How to tell wicking fabric?

cloud9

Angie's post about sports bra got me thinking. I really need regular bras that can wick away sweat from me. I seem to be sweating under the "girls" and causing some allergic reaction.

I'm in the process of finding bras that can wick away sweat and see if that helps. Many sports bras are T or racer back which would means the straps are closer to my neck and would show under shirts other than crew neckline. How can I tell if certain fabric can wick? Does it has to be labelled such? Does anyone know any non-sports wear that has this feature? Any other recommendation from you wise YLF ladies? TIA...

9 years ago

Dressing

5 replies

Latest reply was from cindysmith

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. One idea is to head over to Wacoal. They make sports bras in wicking fabric that look like regular bras. (I wear them actually). Hopefully, that solves the problem.

Nordstrom

Wacoal 'Clear Comfort - 856114' Sports Bra

$58.00 $34.79

Sale

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Top Pick

Nordstrom

Wacoal '855170' Underwire Sports Bra

$65.00

View Info

Top Pick

Amazon

Freya Women's Active Underwire Sports Bra

View Info

Top Pick

9 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

How about fabric that's not in a sports bra? I've been surprised to learn that athletic leggings and tops made from some of the same fabers that have irritated my skin in the past not only wick moisture away, but are very comfortable. This must be due to new ways of using the basic material to make the fabric. I have occasionally come across clothing items made from those fibers that are not athletic gear that are surprisingly comfortable for my skin. Usually, however, non-natural fibers are just as irritating as ever.

Is there an easy way to tell (other than visiting the store in person) if the fabric is a comfortable, working type or if it's the old style?

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I've lived in the American south my entire life, so I've dealt with heat/humidity/sweat for 47 years and counting. Here's what I've discovered; YMMV.

Moisture-wicking fabrics are synthetic, so checking fiber content should tell you whether it's going to hold sweat against skin and cause chafing, or help pull sweat away so it evaporates.

Anything cotton, linen, or silk will likely hold moisture. I wear these fabrics a lot because they facilitate air movement which is important to me on an oppressive day.

rayon/viscose/bamboo are what I call pseudo-synthetics. They're made from a natural fiber and then treated to make them act like synthetics. Generally, these fabrics behave like natural fibers when it comes to moisture retention (in my experience). They probably won't wick moisture very well, if at all.

While it isn't a foolproof method, checking fiber content should at least give you a place to start when looking online. Look at the fiber content of the moisture wicking fabrics, then look for that fiber content in other fabrics. It may not be advertised as moisture wicking in another garment, but might function much like the material billed as moisture-wicking.

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Cindy Smith! Your first group is what I mostly wear. I'm starting to experiment with the second group, and sure wish I could figure out the secret to finding the right stuff in the last group.

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I wish I could too. Some of it pills and some of it doesn't, and price/brand seems to be irrelevant.

7 years ago

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