Sep 11

What the Pilates Girls Are Wearing Now

A while back, I shared what the Pilates girls are actually wearing these days, and with so many ’90s and Y2K-inspired styles coming back, I thought it was time for an update.

Think Princess Diana leaving the gym (still such a style icon), J.Lo in activewear, tiny running shorts, capris, foldover waistbands and all those sporty little details that are suddenly everywhere again.

And it’s not just me noticing. According to a recent trend report, 3-inch shorts are up 45% from last year, while dolphin-style shorts are up 94%.

The funny thing is, none of this feels completely new. We’ve seen these styles before, but the ’90s and Y2K revival has made them feel fresh again. And while I have no plans to give up my full-length leggings anytime soon, I’ve been finding myself drawn to some of these other styles.

It got me thinking about taking more of that Pilates style off the mat, too. So I did some digging and pulled together a few of the styles I’m seeing everywhere and the pieces I’d consider adding to my rotation and maybe you will too.

The New Workout Short

Bike shorts have been everywhere for the last few years, but shorter, sportier styles are starting to make their way back in.

There’s something about a shorter athletic short paired with a simple tank, or oversized sweatshirt that feels very ’90s.

The Fitted Short

For something closer to the feel of a bike short, but a little shorter:

The Running Short

The more relaxed running short is another style I’ve been seeing a lot lately. It has that old-school athletic feel that reminds me of the ’90s, and I love how easily it can be worn beyond a workout. Dolphin shorts are another version of this look that I’ve been seeing everywhere.

Both of these are the kind of shorts I’d pair with a fitted tank for Pilates, then throw on an oversized sweatshirt and sneakers and keep going with the rest of my day.

A few that caught my eye:

The Retro Short

If you want to lean a little further into the vintage athletic look, these have the contrast trims, stripes and old-school shapes that make the trend feel a little more playful.

A few of the retro styles I’ve been drawn to:

Capri Leggings Are Back

The mid-calf length fits right into the bigger return of ’90s and early-2000s style, but I actually think they make a lot of sense for Pilates, too. You get more coverage than a short without all the extra fabric of a full-length legging. I also love how you can dress them up or down! From workout to lunch ;)

A few of the styles I’ve been seeing:

Full-Length Leggings Aren't Going Anywhere

I love a good pair of full-length leggings far too much to pretend we’re moving on from them. They’re not going anywhere, but I do love that there are so many other options to mix into the rotation now.

We’re seeing different lengths, flares, foldover details and silhouettes that make them feel less like the basic black legging we’ve all owned for years.

So if you’re a leggings girl like me, you can stay exactly where you are. Maybe just give your usual pair some new company.

A few styles I have my eye on:

Final Thoughts

I definitely don’t think you need a whole new activewear wardrobe every time a trend comes around. But I do love when something comes along that makes getting dressed for a workout feel a little more fun.

The ’90s and Y2K influence is bringing back so many styles we haven’t seen in a while, and I love how easily they fit into the Pilates lifestyle. Shorts, capris, matching sets, retro details, all pieces that can take you from the mat to a walk, coffee or whatever else your day looks like.

Keep your full-length leggings. Try some of these shorts if you want. Give capris another chance. And if something catches your eye that you could just as easily wear outside of a workout, even better.

These are some of the styles I’m seeing everywhere right now and a few of the pieces I have my eye on.

See the full collection of my picks →