Fashion tips for those who sweat a lot? - YouLookFab Forum

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Fashion tips for those who sweat a lot?

Scarlet

Veteran

It's an indelicate topic, but I can't be alone on this one. I have a tendency to sweat under my arms. I think part of it is a daily rhythm, like I sweat in the morning, not the evening. I sweat in any kind of even mildly anxious situation. I sweat in my job because I work a large room of people, which is a private torture. Just wondering if anyone out there has found an approach that works for them.

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have some clients in this situation, sweet Scarlet - sweating right through to the outside of a leather jacket (it's underarm sweat in this case). I have to run but will be back to offer practical solutions. Don't worry

Some of these clients are in the public eye a lot, and they manage.

Brooklyn

Veteran

This can be an issue for me because I get hot very easily. Here are my tactics:

In warmer weather I try to wear only natural fibres close to my skin on my upper body. So first choice would be 100% cotton, second choice cotton/elastane, third cotton/modal blend, last pure modal, viscose or silk. Loose fit is better (although I can tolerate fitted sleeveless tops). I don’t wear poly on my upper body (against my skin) in warmer weather at all, with the possible exception of poly lining in a sleeveless dress (I much prefer viscose).

In cooler weather I layer so that I can always take off a layer if I get hot. This means that you have to be happy with every layer. Don’t wear a top under a sweater if you wouldn’t be happy being seen in public in the top. So short sleeve/sleeveless/long sleeve top, then soft cardigan or sweater, then jacket or coat. I do often wear shorter sleeves in winter (but my winter is mild).

I don’t wear long sleeve poly tops or dresses even in winter. I can wear poly in a jacket if I know I can take it off.

I have banned long sleeve sweater dresses from my wardrobe (despite having great love for them) because you can’t layer them. If you get hot, your sunk. It happened to me once and I had to go home from work and get changed because I was so uncomfortable.

Hope this helps!

Anonymous

I agree with Brooklyn about natural fiber tops (but I rarely go beyond first choice and never beyond second), and also about being ready to reveal every layer, preferably without having to pull anything over my head, so cardigans and jackets in warm weather.

Also, no dark solids, no super tight weaves, no solid color silk. Prints are generally a good idea.

I don't understand the logic of it at all but the right camisole under a top can be surprisingly temperature stabilizing, even in warm weather.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I have this problem in summer. I’ve learned to be careful about color choice. Pastels are appealing in hot weather, but they really show sweat as they darken in the damp area. In fact I never wear khaki pants or anything like that because sometimes the lower back gets all dark from sweat- gross!!

What works well is very light or very dark colors- or lively prints- or technical fabrics. Also I carry a scarf which can catch neck sweat or hide an embarrassing sweat spot.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

When I was a teenager I actually used prescription antiperspirant that basically stopped the problem (before using it, I always had visibly wet underarms). That may be an option for you.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Jessikams, I was going to mention that I’ve seen a Lynx deodorant advertised recently (for men) that claims to reduce your body temperature by 6 degrees (Celsius). I don’t know if it’s marketing hype or not, but I keep meaning to buy one to try it out. Of course the fragrance might be masculine but I wouldn’t mind having that piece of magic in my handbag for emergencies.

sarah

Veteran

Scarlet - thanks for this post.

I have the same issue (lectures!!!!). And my office is freezing, so I have to wear wool sweaters and jackets to make it through the day.

I've tried those things you pin in the armpits, but they aren't great - they are sort of bulky and don't stay put, even with pins. I can't use the extra strong antiperspirant because I'm allergic to every underarm product under the sun, except the pure "crystal" kind. So, I'm anxiously awaiting any other clever ideas!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I wish I had some good ideas. I hate the idea of using the aluminum-containing antiperspirants, but I hate having damp armpits even more. When it's not hot and I'm not having a day of a lot of activity, I do try to use Native (I like the Coconut & Vanilla scent), but it only prevents odor, not the actual perspiration. I'm another one who starts sweating if I get the least little bit nervous.

https://www.nativecos.com/prod.....winter2018

anchie

Veteran

In my experience not all colors show the perspiration marks equally. I rarely sweat because I am hot, but when I am nervous it can be disastrous. When I know that I will have such a situation, I dress accordingly. Layers next to a skin in natural fabrics that I hope will soak the sweat, and then another layer in dark fabric to cover it

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I've given up on white silk shirts because of the sweat factor. I had a great one that was ruined with sweat stains. Dark colors are my friends.

karen13

Veteran

You are so not alone. I also “glow” - a lot! I only use crystal deodorant now but even when I used antiperspirants,they were insufficient. I do have a stick of “clinical strength” antiperspirant that I use once in a blue moon. I try to wear patterned looser tops in those situations. I have actual read somwhere there are medical treatments (I think I was in my dermatologistks waiting room) but They might pretty permanent and I would worry that sweating is such an important function for cooling.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lots of great ideas here.

