Sweat spots: it’s a problem - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Sweat spots: it’s a problem

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Can you all explain something to me? What is up with the popularity of summer dresses in fabrics that REALLY show sweat? Light gray tee-shirt dresses. Light blue shirting-fabric dresses. I would have dark sweat spots all around the spine and, worse, underboob area.

Am I the only person who sweats in the summer or what? How do people wear these? Please tell me what I’m missing.

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

Anonymous

Haha!! Chica, I sweat too! More than I’d like. I am super cautious of light colors and costume jewelry for fear of damaging it or looking schlepy & wet.

Bijou

Veteran

Jessikams - just don't buy those items and stick to lovely cool white cotton!

Anonymous

Is it humid? Does wearing a cami under your clothes help to keep the moisture from getting on the outer layers?

Becky

Veteran

I also pay attention to the fabric I choose when purchasing, for this reason. Sometimes a fabric can be used for certain types of activities, but not others. I prefer a pattern to confuse the eye!

Thistle

Veteran

I think it's because they are so focused on aesthetics they forget practicality.

Sort of like the dearth of dresses with sleeves or length for so long!

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

This sums up why I tend to stick to black, white, and navy linen blends in the summer. Patterns help disguise sweat, too. Some just sweat more than others, unfortunately; humidity doesn’t help.

JAileen

Veteran

In the heat of summer our humidity is often less than ten percent. So usually I’ll feel salty/gritty rather than wet. The flip side of this is that I just bought over a dozen tubes of lip balm with sunscreen. I apply lip balm at least twenty times a day!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's really climate and person dependent -- some people simply don't perspire as much as others, and if you are in a dry climate (or you are always in AC environments) it won't be an issue, either.

This is one reason I tend to wear loose and/or sleeveless items on hot and humid days. No sleeves equal no (or fewer) sweat stains. Plus the area can "breathe."

Cotton (but not cotton with elastane), linen, and cotton-linen blends are your friends. Any polyester will increase the problem.

Anonymous

I second what SUZ said. Fabric and individual body mechanisms control much. For health reasons I use deodorant and not antiperspirant so I can't even depend on that to keep me drier hence the specific choice in fabrics.Style is also a factor in that I wear dresses and tops that are on the loose side to allow for air flow.

That said- I live for the warm weather and see AC as the bane of my summer existence. This is one person that never complains that "it is too hot".

Anonymous

I sweat. I sweat a lot. I look like I sweat a lot. My face, hair, and clothing showcase the problem.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree that many summer dresses and tops - esp. solid t-shirt styles that are not extra loose under the arms and bust - are not best suited to wear if you're going to be really out in the heat a lot. Maybe that's why dark navy and white are so popular in summer. And patterns. Another issue sometimes though is the dark fibers getting under your arms on sleeveless tops! UGH! I've retired more than one top over the years due to this.

I'm pretty accustomed to the heat so sweating is not a huge issue on just regular days of moderate walking (yesterday we took a short walk after lunch at it was about 94 F- and we made it without being "wet") but if I'm going to be really walking a mile or more, I'm def. thinking about what I want to wear so I don't "look" a hot mess for the next hour.

3style

Veteran

I use a light dusting of powder on key zones on very muggy days. I prefer something like Acure dry shampoo which is just lightly and naturally scented corn starch. I’ll instead use Gold Bond powder for serious exertion. I will occasionally use regular baby powder in a pinch if I’m going to only be outside, but I really hate that smell.

Helena

Veteran

I'm careful with my color choices in hot weather ... Colors and fabrics that show sweat I stay far away from! Definitely no light gray for me either! I also use one of those heavy duty over the counter antiperspirants in summer.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Texstyle, I hate that when clothing fibers get in your armpits! Looks so gross!

Thank you all for your tips, tricks and simple validation. I agree that patterns and prints are so helpful to disguise sweat marks— plus they’re fun!

cindysmith

Veteran

I've given up, and I just rock my underboob sweat because it's just too hot to care, and besides... everybody else has sweat spots too

I'm being serious, because we are already over 100F. Its ridiculous hot. So I've just given up and started laughing at it.

Echo

Veteran

I'm with Sterling; I sweat a LOT. Indeed, when I am in FL or LA during the warmer months I am pretty sure people think there is something wrong with me. I've often wondered whether this has something to do with where one is raised. Of course it has to do with one's own personal thermostat, as well, but I rarely see people who live in or are originally from very warm climates heavily perspiring. My comfort zone doesn't go much past 22 degrees C, but I almost never get cold in the winter.

bj1111

Veteran

Reading this while bundled in a comforter because the Midwest is having a ridiculous cold spell is hilarious and sad as I am a warm weather person but not too warm. Ok I’m a Goldilocks weather person.

Underboob sweat didn’t bother me as I didn’t use to have much. Now I have to restrain the ladies so the bra manages to absorb just enough so it’s not embarrassing.

Underarm sweat is the bane of my clothing choices. Chambray is the WORST in showing every droplet. I stick to white and navy per@gradfashionista and @texstyle.