Few workouts have amassed as devout a fanbase as pilates. It emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness, making it ideal for all fitness levels. And despite the workout’s low-impact, controlled movements and precise postures, the results are iconically high impact (let Lori Harvey’s now-viral clip on TikTok serve as context).
Though pilates has been around since the early 20th century, its popularity has been notably revived in recent years. Celebrity fans like Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Aniston sing its praises, new pilates studios and instructors with cult-like followings have surged, and several athletic brands are now centering activewear for the practice into its collections.
Vogue’s Pilates Essentials:
Featured in this article
FP Movement All Clear cami
See More
Alo Airlift leggings
See More
“Pilates fashion can be fun as you have more versatility in wearing different styles, since the workout is not as high-impact as a high-intensity class,” Liana Levi, founder of referral-only studio Forma Pilates, says. Whether you’re just now cultivating a pilates practice or are a longtime devotee, an activewear refresh is always in order. Ahead, discover the best pilates clothing and accessories, from breathable leggings to grippy socks.
In This Article:
What to Wear to Pilates
Matching Sets
For a workout look that’s both polished and easy to put together, the matching set will always reign supreme. If you’re interested in a fresh silhouette, Literary Sport’s take on the capri-length legging is exceptionally chic. Otherwise, a timeless sports bra and long legging duo will never go out of style.
Tops and Tees
Your favorite workout tops already make for great Pilates clothes—just avoid anything that restricts your range of motion. Ideally, choose a top that balances form and function, tailored to your body type and comfort. You can opt for a sports bra (à la this longline cami from Free People) or something that feels more like a T-shirt or crop top. Splits59, Beyond Yoga, and 437 all offer compelling silhouettes.
Bottoms
“You don’t want anything too tight or low-waisted,” says Jacqui Kingswell, founder of The Pilates Class online platform. “It’s all about feeling comfortable.” A high-waist legging design in a soft fabric with a stretchy fit would be ideal for medium-to-high impact workouts. Not into a long legging? Short styles and biker shorts are excellent for pilates, too. Look for compressive and lightweight options that won’t ride up during your workout.
Jumpsuits and Unitards
Instead of mixing activewear separates, a onesie made from buttery-soft fabric that comes with a built-in bra simplifies workout dressing. (Those who usually wear leggings might prefer jumpsuits cropped at the ankle.) There are also rompers in biker-length silhouettes for those who run warm—you can’t go wrong with this sleek Alo Yoga design.
Zip-Ups and Cardis
As with any workout, keeping your muscles warm will help with flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. Slip into a cozy zip-up or cardigan to wear en route and after pilates. For a sleek and slouchy silhouette, Reach for separates you can effortlessly toss over your workout look (think: cashmere sweaters, like this inky black one from Goop’s G. Label, and boxy sweatshirts, like these from Lululemon and Varley).
Socks
If you’re heading to a Pilates studio or prefer not to work out barefoot, Los Angeles–based certified Pilates instructor Kim Carruthers recommends keeping a pair of grippy socks handy; their performance grips on the soles prevent slipping, while the comfortable, breathable fabric keeps your feet feeling comfy.
Footwear to Get There
A comfortable pair of shoes that’s easy to slip on and off in a crowded cubby corner is the unsung hero of any workout repertoire—whether it’s your trusted Birkenstocks, clogs, or a pair of streamlined sneakers.
What You Need for an At-Home Routine
Can’t make it to the studio? Our experts say you can easily practice Pilates at home using just your body weight or with simple fitness accessories. “First, invest in a good mat,” says Carruthers. “Ideally, it should be non-slip and thicker than a traditional yoga mat.”
Taylor Phillips, a yoga and pilates instructor who helped design the Equinox Pilates Rise class, recommends props like the magic circle, light weights, and resistance bands to enhance your workout. “These tools mimic the feeling of studio equipment and effectively build strength and improve mobility around major joints,” she explains. That said, there’s no pressure—your body weight alone is often enough, especially for beginners.
Everything Else You Need to Know
What does pilates do for your body?
Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates (yes, the name comes from a real person) in the early 20th century for rehabilitation, centered around the core principles of balance, precision, and control. Today, its purpose is simpler: “Pilates lengthens and strengthens your muscles for a longer, leaner physique,” says Levi. This targeting of small muscles and emphasis on form plays a defining role in the workout’s effectiveness. For this reason, it’s also a strong complement to a variety of other workouts, if you’re not willing to part with your running ritual or yoga routine: “If your goal is overall strength, flexibility and mobility it can be your main workout, though I always advocate for adding in some walking or light cardio in addition to your Pilates workouts,” Phillips adds.
For Carruthers, pilates isn’t just a workout—it’s more of a discipline. “It’s a mind-body exercise practice,” she says. “When you think ‘practice,’ you understand that it’s something you should be able to do for a lifetime.” What’s more: she says the practice can aid in various forms of rehabilitation from post-op recovery to pre-and post-pregnancy healing.
“Once you start taking [the practice] consistently, you’ll begin to feel a deep connection with the body on and off the mat,” says Kingswell. Regardless of what method of pilates you’re practicing (mat and reformer pilates are the most popular), Levi notes you’ll see comparable improvement in core activation, flexibility, strength, posture, and overall body awareness. “Performing the movements on a reformer can require more stability and you also have access to the machine itself that introduces more resistance than doing a mat workout,” she adds. “With that said, you can mimic exercises and movement patterns from the reformer on the mat by using resistance bands and light weights.”
How often should you do pilates?
All of our experts agree that pilates seamlessly complements other exercises too, like cardio, weightlifting, or yoga. For an intensive workout, Kingswell recommends practicing pilates four to five times per week; otherwise, incorporating it two to three times is amazing for beginners. As for how long you can see results: “Within a week, people are starting to feel muscles they may not have felt before and it just gets deeper from there,” Kingswell explains. Per Carruthers, after 30 sessions, you can expect to literally feel that your body has increased mobility—or what she calls having a different body. And if you ask us, a new outfit serves as plenty motivation to get started.