My solutions based on some clients who sweat heavily under their arms are in some instances quite the opposite though. Again it's a personal thing, and you have to choose what works for you:

Use Certain-Dri if you are not allergic
Black and navy tops in cotton-rich fibres - fluid is better
Fluid patterned sleeved tops - and the polyester is great because it wicks away sweat like gear! Patterns are very forgiving on sweat marks in general.
No solid colour 100% silk
Dress in layers that look good when you peel off the layers - to Brooklyn's point.
With Jessikams on the very light or very dark colours.
A scarf is a great layer to take on and off - and hide sweat marks with.

I have friends and clients who have had successful botox treatments under their armpits to reduce sweating.

Anonymous

I have sauna summers (not complaining) and my solution is skirts, sleeveless and sandals I have not found a big difference with fiber content, though tend to wear woven fabrics at least on top in summer.

KMM

Not a fashion tip, but if you drink coffee/tea in the a.m. that might be contributing to the morning sweat. I had to give up caffeine for medical reasons and it really decreased my "anxiety sweat" during the day. Just thought I'd mention it

Also, I used to stick a tissue down the front of my bra, for cleavage sweat. Not glamorous but quite absorbent!

sarah

Veteran

Hmmm...Angie, I have wondered about the Botox option.

I'm tired of ruining silk shirts and have switched to polyester because it doesn't get ruined by the sweat and launders easily. I still have to dry-clean my jackets more than I'd like.

Scarlet

Veteran

Thank you for all the tips and perspectives. I really appreciate a frank discussion of the topic.

I want to share some of my observations too. I rarely use anti-perspirants because they don’t stop me from sweating, and they stain my clothes. Having said that, I concede that Certi-Dry does make a difference, but I am hesitant to use such a strong product all the time due to quite possibly unfounded fears about whether it is healthy.

I try hard to avoid tops that are cut too close under the arm, but it can be difficult to avoid. I avoid most synthetics as the lack of breathability makes me sweat more.

Angie, interesting about the polyester. Do you have an insight whether woven or knit is better? I can never remember which synthetic wicks and dries as oppose to just being unbreathable. I know viscose and modal (and cotton too, but not as bad) are tricky for me because once they are wet they take a long time to dry.

Sarah, yes, the office is always freezing and the room where I teach is always hot… I had some of those armpit guards sewn into my silk blouse and dress because I realized at some point that sweat makes the colors run on silk They do function to protect the garment, but the delicate washing of the silk DOES NOT get the smell out of the pads after a couple of years. I guess it’s time to cut them out and start over.

I have also tried these dress guards (link below) that don’t require sewing or pins. They help, but they are fussy to put on, and then they hold the wet feeling against your skin all day, which is unpleasant.

http://m.kleinerts.com/Shop/pr.....gLgr_D_BwE

Deodorants that suppress stink for me are Old Spice (the blue kind) and Kopari (coconut oil based). Janet, thanks for your rec. I hadn’t heard of that one.

I wish for a magic moisture-wicking undershirt that doesn’t interfere with my necklines.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Scarlet, WOVEN polyester tops in fluid fits are quite marvelous. Have you tried Certain Dri?

Sarah, botox is worth investigating, and LOVELY to see you pop in. Miss you.

sarah

Veteran

Sounds like we are living parallel lives, Scarlet!

Angie - you're sweet.

ophelia

Veteran

The most miniscule amount of synthetic fiber increases my sweat output. I notice a huge difference when I stick to 100% cotton--which is getting harder and harder to find.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Ophelia, I’m the same. 95% cotton and 5% elastane and, boy, do I notice the elastane!

Scarlet, I have found that spraying the underarm area of garments with white vinegar before machine washing can help to get rid of persistent sweat smells. Also drying in open air (sunshine).

Bijou

Veteran

I live in a hot climate and agree with Brooklyn that 100% cotton tops are definitely a good option to keep perspiration free. I have bought some great ones from Uniqlo (in Finds) that were inexpensive and very light weight gauzy cotton.

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I just got an Instagram ad for these. Anyone tried them?

https://wearnumi.com/

Eva

Jenn, I hadn't heard of the brand but I googled it and found a review of the numi shirt and shirts from some other brands on manrepeller:
https://www.manrepeller.com/20.....-knix.html

sarah

Veteran

Just to clarify, that my suggestion for polyester was for wintertime, when I sweat because of being up in front of a class, etc. In the summer, when I sweat because it's hot, I wear natural fibers!

Scarlet

Veteran

Ophelia, interesting, I will start paying attention to my blends.

Brooklyn, good tip, I will try it.

Bijou, those look perfect! I never would have thought to check Uniqlo.

Jenn, looks interesting.

Eva, off to read those reviews. Could be worth trying.

Sarah, thanks for the clarification. I am leery of synthetics. I feel like a few of them have been great and some are awful. There must be a quality issue that is hard to nail down.

Angie, Certain Dri makes a big difference.

Helena

Veteran

Lots of great suggestions, and I'll just add that I have a Knixwear undershirt to wear when I'm worried about perspiration ... Think the Numi link that Jenn provided is the same idea.