What to Wear to a Barre Class, According to a Very Chic Instructor
Alice Hartwell
Taylor Villanueva talks sartorial styling for class and finding your confidence through barre.
Barre is a workout on the rise. Fusing ballet, Pilates, yoga, and strength training, it delivers a low-impact yet seriously effective full-body burn—easy to see why so many are getting hooked. The other major draw? It’s undeniably chic. I’m always more inclined to work out if I can look good while doing it, and San Francisco-based instructor Taylor Villanueva is a walking, talking (and pulsing) embodiment of that energy.
Meet Taylor Villanueva, Barre Instructor & Content Creator
“I really just wanted to make everyone listen to my favorite music for an hour. I’d say that’s 15% of the ‘why’ at least.” Villanueva shares on her experience of becoming a barre instructor.
“The other percentages include the body alignment principles of Barre (hello, better posture) and the ritual of the various poses and flows that become familiar and grounding.
I’ve been a convert for almost a decade now and have been teaching barre, mat cardio, and strength training for the past three years.
How to Dress for Barre vs Other Workouts
“The defining factor should be function,” she shares. “For a long time, it feels like there are only two extremes offered in women’s fashion: really tight form-fitting clothing or incredibly loose and free-flowing ensembles. Neither are ‘wrong’ in that if what you wear makes you feel your best and perform better, then go for it.”
Villanueva goes on to reflect on finding a balance between functional class-wear and a conscious output: “For Barre and other mat work, it’s about the range of motion capabilities and quality materials that will last, especially when you’re in the studio 5-6x a week. I’ve started prioritizing natural fibers and recycled materials for my overall health and environmental impact, but a little bit of stretch is also necessary to do the moves well.”
On Clothing Impacting Confidence During Barre Class
“The word ‘freedom’ comes to mind when I think of daily confidence,” she explains. “At one point, I felt this disconnect between teaching at the studio and my other life activities, as if I was putting on a foreign extra skin that I would never wear elsewhere, for two reasons. One, you can still have a quality workout without scrutinizing the outline of your body every second, and two, if I have quality investment pieces in my daily wardrobe, that should also extend to the choices in my activewear.”
“We know that when we get dressed as the most authentic version of ourselves, we feel more grounded. I wouldn’t recommend jeans, but I can certainly offer up some noteworthy options on my page.”
Shop Taylor's Chic Barre Class Essentials
The Tilda Jacket from Saisei is something I’ve been reaching for a lot lately. It zips in both directions for easy ventilation and hugs close to the body—a flattering fit to and from the studio.
It’s been hard finding ‘chic’ grip socks; there’s been years of fluorescent colors and bright patterns that have traumatized me, but the ‘short socks’ from Fraise have been a balm for my deep need for function and style.
They’re antimicrobial, which is a must when working out in sweaty studios. I especially love their minimal colors and plush texture.
Flore Flore is another brand you wouldn’t initially think of as ‘activewear’, but their shirts are 100% organic cotton and super breathable. I’m currently stocking up on the Car T-shirt in multiple colors and also the Hannah tank.
Vintage activewear (inspired or actual) is making a strong comeback, which I’m so happy to see—think Princess Di, Cindy Crawford’s workout DVDs, Prada Sport.
These HORSE track pants are a great place to start to build that essence of your workout wardrobe. 100% Japanese cotton terry cloth, and they sell out fast, so snag them now.
The foldover waistband is back, and the Eva cotton mini shorts from Frankies Bikinis x Jennie collection will have you feeling like a baddie while you flow on the mat. I’m actually leaning towards the red color.
I have to include at least one pair of leggings, and it’s the Flared Studio Legging from District Vision. Supple, comforting coverage, and a cute little flare at the bottom for in and out of the studio. They’re very much an IYKYK fitness brand.
We don’t typically wear shoes in class, but to and from is your fashion runway for sure. I recently nabbed these Adidas Taekwondo Mei shoes, and I couldn’t be more obsessed.
They give you three different lace options with endless ways to style the shoes tied up around the ankles—very ballet-core—or simply laced over the foot.
Function meets fashion with legwarmers—I love them! You can take them off during class if they become too much, but they’re also a nice protectant when wearing ankle weights. Paired with the Fraise socks—chef’s kiss. I love these from Swedish Stockings.
I’m 1000% the girl who has a work bag chapstick and bedroom chapstick. I adore woven leather, and this Bembien piece is just the right size for my notebook, iPad, socks, extra socks, keys, glasses. I could go on.
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