“Pilates is resistance training with your body but also learning and connecting more so with the mind-muscle connection,” says Emi Gutgold, CPT, CFSC, a New York City-based Pilates instructor. It also helps you figure out how to breathe properly as you exercise, adds Lanae Rhodes, CPT, a certified Pilates instructor at SLT in New York City.

If you’re totally overwhelmed by the trendy matching sets that are all over Instagram, I totally get it. But figuring out what to wear to Pilates is easier than you think.

Meet the experts: Emi Gutgold, CPT, CFSC, is a New York City-based Pilates instructor who teaches independently and at Alo. Lanae Rhodes, CPT, is a certified Pilates instructor at SLT in New York City.

Ahead, find some great instructor-approved options for tops, bottoms, and everything else to wear to your next Pilates class.

What to wear to Pilates:

What is the best thing to wear to Pilates?

There are a couple of things you should prioritize when looking for a Pilates ‘fit.

First of all, find a form-fitting outfit “so your instructor can see where your body is,” Gutgold explains. “We do get quite granular—we want to be able to see your pelvis, we want to be able to see your ribs.” Your second priority should be dressing comfortably, Rhodes adds.

If you’re wondering if there’s a difference between what you should wear to reformer versus mat Pilates, there’s not. However, you’ll def want to wear bottoms with stretchy fabric so your body will be free to move throughout class. And JSYK, you can wear either leggings or shorts to Pilates—it’s up to your personal preference, Gutgold and Rhodes say. But if you’re taking a reformer class and you don’t want your skin to rub on the leather of the equipment, feel free to go with leggings. Either way, you’ll want to make sure your leggings aren’t see-through (hi, squat-proof material—polyester, nylon, and spandex).

Tops

There are tons of options when it comes to picking a top for Pilates, from sports bras to t-shirts. However, it’s most important that you choose a top based on what you’re the most comfortable in, and if it’s form-fitting, that’s a plus for your instructor to see your form. What you choose to wear is largely individual; Rhodes recommends checking out a classic Nike sports bra. “They just tend to fit well for me,” she says. “They have a lot of different styles.”

Gutgold, on the other hand, prefers the Alo Airlift Intrigue bra, which is “awesome, especially if you like something that’s a little bit more cropped and something that will show off more skin a little bit more,” Gutgold says. Plus, it has adjustable straps.

Alo Yoga Wild Thing Bra

Alala Seamless Crop Tank

Nike Victory Compression Sports Bra

Eleven by Venus Williams Love Buzz Tank

Alo Yoga Airlift Intrigue Bra

ICONI Crop Top

Now 60% Off

Bottoms

When shopping for bottoms to wear to Pilates, you should look for whichever fabric you think you’ll be most comfortable wearing if you’re doing a mat class. If you’re taking a reformer class, “avoid materials that are shiny as they might can make you feel more prone to slips,” Rhodes says, and go for a moisture-wicking material with stretch, like a nylon/spandex blend.

You can go with the Alo 7/8 High-Waist Airlift legging, backed by both Gutgold and myself for how soft and stretchy they are, or the Lululemon Align leggings, which are a cult-favorite for a reason. Gutgold also recommends the Outdoor Voices TechSweat 6″ shorts. “If you are someone who kind of likes that feeling of really being corseted in your leggings through that waistband, they are an excellent choice, because that waistband is very snatched,” she says.

Lululemon Align Hi-Rise Pant 25″

Joja Level Up Shorts

Now 50% Off

YEAR OF OURS Ribbed Football Legging

Rochelle Porter Design High-Waisted Shorts

Outdoor Voices TechSweat 6″ Shorts

Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Legging

Jumpsuits And Unitards

Jumpsuits, unitards, and onesies aren’t just for dancers—they’re amazing for all types of workouts. They’re perfect to wear to Pilates because it allows your instructor to see your whole bod, plus, they’re helpful if you’re annoyed by shirts or sports bras riding up during exercises, Rhodes and Gutgold explain.

Rhodes adores the LOVESOFT Sleeveless Bodysuit unitard, saying, “It’s butter on your body—it feels just like perfection.”

The Alo Airbrush Real onesie is a solid pick, recommended by Gutgold. “It’s a racer back and it’s amazing,” she says. “They also have a built-in bra with it that actually is supportive and it has the removable cups, so if you wanna loop them in, it gives you a little extra oomph.”

LOVESOFT Sleeveless Bodysuit Unitard

Lululemon Align Bodysuit 6″

Now 30% Off

Alo Yoga Airbrush Real Onesie

Alo Yoga Alosoft Suns Out Onesie

OQQ Ribbed One-Shoulder Jumpsuit

Amiliashp Tank Top Bodysuit

Grip Socks

Grips socks *might* be a little controversial in the Pilates space—some prefer to do Pilates barefoot while others like wearing socks. If your studio requires you to wear socks, check out Tavi, Rhodes says. “They’re thick enough that you feel like you have a good sock on, but not too thick where it feels uncomfortable on your feet,” she says. The other socks here are highly-rated on Amazon, making them solid bets as well.

TAVI NOIR Non-Slip Socks

Alo Yoga Throwback Barre Sock

Ozaiic Non-Slip Grip Socks

Now 20% Off

Breslatte Grip Socks

WANZHIHUI Non-Slip Pilates Socks

Now 24% Off

Breslatte Non-Slip Socks

Accessories

Last but not least are the accessories. Both Gutgold and Rhodes recommend Bala bangles if you want to add some extra weight to your wrists or ankles in style. Bala also makes a great cushiony mat, Gutgold says: “It is incredible,” she says. “It is thick enough if you’re someone especially who’s a little bit bonier and all of that articulated work and Pilates really bothers your spine,” she says. If you need some hair accessories, I swear by Slip’s scrunchies and wear them every time I need to pull my hair back in a ponytail, and you can’t go wrong with a headband, either.

Bala Bangles

HAUCA Headbands

Now 22% Off

Bala The Play Mat Plus

Now 45% Off

SLIP Silk Scrunchies

Sukeen Cooling Towels

Now 23% Off

ProBody Pilates Ring Circle

Now 37% Off

How Our Team Chose The Best Items To Wear To Pilates

For one week, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated items. Our team consulted Emi Gutgold, CPT, CFSC, and Lanae Rhodes, CPT, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best items for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Addison Aloian (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. When she’s not writing about all things pop culture, health, beauty, and fashion, she loves hitting leg day at the gym, shopping at Trader Joe’s, and watching whichever hockey game is on TV. Her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.