something on your feet for hygiene or comfort reasons, you can use grip socks designed specifically for Pilates. Grip socks are a popular choice as they allow you to maintain a connection with the equipment while providing a layer of protection and comfort.
Note: There may be certain instances where athletic shoes are required for Pilates, such as if you are participating in a Pilates Challenge with quick moving circuits that utilize gliding discs or booty resistance bands while standing. But shoes are not a typical requirement for studio Pilates classes.
You can find affordable Pilates clothes at a variety of places. Some options to consider are shopping at discount retailers (like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls), second hand / thrift stores (like thredUP, Poshmark, Goodwill), or online retailers that offer a wide range of affordable Pilates clothing brands and styles with fast shipping (like Amazon). You can shop all of my top Pilates apparel listed below on Amazon. Each item listed is what I personally own and wear, wash, and highly recommend based on functionality, comfort, style, and price.
* See this tank top in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
An amazing Amazon dupe for the Lululemon Align Tank, if you love that buttery soft feel! One thing I like to point out about this Gym People Tank Top is it’s not super supportive for high-impact exercise, like running, but it is simply perfect for low-impact exercise such as Pilates workouts and yoga. It is very easy to put on and take off, and comes in lots of colors. Overall this Gym People Workout Crop Top Tank passes the Pilates test. Amazingly soft, comfortable, enough support for Pilates, and allows you to move freely. I highly recommend this athletic tank top for Pilates comfort, style, and cost.
* See this legging in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
Your Lululemon Align Pocket Legging for a fraction of the cost! The material of the Gym People leggings is super soft, like the align, but is silky, shiny material and non-compressive. I just like to point that out, as I am the type of girl that likes to be comfortable and fluid and not hugged in. These leggings have dual pockets to hold items like your cell phone. The waistband width is a little thinner, and can roll down while performing Pilates rolling exercises, but you will find that with any leggings that you wear so it is not a deal breaker. Overall, these Gym People High-Waisted Leggings pass the Pilates test. Super comfortable, everything stays in place, and very fluid for being able to move through all of the exercises. I highly recommend these leggings for Pilates comfort and style.
* See this set in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
This Amazon 2-piece workout set comes in 30 different color options. I love that it is a ribbed-like material and incredibly stretchy. The length of the shorts is awesome and I feel super confident wearing this set — I’ve received so many compliments while wearing this outfit! There are no pockets in this set, so if you are wearing this outfit running errands you will need to grab your favorite fanny pack and bring that with you. Check out my go-to-fanny pack that is stylish and is super easy to wear as a cross-body bag. This 2-piece workout set absolutely passes the Pilates test. After performing the 3 exercise test, the shorts did ride up a bit and bunching up, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a quick little adjustment. I did size up in this set so that is maybe why I am experiencing this effect. The top is perfect for doing exercises face down on your belly or a tabletop position. Because of the high neckline everything is kept in place and comfortable.
* See this tank top in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
I love this athletic tank top for Pilates class! I will say this tank top is a little bit boxy on me with my shorter torso. But I did buy it in a bigger size because I do like to do a little tie at the bottom of the shirt with the extra fabric. The shirt fabric could be a little better quality, but for the price it is perfect — Super soft materials and functional. Overall, this Amazon workout tank top absolutely passes the Pilates test. With the knot tied in the shirt, you can see how the shirt didn’t get in the way during the 3 exercise test. I love this tank top paired with the biker shorts below for Pilates class, but it is also super stylish and something I would wear out to meet mom friends, run errands, or even wear out to lunch pairing it with a loose sweater or a denim shirt (see my video for a visual!)
* See these biker shorts in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
I am obsessed with these Amazon athletic biker shorts! They have dual pockets for holding all of the essentials. These biker shorts have a 6-inch inseam, which I have found is the perfect length for me and my athletic build. They are super soft and they don’t ride up or slip down. Overall, these biker shorts definitely pass the Pilates test, and when paired with the Amazon athletic tank top above, it makes a perfect outfit to wear to Pilates class, or to wear out with friends or running errands! I love pairing this outfit with a denim jacket or baggy sweater.
* See this athletic romper bodysuit in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
Workout bodysuits are all the rage right now, and I was super skeptical on trying them. And, there was no way I was going to spend a fortune on one from lululemon, so I snagged this one off of Amazon. Super inexpensive to give it a try, and I am so obsessed with it! It is so functional for Pilates, and these are probably my absolute most favorite new pieces of Pilates apparel. I love the fabric and it feels like a Lululemon Align Dupe to a “T” — brushed, buttery soft, non-compressive, super fluid. This bodysuit comes in black and many other colors. Its functionality and movement aspects for Pilates was top-notch. Everything stayed in place during the exercise test. The top and criss-cross back detailing are cute and supportive, the straps are very supportive and do not dig into the shoulders and upper trap muscles. I didn’t have to adjust the shorts on this one. I highly recommend this Pilates romper bodysuit!
