If you've never been to a barre class IRL, you might be wondering what the heck you should wear. After all, the workout is partially based on ballet, done without shoes, and typically on a carpet — in other words, the circumstances are a little different than your typical gym or other workout classes. Will your favorite suffice? Or should you go full-on ? We tapped barre experts for their advice on what apparel works well — and what doesn't — when you're pliéing, pulsing, and stretching.
"Choosing the right attire for your barre class is essential to ensure a comfortable and effective workout," says Shannon Reznik, manager of training development at . The good news is that you probably have everything you need in your workout wardrobe. Below, find what you should look for specifically.
"Barre being a mix of ballet and Pilates, it's important to see the lines of the body: try to wear fitted clothes that will allow your instructor to see if you're doing the moves correctly," says , a former pro ballerina, founder of , and creator of Brooklyn Barre at Equinox. That said, there's no real need to wear . "In barre classes, we don't jump, so there isn't a strong need for support, [compared] to HIIT or bootcamp classes," Granger says.
also aren't ideal (even though they're cute!). Flares hide the feet and prevent instructors from checking if your toes are in the proper position (be that pointed, in demi-point, or flexed), she says. Some leggings have zippered pockets on the s.
