Okay guys, let’s talk about my newest obsession: Pilates. Honestly, I used to be a strictly “run on the treadmill until I pass out” kind of girl, but then I took my first reformer class. My life… and my bank account… haven’t been the same since. The core burn is so unbelievably real, but you know what else is real? The absolute need for a cute reformer pilates outfit.
Because let’s be totally honest here, half the motivation to wake up at 6 AM to get tortured on a moving carriage is getting to wear a matching set. If I look put together, I feel like I can hold a plank for at least ten seconds longer. So I spent way too much time scrolling Pinterest last night instead of sleeping, looking for the absolute best studio looks for us.
The Ultimate Studio Moodboard
I absolutely love collages like this because it just shows how many different vibes you can go for. There is literally so many options when it comes to studio wear now. You don’t have to just wear boring old gym clothes anymore. Looking at all these different sets makes me want to throw out my entire wardrobe and just live in spandex full time. When you are picking out clothes for the studio, you really want to focus on things that are form-fitting. Not just because it looks cute, but because your instructor actually needs to see your form. If you are wearing a giant baggy t-shirt, they can’t tell if your ribs are flaring out or if your spine is neutral. So embrace the tight clothes! It just makes the whole workout so much more effective and safe for you.
Classic and Clean Aesthetics
Sometimes you just need to keep it incredibly simple. A clean, classic aesthetic is honestly top tier. I feel like when you wear a really minimal set, it just screams “I have my life together and I drink green juice every morning.” Even if you totally don’t and you had a donut for breakfast… no judgment here, I literally did that yesterday. The fabric is everything with these minimal looks. You want that buttery soft material that feels like a second skin. When you are doing all those weird contortions on the straps, the last thing you want is an itchy seam digging into your side. Comfort is literally everything.
The Brown Athleisure Obsession
Okay, can we please talk about brown activewear? Chocolate brown is absolutely the new black and I am entirely obsessed with it. Me and my best friend both bought matching espresso-colored sets a few weeks ago and we wear them constantly. It is such a beautiful earth tone and it looks so incredibly good on literally every single skin tone. I feel like brown gives off this very grounded, calm energy which is exactly what you want when you are trying to focus on your breathwork. Plus, it transitions so beautifully into a street outfit. You just throw a chunky cream sweater over it after class and you are ready to go get your iced matcha.
Morning Class Essentials
This is the ultimate morning vibe. You know those dark, early mornings where you drag yourself to the studio? The outfit has to do the heavy lifting for your mood. Let me tell you a little story about morning classes though. So I was in a 7 AM session last month, wearing these super cheap socks I got in a random multi-pack online. Big mistake. We were doing standing splits on the carriage – which are already terrifying – and my foot literally just slid right off the platform. I basically did a full split that my body was definitely not prepared for. The instructor gasped, I almost cried, it was a whole scene. So please, invest in actual good grip socks. They are the most essential part of your outfit, I swear.
Studio to Street Transitions
I am a huge fan of looks that can easily go from the studio straight to running errands or even a casual office space. Layering is your absolute best friend here. Having a good quality pair of black leggings that don’t pill is crucial. You can wear them on the machine, and then just swap out your sweaty top for a crisp oversized button-down shirt and some cool sneakers. Suddenly you don’t look like you just sweat off half your body weight doing hundred pulses. It is the ultimate life hack for busy days when you just don’t have time to go all the way home and shower before your next thing.
The Obligatory Mirror Selfie Look
If you don’t take a selfie in the studio mirror, did the workout even really happen? We all know the lighting in those places is specifically designed to make our muscles look amazing. An all-black set is my absolute go-to for days when I am feeling a little bit bloated but still want to feel cute. Black is just universally flattering and it completely hides sweat. There is nothing worse than wearing a cute light blue set and then standing up to realize you have sweat right through the most awkward places. We have all been there, and it is humbling. Black sets protect your peace.
Layering Like a Pro
Having a good pump cover – like a loose long sleeve or a cute zip-up jacket – is super important for warmups. But let’s talk about the actual underneath layer. You need a sports bra that supports you but isn’t basically a straightjacket. Last Tuesday, I had the most embarrassing moment after a super intense jumpboard class. I was in the locker room trying to take off my sweaty sports bra and I literally got stuck. Like, I had one arm in, one arm out, contorted like a human pretzel for a solid five minutes. I couldn’t move. Finally, a very nice stranger saw me struggling and had to physically pull it off my body. So embarrassing… but honestly we bonded over it. Make sure your tops have some good stretch to them!
Navigating the Equipment
I love seeing girls working out on the different machines. It always looks so graceful until you are actually the one doing it. One thing you have to consider when picking out your pants is the whole flared leggings trend. I think flared yoga pants are incredibly cute, but you have to be so careful on the reformer. There are springs and wheels everywhere. I am always so paranoid that my wide leg pants are going to get sucked into the track and completely derail my workout. I usually stick to fitted leggings just to be safe, but if you do wear flares, just make sure they aren’t totally dragging on the floor!
Entering Your Balletcore Era
Oh my gosh, the whole balletcore aesthetic is taking over right now and I am completely here for it. The little bows, the soft pinks, the wrap tops… it is all just so pretty.
Shorts for the Studio
Let’s have a real conversation about wearing shorts to class. During the summer, it gets so incredibly hot in the studio that leggings feel like actual torture. So biker shorts are a massive lifesaver. But… wearing shorts means you have to deal with the whole shaving situation. Sometimes I just don’t have the energy to shave my legs, so I will literally suffer and overheat in long pants just to hide my leg hair from the girl on the machine next to me. It is a very real struggle!
Mixing and Matching Brands
You definitely don’t need to spend two hundred dollars on a single workout set. I love mixing high-end pieces with affordable finds. Like, I will wear my favorite expensive leggings because they snatch my waist perfectly, but I will pair them with a ten-dollar crop top from a random fast fashion site. As long as the colors vibe together, nobody knows the difference. The most important thing is that the pants are high-waisted. There is nothing more distracting than having to constantly pull up your pants while you are trying to do short spine stretches. High waist is an absolute non-negotiable for me.
The Post-Class Cool Down
That feeling when the class is finally over and you just collapse on the mat… it is the absolute best. This is when you realize how important it is that your clothes are comfortable. If you are wearing something super restrictive, you can’t even stretch out properly.
The Studio Community Vibe
One of my favorite things about going to these classes is honestly the other girls. The community is usually so sweet. I can’t even tell you how many times I have made a new friend just by complimenting her matching set in the lobby. It is like this unspoken sisterhood of girls who willingly pay money to shake uncontrollably for fifty minutes. We all hype each other up.
Versatility is Key
At the end of the day, you want clothes that work for your whole lifestyle. If a set is cute enough for the studio but also comfortable enough to lounge in on the couch while watching reality TV, that is a massive win in my book.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Dana

