Best Ways to Avoid Static Cling with Dresses and Skirts - YouLookFab Forum

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Best Ways to Avoid Static Cling with Dresses and Skirts

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I know this problem "crops up" every now and then, and I had a problem with a clingy Tory Burch dress I wore this week. I did use a half-slip, but I kept worrying that the slip was too long and it did begin to show as I'd rolled it up at the waistline. I was also wearing nylons, which probably exacerbated the problem. Grrr.

In doing a brief search here on YLF and online, I noticed that the three recommendations are: slips, anti-static spray and Spanx-like shorts that have a skirt or slip on top as a built-in top layer. I'm a bit reluctant to use spray.

I'd really love your thoughts on this, as it's really annoying and I may just have to buy another type of slip or shorts.

Thanks!

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from archoo16

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I just ordered a pair of silky cropped track pants that have this problem, I'm no help as to solutions. In fact I think I'm going to return them for this reason. I used to use the anti-static cling spray, it worked well but I'm ok with better living through chemistry.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

PS -- I was thinking about you yesterday… where is Vicki … glad to see you back on the forum.

Diana

Veteran

Slips are the only thing that have ever worked for me. Nylon or silk. I have pettipants (basically a divided slip, not tight/shaping at all) to prevent chafing in the summer, and I think those might work under pants to prevent static.

ETA: Target sells 18" slips which don't stick out under any skirt I own. (I personally don't buy skirts shorter than 20" these days).

http://www.target.com/p/vassar.....75525#prod

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, both, and aren't you sweet, Denise. I've been a bit on the introspective path lately, but I am reading Angie's blogs and while I've taken a number of photos, I just haven't posted them for one reason or another. Will get back to doing it again, because I miss the camaraderie, greatly, and more than you know. ^_^

Diana, that looks like a perfect slip for me at 18" and I'm glad you've road-tested it and know that this one works. This is a great solution.

catgirl

Veteran

My slips from Gap are great and short enough for most everything I wear!

http://m.gap.com/product.html?.....pdn=search

Catnip

Veteran

The only thing that ever worked for me is anti-static spray. There's a brand called Static Guard that you can buy at the hardware store or supermarket. I suggest buying a small size and carrying it with you, since you may have to use it several times during the course of a day.

K. Period.

Veteran

If I'm not looking for opacity, I don't usually bother with a slip. Instead, I just rub a fabric softener sheet all over across the part of my nylons or tights that will be rubbing against the dress. It does a great job of combating the cling. In a pinch, I have also used lotion (you put it on like you are putting lotion on your legs, but over the top of the nylons or tights). That works very well too, but it just feels (psychologically) icky, so I generally take the fabric softener sheet approach, if possible. Lotion is for emergencies only.

JulieJohn

Veteran

Ooh, I like that fabric softener sheet idea. Hi Vicki, nice to see you!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Oh, these are all good! Una, that is a really cute slip; thank you! I can see getting Diana's and yours for different wearings.

Catnip, K. Period and Julie, I love the simplicity of these solutions. To think I could spray or rub a fabric softener sheet on my nylons (I'd better get the unscented kind, so it doesn't compete with my perfume!!!) is another great way to solve this.

Thank you!

carter

Veteran

I use fabric softener sheets on hose and slip. Hairspray also works on slip/hose if you don't have anti-static spray.

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for this post. I struggle with this too and am not a fan of anything in a can. :^) Actually, the SA at Club Monaco told me the other day that she can't even get Static Guard to work anymore, it's so dry here. The humidity in my apartment has been hovering between 25 and 30 percent. :^(

I don't have any suggestions other than to say that I've read that dry skin can exacerbate static electricity. Apparently dry skin can very easily pick up an electric charge. So maybe moisturizing well would help also. I don't know; I get too lazy and end up with alligator skin.

I think I will try to get a slip, as suggested. That will even add an extra layer for warmth! Woo hoo!

donnat

Veteran

Ok I have one for you. Run a metal coat hanger over your legs between the skirt and your legs. Seems wierd but works.

Marley

Veteran

I refuse to give you my static-buster secret until u post a pic of u in the TB dress.

Marley

Veteran

Tried to put some emojis on my comment but it doesn't show up when I hit the submit button. Just use ur imagination that there is a little cat winking at u and another one with a devilish smile on his face!

JayS

Veteran

THanks for starting this thread. I have this problem with a pair of leifsdottir pants. No matter what I do, they develop that annoying cling...not a pretty look - or feel. I've never heard of the metal coat hanger thing, but I just might try it. I'm desperate. I'd love to wear those pants!

linder

I usually use moisturizer tip too, but I just read the other day that pinning a safety pin to the inside hem of your dress/skirt works - never tried it though.

Gigi

Veteran

I tried the metal coat hanger thing but couldn't get it to work! Am I doing something wrong? I didn't have a whole metal coat hanger, just one from the dry cleaner that had a cardboard cylinder for the bottom rung. So I took the cardboard off and then hooked the two metal ends together to create an unbroken line of metal. And I used that. But within two or three steps, the static is back.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I'm in the car at the moment and Marley you will get that photo in exchange for your secret.

I also plan on trying the coat hanger method along with sampling these other solutions and will report back on how these work with Ms Tory B. I'm glad to see I'n not alone in this, with dresses and pants, and everyone's tips have been great.

min

Wow, some creative ideas that I've never heard before. I'll be trying some of them. I've used slips and the anti-cling spray. Slips work if the length is right (which it often isn't) and the spray works great - sometimes. Not sure why it doesn't always work, I've never kept track to try to figure out the commonality.

JayS

Veteran

This topic interested me so much that I googled it. Found this that is pretty informative...1st tip is the wire hanger.

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Static-Cling

donnat

Veteran

The coat hanger usually works for me, i run the hanger over my entire legs. Not sure why it works.

Gigi

Veteran

I must live in an alternate universe with different laws of physics, because most of the tips in the wiki article just haven't worked for me. I have one skirt that is mostly cotton but has maybe 6% spandex. I put vinegar in the rinse cycle; I air dried; I used the coat hanger; and then I put a safety pin in at the seam. Still horrible static cling between the skirt and the suede boots I was wearing. Is suede bad for static cling or something?

Kristin L

Veteran

I'm not sure what works, but I can tell you what doesn't. I heard fastening a safety pin on the inside of your skirt where it get's staticy can help. It doesn't.

Diana

Veteran

Coat hanger has never worked for me. Basically it takes away existing static but doesn't do anything about continuously generated static. Slip works because it prevents the generation of new static.

It is true that I am an extraordinarily staticky person. J. Calls me "Zappy" sometimes because I zap him every time we kiss in the winter.

Eta: safety pins and dryer sheets do nothing for me either. I've not tried the spray but I am prone to contact dermatitis and chemical sensitivities so I'm not going to try.

Echo

Veteran

Silicone hair glossing sprays help me. It sounds kind of icky, but if I spritz it lightly between tights and a dress, it stops static. The actual anti-static sprays don't work for me at all.

havanagirl

I am also frustrated by static cling and haven't found a good solution. But, my issue is with polyester tops. There are so many pretty tops out now that I'd love to wear, but they end up clinging to my back and stomach (calling attention to a bad area). I've had limited success with moisturizing my skin, but then I just feel sticky. I think the climate here is just too dry.

esperanza

It's been said, but nothing works better do me than dryer sheets. I don't actually use them in the dryer. Just for static!

archoo16

Thank you for the tip on the metal hanger. I was at work before I realized my skirt was doing it. With no metal hangers available, I stuck the metal part of my stethoscope between my legs hoping no one would walk in on me. No one did and my skirt was fab. Thank you girls.