Looking for a specific camisole / questions about Second Base camis (long)

I'm probably the only one here who hates layering in warm weather. Hate it! I cannot stand layers clinging to my ribs when I'm hot and sweaty. And 95% of the time garments that plunge, gap, or have huge armholes never get a second glance.

For that fabulous 5% I'm willing to make exceptions. Especially if that doesn't involve a full cami: Some beloved eShakti dresses with a deep V get a folded square of white fabric, attached with fashion tape, for church and work.

But I also have a wonderful deep lavender jersey maxi dress, very Grecian with rows of elastic smocking from the waist to the underbust, and it must have a cami for both the plunging V and the armholes. I make this work with a short black woven cami that came with a sheer blouse some years ago. But black is pretty heavy for my summer look, and I'd like a white one for other uses (some more fabulous 5%) as well.

What I'm looking for:

Woven fabrication that is neither tight nor unnecessarily loose (creates folds when layered). Knits won't work because they:
- Create a unibust and/or otherwise compress/distort the bust. I've gone to a lot of trouble to find bras that give the shape I want; I don't want a camisole that changes that in the slightest.
- Climb up my hips and bunch on my waist. (My hips will conquer ANY "stay down" cami.)
- Cling to my midsection for unpleasant warmth.

Natural fiber. The only fault with the black one is that it's polyester, and though fine, is tightly woven and does not breathe.
No lace or other trim. I do not want to call attention to this; just enough to register that I am covered. (I made the mistake of a blush one once...)
Thin/spaghetti straps.

Any ideas? Preferably that don't cost over $40?

Angie highly recommended the Second Base camisoles last year.
http://youlookfab.com/2015/06/.....t-weather/
I'm willing to try despite the knit, stretch, and maybe-considered-synthetic, but I do have questions.

How much stretch do these have? Do they put pressure on the bust as they stretch to fit?
What about the sizing? The Amazon chart in the listing is (a) generic and (b) shows bust 36" = size XL. O RLY???
Are they REALLY that cool? I walk 10 minutes from my building to my car, which has been sitting in the sun for 9+ hours. Avg temp at that time from June - September is usually 95-100F; parking lot temp usually 5F higher. Car temperature another 15-20F higher.

Last week I wore a dress of lightweight woven poly; after driving 10 minutes to get home, A/C blasting arctic on me, I still could not stand it until I got the dress off. I can't live with a cami that will do that.

I have other criteria, but it will come down to "I have to try it." Any input appreciated!

7 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

No, you're not the only one. I have the same issues, and decided to try Second Base because of Angie's glowing recommendation. I'm very happy with the results, though I've not worn the camisole + top in 90-110 F yet. (80 F is too warm for me to layer with a full camisole, so the Second Base version is certainly good at lower-but-warm temperatures.)

I didn't feel squished, though the silhouette may be a little less full (not 100% sure). The camisole does not feel "polyester-ish", though again I have not tested in high heat yet. (It feels more like a very soft, cotton/modal blend.) Shipping is extremely prompt. I bought XS, which fits my 30B bust very well.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Me three - if a hot-weather top/dress requires a camisole or special bra I don't buy it. I have not owned Second Base but what about Uniqlo's hot-temp camisole option - I think it's called Airism?

My first thought when I saw your list of requirements was something in a bias-cut woven, so you get a bit of stretch/movement without the feel of a clingy knit. Unfortunately most of those I've seen have been made in silk, which in my experience is pretty warm when you wear it near your body. The feel might be preferably to a synthetic knit though. If you decide to look in that direction, you'll probably find more results in the areas of nightwear/lingerie and vintage inspired or old fashioned/modest retailers.

crazyone

I actually have an woven thin cotton camisole that I got with an e-shakti top. I no longer have the top, but I keep and use the camisole a fair bit.

Well, speaking of Everlane, they do have a silk camisole with spaghetti straps:
https://www.everlane.com/colle.....ource=pepp

Anonymous

I hate layering in the heat too. I use a knit half cami from Sahalie similar to second base. It is not hot for me. Very stretchy, almost like a lightweight bra top. But I don't have a woven option.

Ginger

I'm glad there are at least three of us!

Alassë, thank you so much for your SB experience. I'm still skeptical that it will let the lavender dress drape correctly (i.e. flat against my breastbone). That's the one that I immediately want a white one for, so I'm reluctant to shell out the $30 for a maybe. May I ask what your bust measurement is? I'm thinking I can extrapolate from there. The size chart says that

Laura, I'm also concerned that silk will be warm. Better than a synthetic, but at these temps it might be a moot point. There's also a lot of sorting to do - search "silk camisole" and there's a lot of lace and satin. I'll look up Airism, too.

crazyone, I think I saw that blouse! At least I remember noticing "cotton camisole" and halfway considering ordering just for that. Great minds think alike!

Elle

I another one who hates layers in the heat. I have a Uniqlo Airism pants and tee (no camisole). It works in the moderate heat that we have but you are talking extremes so I don't know. It might be worth trying if you have a store near you. Good luck!

anne

Heavens, you aren't alone at all!! I hate layering in the heat, and am planning on modifying my summer dress plans to not need it (one style I bought seems ok without anything at point of purchase, but in practice does)

Though frankly '"with rows of elastic smocking from the waist to the underbust" doesn't sound what I would go for in a "hot summer" dress either - I'd find this too hot. (I don't do "fitted" higher around 90) Mind you I sure you'd look gorgeous!)

I don't have any suggestions I am afraid. My solution (from Beth Ann) was to buy a junior bralette and wear it over my bra. The downside is that I could only find them with racerbacks. The other downsides, from your perspective, is they are knit, and also that as you're a lot bustier than I, there wouldn't be one that fit.

Anne, when I wrote that description, I was thinking the same thing - this doesn't sound cool at all! But oddly, it is. It's a silk, very swing-y jersey, with a good weight, thin, and cool to the touch. It's not hot, and it's sleeveless, which helps. But it is SO low in the armholes that it's unwearable even in situations where the cleavage isn't an issue. And I'm getting very tired of the black cami. Thank you for the sympathy!

I honestly decided I would have to make one myself. Then I looked for patterns - guess what! No one sells camisole patterns anymore! Except for one or two fancy ones with extra seaming for sleepwear. Now I need to go through my vintage patterns.

I did find several woven cotton options on Etsy. Oddly, all of them were non-North American. South Africa, I think Germany, and two from Australia. This one looks perfect, I'm just CHEAP and twitchy about $16 shipping. :p

https://www.etsy.com/listing/2.....e_active_1

Diana

I find forever 21 weirdly useful for things like this (also tube dresses which i use as non-shapewear bandeau slips). Of course they think they are tops and not undergarments!

Here's a search for "woven Cami":
http://www.forever21.com/Mobil.....mi%20woven

Many are polyester but this rayon one looks promising:
http://www.forever21.com/Mobil.....2000079804

Uniqlo airism rolls up like crazy on me. Since you're a similar shape I doubt it would work.

That one's cream instead of white, but it's a really good start! Thank you, I'll look at F21. I know, it seems like a simple thing (and plenty of teens wear them as tops) but searches aren't turning up much. I haven't looked at H&M or ASOS either, hmm.

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