I just wanted to add in another vote for the Gap sculpting shorts which I discovered a couple months ago and are my holy grail of defense against thigh rubbing! I've tried a bunch of the other suggestions and here's my feedback on each:
- pettipants: worked better than nothing, but the quality varies--I'd get some that weren't cut properly on the grain and so twisted all the time, or bunched up. In general weren't that pleasing to wear because of the low quality of the polyester material.
- bike shorts: I got some by Danskin, too thick to be comfortable, and even then would still ride up. Also tried the cotton ones from American Apparel, these were my go to but didn't breathe very well, would get quite sweaty and sometimes would still ride up
- bandalettes: I haven't tried that brand, it was another brand that had a similar idea of separate items on each thigh and honestly they felt so strange to wear without going all the way up, so I still prefer something that's connected
- anti-chafing gels: I haven't tried most of the ones mentioned here, like Monistat, but I use a blister block for my underarms when working out with sleeveless tops and it's ok but I wouldn't want to test it out for a full day out and about
Those silk ones might work well but in general I think that anything that hangs loose is at risk for bunching up (or doing that weird walk to let them "drop" occasionally). If they fit you, I think the Gap shorts are the way to go, especially since Gap runs sales so often that you can probably get them for less than $25. I usually wear a size 14 in jeans/pants/dresses from stores like the Gap/J.Crew and the XL in the sculpting shorts fits me well, with no cutting in on the leg bands (which are flat) or the waistband.
