What to Wear to Aerial Silks
You’ve signed up for your first aerial silks class! Congrats! And we know you’ve probably thought, “What do I wear to aerial silks?”
Good news: you’re definitely not the first person to be unsure. The best aerial silks outfit is comfortable, form-fitting, easy to move in, and provides enough coverage to protect your skin from friction.
You also don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe before your first class. Here’s what we recommend for beginner aerial silks.
1. Leggings
Silks can burn, so we recommend wearing leggings to protect your legs during class. Not all leggings are created equal, though. Our coaches tend to go one of two directions: a high-quality, durable pair that can stand up to repeated friction (Fabletics is a popular choice around the studio) or a cheap pair that’s easy to replace when the silks inevitably take their toll.
Tights under a form-fitting pair of shorts or a leotard are also great options. If you go the tights route, we recommend looking at dance brands like Capezio or Bloch.
Whatever you choose, make sure you can comfortably bend, stretch, straddle, and move without constantly adjusting your clothes.
2. Armpit Coverage
Armpit coverage is optional. Plenty of aerial silks practitioners train in sports bras and tank tops, but if you have sensitive skin, we recommend bringing something that covers your armpits.
Aerial fabric frequently moves through or wraps around the armpit area, which can create a lot of friction. A fitted T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt can give your skin some extra protection while you’re getting used to the apparatus.
3. Stomach Coverage
Like your armpits, we recommend covering your stomach, especially when you’re new to aerial silks.
Many aerial silks wraps travel around your waist and torso, creating friction against your body. An exposed stomach can lead to silk burns (think extra-spicy fabric burns) on a pretty sensitive area.
A long, fitted shirt you can tuck into your leggings, a unitard, a leotard, or even a back warmer can provide much-needed coverage.
4. Compression Shorts or a Dance Belt
Depending on your anatomy, you may want an extra layer of support underneath your aerial silks outfit. Compression shorts or a dance belt can help keep everything securely in place while you’re moving through the fabric.
Aerial silks can put pressure in some unexpected places, so supportive, form-fitting undergarments can make training much more comfortable.
5. Can You Wear Socks for Aerial Silks?
Yes, but socks are totally optional for aerial silks.
Socks can provide a little extra protection for your feet, but there is a huge trade-off: socks can be slippery. Regular socks can make gripping and climbing the silks much more challenging, so most aerialists prefer to train barefoot.
Others opt for specialized socks, like Pilates or barre socks, that provide some foot coverage while still offering additional grip.
What Should You Avoid Wearing to Aerial Silks?
Just as important as what you wear is what you leave at home.
Avoid clothing with zippers, buckles, sharp embellishments, or other hardware that could snag or damage the aerial fabric.
You’ll also want to remove jewelry, watches, and anything else that could catch on the silks before class.
Loose or extremely baggy clothing isn’t ideal either. Your coach needs to see your body positioning, and extra fabric can get in the way while you’re learning wraps and skills.
Do I Need Special Clothes for My First Aerial Silks Class?
Nope! You don’t need a special circus wardrobe for your first aerial silks class. A great beginner aerial silks outfit can be as simple as:
Leggings + a fitted, tuckable T-shirt.
Depending on your anatomy, add compression shorts or a dance belt underneath for additional support. You can also throw a pair of socks in your bag and decide whether you prefer training barefoot once you get on the silks.
That’s it!
As you take more aerial silks classes, you’ll figure out what makes you most comfortable and develop your own preferences. For your first class, focus on clothing that lets you move freely, stays in place, and protects your skin from the fabric.
Ready for Your First Aerial Silks Class?
Roustabout School of Circus & Performing Arts offers beginner-friendly aerial silks and circus classes in Denver, Colorado. Check out our current class schedule!
