Beginners
What to Wear and Bring to a Pottery Class
The practical guide to dressing for success (and minimal clay damage) at pottery class.
Right, you've booked your pottery class and now you're staring at your wardrobe wondering what on earth to wear. Should you dress up? Dress down? What about your new watch? Those long nails? The rings you never take off?
Here's the practical, honest guide to what you should wear and bring to pottery class – and what you should definitely leave at home.
The golden rule: Wear old, comfortable clothes
Pottery is messy. Not "might get a bit dirty" messy. Properly muddy. Clay will splatter on your clothes, shoes, and probably your face. Most of it washes out, but not all of it, and certainly not every time.
What to wear:
- Old jeans or leggings: Comfortable and clay-friendly. Dark colours hide stains better than light.
- T-shirt or casual top: Short sleeves or sleeves you can roll up. Avoid anything dry-clean only or precious.
- Closed-toe shoes: The studio floor gets wet and slippery. Trainers or old canvas shoes work well.
- Layers: Studios can be warm (especially near kilns), so wear something you can remove if needed.
Jewelry & accessories: Leave them at home
Seriously, take off your jewelry before class. Here's why:
- Rings: Clay gets stuck in settings and can scratch your pieces. Plus, you'll scratch the clay with ring edges. Take them all off.
- Watches: Will get caked in clay and likely scratched. Leave it in your bag or at home.
- Bracelets: Will get in the way and covered in clay. Remove them.
- Necklaces: Long necklaces can dangle into your work. Either remove them or tuck them inside your top.
Pro tip: Bring a small zip-lock bag or container to safely store your jewelry during class.
Hair & nails: The practical considerations
Long hair: Tie it back. Seriously. Long hair will get in your clay, in your face, and generally be annoying. Bring a hair tie even if you don't normally wear one.
Long nails: Tricky for pottery, especially wheel throwing. Long nails make it harder to shape clay smoothly, and you'll get clay stuck under them. Most potters keep their nails short for this reason. If you can't or won't trim them:
- Hand-building is easier than wheel throwing with long nails
- Use tools more than direct finger contact
- Be prepared for a thorough nail-cleaning session afterward
- Some people wear latex gloves, though it changes the feel of the clay
What studios provide (so you don't need to bring)
Most pottery studios provide everything you need for the class itself:
- Apron (though it won't cover everything)
- Clay
- All tools and equipment
- Pottery wheels (for wheel throwing classes)
- Hand-washing facilities and towels
Check your booking confirmation to see what's included at your specific studio.
What to bring with you
- Bottle of water: Pottery is thirsty work, especially if the studio is warm.
- Hair tie: If you have long hair, don't forget this!
- Small towel or cloth: Some people like their own for drying hands. Optional but handy.
- Container for jewelry: A small bag or box to safely store rings, watches, etc.
- Notebook (optional): If you want to jot down techniques, glaze codes, or ideas for future pieces.
- Change of clothes (optional): If you're going somewhere nice afterward, bring a fresh top – clay splatter happens!
What NOT to wear or bring
- Your best clothes: Save the designer gear for another day
- White or very light colors: Clay stains show up badly on pale fabrics
- Dangling sleeves: Will drag through clay and wet surfaces
- Open-toed shoes or sandals: Wet clay floors are slippery; protect your toes
- Expensive jewelry: Just... no. Leave it at home.
- Strong perfume: Small studio spaces can get stuffy; go easy on the scent
Special situations
If you're going to pottery class after work:
Bring a complete change of clothes – old jeans, T-shirt, trainers. Change before class and keep your work clothes clean in a bag.
If it's a date-night pottery class:
Wear old clothes that look decent – think clean, casual, but not precious. Your date expects you both to get muddy, so looking perfect isn't the goal. Comfort and practicality win here.
If you're doing a kids' pottery class:
Dress kids in old play clothes they can ruin. Avoid anything with strings or dangling bits. Bring a complete spare outfit in case they get really muddy. See our kids pottery guide for more tips.
Pottery questions we’re always asked
- Do I need to bring my own apron?
- No – studios provide aprons. However, they don't cover everything, so wearing old clothes underneath is still essential. Some regular potters prefer to bring their own apron for comfort, but it's not required for beginners.
- Will clay stains wash out of clothes?
- Mostly, yes. Clay is water-based, so it usually washes out in a normal laundry cycle. However, some clays can leave faint stains on light-colored fabrics, which is why dark or old clothes are recommended.
- Can I wear makeup to pottery class?
- You can, but be warned: you'll probably touch your face with clay-covered hands at some point. Many people go makeup-free or minimal for pottery classes. It's a casual, creative environment – no one's judging your appearance!