What to wear for your first aerial class
Walking into your first aerial class can feel equal parts exciting and intimidating. I know, because I’ve been there.
I started aerial silks back in 2016 on a complete whim. I’d never done anything remotely circus-related before, and after a few years of Ashtanga yoga, I thought I was strong.
I WAS NOT!
Aerial has a way of humbling you very quickly—but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. That first climb? It took me six weeks. And when it finally happened, it felt incredible. However, you don't need to be able to climb to enjoy your class. You'll learn footlocks and poses from the floor until you can do them in the air.
*you can see a video of the first time I managed to do enough climbs to make it to the top here.
So if you’re wondering what to wear to your first aerial class, I’m going to give you the honest, experience-backed answer—what works, what doesn’t, and what will help you feel confident from the moment you walk in.
First things first: wear something that covers your skin
Quite the opposite to my previous post on What to wear to your first pole class, this is the biggest thing beginners get wrong.
Aerial isn’t like the gym. The equipment (especially silks and hoop) relies on friction against your skin—and without the right coverage, that friction turns into burns.
Avoid this:
- Loose trousers
- Wide-leg pants
- Shorts (for most beginner classes)
I once had a student turn up in wide-leg trousers because she couldn’t find her leggings. As the fabric moved, it exposed the backs of her knees—and the silks gradually burned with every climb, knee hook and pose.
Instead, try:
- Leggings (your best friend) Try to avoid any super silky ones, they'll make your life harder as you'll fight to grip the silks. The silkier type will be fine for hoop though.
- Anything that covers the backs of your knees (especially for hoop)
- Fitted layers you can trust to stay in place
Loose tops? Fine… but with a catch
A loose t-shirt is completely fine when you’re starting out—but there are two things to keep in mind:
-
You will be going upside down
Make sure you’ve got something fitted underneath so you’re not worrying about flashing the room mid-invert. -
Silks love to steal things
I’ve had jumpers caught, tangled, and completely ruined over the years.
So yes, wear the oversized tee—but maybe not your favourite one.
What I wore as a beginner vs now
When I started, I lived in:
- Leggings
- A fitted sports top
- Maybe a loose layer over the top
- I was definitely a fan of a patterned legging too, not so much now.
And honestly? That’s still a perfectly solid option.
But over time, I realised something…
The less your outfit moves, the better you feel
Now, I almost always reach for a jumpsuit.
Why?
- It doesn’t roll down
- It doesn’t ride up
- It stays exactly where it should—no adjusting mid-class
- And let’s be honest… it looks amazing
That’s exactly why I designed the Blaire and Cadence jumpsuit the way I did—the fit, the structure, even the contouring cut. It’s made to move with you, not against you.
Once you’ve trained in something that stays put, it’s very hard to go back.
Confidence matters more than you think
One of the reasons I started aerial instead of pole was simple:
I didn’t feel confident enough to wear shorts.
I have cellulite. I didn’t want to feel exposed. And with aerial, I didn’t have to.
I could walk into the room covered, comfortable, and focused on what I was doing—not what I looked like.
And something amazing happens when you stick with it…
You stop caring what your body looks like—and start appreciating what it can do.
That first climb.
That first inversion.
That moment where something clicks.
You realise:
You don’t need to be strong to start—you get strong by starting.
One thing no one tells you: grip will change everything
Let’s talk about something that would have saved me months of frustration:
Grip aids.
I didn’t use grip for a long time, and I struggled because of it.
Silks are slippery (it’s literally in the name), and if your hands are sliding, everything feels harder than it should.
Grip can:
- Help you hold on longer
- Build confidence faster
- Let you actually focus on technique instead of just surviving
If you’re finding things frustrating early on—this might be why. I've tried lots of different grips over the years but now I've settled on Sticky Molly. You wont see me in class without it. Personally I have very dry hands and need something to help me stick, not to soak up sweat.
Your first aerial outfit (simple version)
If you just want the quick answer, here it is:
Wear this:
- Leggings
- A fitted top or sports bra
- Optional loose t-shirt over the top
- Layers to cover knees and underarms if needed
Upgrade to this (when you’re ready):
- A well-fitted jumpsuit that doesn’t move
- Grip aid in your bag
- A couple of backup tops for different moves
Final thoughts
Your first aerial class isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about showing up, trying something new, and surprising yourself.
You don’t need to be strong.
You don’t need to look a certain way.
You just need to start.
And if you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing?
That’s one less thing to think about—and one more reason you’ll walk back through that door again.
Keep reading:
If you’re exploring different classes or planning ahead, these will help:
