What to Wear to Reformer Pilates? The Complete Outfit Guide

Your first reformer class is booked and the question follows naturally: what do you wear to Pilates? And is reformer Pilates any different from the mat? The short answer: you do not need a special outfit, but you do need a considered one. Clothing that moves with you, does not catch on anything and lets your instructor see what your body is doing.

In this guide we walk through the complete Pilates outfit. From your top to your socks, what to leave at home and what belongs in your bag. So you step into the studio like you have been coming for years.

Tops: fitted beats loose

The most important rule for reformer Pilates clothing: choose a top that follows your body. A fitted shirt, a tank top or a sports bra with a fitted long sleeve over it. That is not a style choice but a practical one.

Your instructor is constantly reading your alignment during class. The position of your ribs, your shoulders, the line of your lower back. Under a baggy hoodie none of that is visible, while it is exactly those small corrections that make Pilates effective. The better your teacher can read your posture, the more you get out of the class.

There is a second reason. On the reformer you regularly lie with your legs up or hang in an inverted position. A loose shirt slides towards your face at exactly the moment your hands are needed elsewhere. A fitted top simply stays where it belongs.

As for fabric, something soft with a little stretch feels best. It does not need to be a technical sports fabric, because you sweat differently in Pilates than in a HIIT class. Freedom of movement and comfort come before everything here.

Leggings or trousers: smooth, stretchy and metal-free

Leggings are the standard for reformer Pilates, and not without reason. They move with you, stay in place and show your knees and hips during the exercises. Biker shorts or soft, fitted trousers work fine too; in summer many people actually find them more comfortable.

What to watch out for: zips, buttons and hard details. The reformer has an upholstered carriage that you lie, sit and kneel on. Metal on your clothing presses into your back and damages the machine's upholstery. Jeans or trousers with a zip really do not belong in the studio. Go for high-waisted leggings without thick stitching on the back; they feel best when you work on the carriage.

Grip socks: a house rule in most studios

Bare feet and the reformer do not mix. Almost every studio in the Netherlands asks for grip socks, for two reasons. Hygiene, because you share the machine with the group before and after you. And safety, because on a smooth carriage or footbar you want hold.

Regular socks are more of a risk than a solution on a reformer. Smooth cotton on smooth vinyl slides, exactly when you want to stand firm. Good grip socks have a non-slip pattern from heel to toe and fit closely around your foot, so the sock does not shift while you are trying not to either. Why that matters so much on a reformer is covered in our article on grip socks for reformer Pilates.

Check your studio's house rules before your first class. Many studios sell socks at the front desk, but bringing your own pair is nicer and often cheaper.

Hair, jewellery and your watch

Long hair goes in a ponytail, bun or braid. Not just because it will hang in your face during forward-bending exercises, but also because loose hair around the springs and straps of the reformer is not a good idea.

Jewellery is best left at home. Long necklaces swing with every movement, rings press into your palm on the footbar and bracelets tap against the frame. A watch can damage the straps and handles, so take it off or push it high up your forearm. Small earrings are no problem at all.

What do you bring to class?

Not much, and that is the nice thing about Pilates. A filled water bottle, because not every studio has a tap. A small towel for the machine or your forehead. And your grip socks. Nothing else needs to go in your bag.

Bringing a thin sweater or cardigan is a smart move though. Most classes start calmly lying down, and after an hour of reformer your body cools down quickly. You take that layer off once you are warm and put it back on when you head outside.

First class? This is how it feels familiar right away

Arrive ten minutes early. The instructor can set up the reformer for you at ease and you have a moment to get to know the studio. Mention that it is your first time; the teacher will keep a slightly closer eye on you and give you pointers more often.

And above all, wear something you feel good in. Reformer Pilates is more approachable than the machine suggests, and nobody notices your outfit as long as it works. A fitted set, grip socks on, hair up. That is all. Still unsure about something? Check our frequently asked questions or send your studio a quick message beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wear leggings to Pilates?

Yes, leggings are actually the best choice. They move with you, show your alignment and have no zips or buttons that damage the reformer. Choose a high-waisted pair that does not slide down when you hang upside down.

Do you need special shoes for reformer Pilates?

No. Reformer Pilates is done without shoes, in grip socks. You leave your shoes at the entrance or in a locker. Some studios have slippers for the walk from the changing room to the studio, but they are not required.

Why are grip socks mandatory in reformer Pilates?

For hygiene and safety. You share the reformer with dozens of people a day, and on the smooth carriage and footbar grip socks give you the hold that bare feet and regular socks lack. That is why it is a house rule in most Dutch studios.

What do you wear to your first Pilates class?

A fitted top, leggings without zips or buttons and a pair of grip socks. Hair up, jewellery at home, water bottle packed. With that you are well dressed in any studio in the Netherlands, from mat to reformer.

Ready for class

The only thing probably not in your wardrobe yet is the socks. Our reformer Pilates socks have an extended grip pattern from heel to toe and a snug fit with light compression. Designed in the Netherlands and worn in studios like Studio33 and PuraMi. Not sure about the colour? Soft Butter is our most worn colour. From two pairs, shipping is on us.

Keep reading: why grip socks matter on the reformer and what socks to wear for Pilates to find what suits you best.