* See this Amazon workout bodysuit in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
This full-length Pilates workout bodysuit with criss-cross back is the leggings version of the romper bodysuit above — I am obsessed with this outfit! I chose to buy it in the bright blue color, because I love wearing fun colors to Pilates classes, but it also comes in black and other colors too! The material for this full-length workout bodysuit is a perfect Lululemon Align Dupe — buttery soft, supportive, and so comfortable. And the best part is the affordable price compared to LuLulemon. The super cute criss-cross straps and back are supportive and do not dig into your shoulders. I highly recommend giving this Amazon workout bodysuit a try. Step out of your comfort zone, you wont regret it!
* See this Amazon Pilates apparel set in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
I live in Minnesota where the weather can be quite chilly about ¾ of the year. So, I wanted to try out a long sleeve crop top and matching leggings workout set for Pilates class. In my try-on review video at the top of this blog post, you can see that the material of this Amazon workout set is ribbed in the entire outfit, which I love, and actually helps provide a lot of comfortable coverage. This set has a lot of stretch, it’s unreal! I absolutely love the orange color I chose (I love bright colors if you cannot tell already!) but there are more colors to choose from if you prefer something else. The leggings are super comfortable and there is a gusset in the crotch which is helpful for a good fit. But, the leggings do not have pockets, so you are going to need that go-to fanny pack for carrying essentials. The high neckline of the long sleeve crop is comfortable and flattering and does not distract while performing Pilates exercises. Overall, I am really happy with this set especially for the cost and I love the long sleeve as well. After the 3 Pilates exercise test, I am super happy with how this set performed. In my try-on review video at the top, you can see the waistline of the leggings rode down a bit and wrinkled so it needed some minor adjustment, but the top did not move at all and everything stayed in place. The high neck is awesome for Pilates because of all of the forward rolling exercises. I highly recommend this outfit for Pilates!
* See this Amazon fanny pack belt bag in action in my try-on review video at the top! *
Some of my favorite affordable Amazon Pilates apparel do not have pockets, but don’t fret! A solution to no pockets is to simply use a tried-and-true athletic fanny pack cross-body belt bag! You’ll need my go-to fanny pack to bring all of your essentials with you. It is stylish and super easy to wear as a fanny pack or a cross-body belt bag with adjustable straps. This bag is made of durable material, is roomy to fit all of the things you need to bring, has an adjustable strap, and is versatile enough to use for multiple occasions besides Pilates class.
These Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties that you can find on Amazon are cute in your hair and on your wrist! They are perfect for any hair type and any Pilates workout. With lots of colors to choose from, you can match your hair color, match your Pilates apparel outfits, or simply just wear your favorite. These ponytail holders are gentle on your hair and their coil prevents tangling and hair breakage. They also prevent ponytail bumps and headaches by spreading out the pressure between the coils. These are also waterproof and hygienic, easy to remove from wet hair and do not absorb water. My favorite workout hair ties!
Try these fashionable, glittery grip socks at your next Pilates class! They are breathable from the upper mesh panels, and provide a feeling of walking barefoot. Crafted from Coolmax and lycra fabrics, these Pilates grip socks efficiently wick away sweat, ensuring your feet stay cool and dry. The full sole grip ensures stability and strength, keeping you connected to your chosen workout surface. Rest easy knowing the materials used are of premium quality and ethically sourced. And, of course, let’s not forget to mention the adorable sparkles!
There you have it! These are my top affordable at home Pilates apparel picks from Amazon for comfort and style. I hope these Pilates outfits and accessories become your favorite pieces also, and helps you to get started on exactly what to wear to Pilates class.
I also have made a list of my 10 Best Pilates Equipment for At Home Workouts to help you get exactly what you need for starting the best online Pilates classes at home.
If you have any questions about Pilates apparel, or want me to do another unboxing of Amazon try-on haul, drop me a comment below and let me know! If you’d like more Pilates tips, make sure you are subscribed to my Pilates YouTube Channel for Free at home Pilate workouts every week. I’ll see you in the next workout!
Your Friend & Pilates Expert,
Kayla Brugger
Founder of PILATESBODY by Kayla
Founder of PILATESBODY On-Demand
Hi, I'm Kayla Brugger. Certified Pilates Instructor & Minnesota Mama of 2.
