Shopping to hide sweat: 3 glorious rules

Shopping when you sweat too much can be tough. So when you look for clothes that limit or hide your perspiration, you want to follow these 3 glorious rules: pick the right fabric, pick the right color, and pick the right fit/cut.

Ideally, you want to nail all 3 so that you will be comfortable, won’t sweat too much, and will look fabulous (a.k.a. have no sweat showing). A lot to ask for, right?! But we’re humans and if you’re stubborn like me, you may still REALLY want that shirt or these pants! Even even if they are are too tight, or in a synthetic fabric, or in a pastel color! And that’s OK, as long as you make sure they have characteristics that make up for one another!

So let’s review together all the scenarios and how to go about each of them.

Scenario 1: Nailing all 3

“I’m up for the challenge and want to pick the right fabric, the right color, and the right fit.”

This is actually not impossible and pretty easy!

Pick the right fabric: one that is breathable, comfortable, easy to care, and decently priced. Your best friend will be 100% cotton clothes, including cotton-based fabrics such as denim.
Pick the right color: to avoid any mishap, just go with black or white tops. They won’t show sweat as much as light or solid shades. You could go for patterned, but that’s more complicated. If you like them and want more originality though, check out my article on how to pick the right pattern.
Pick the right fit/cut: simply avoid pieces that will be super tight where you sweat the most. For example, if you tend to sweat from the armpits, avoid t-shirts that are super tights under there. If you tend to sweat from the chest or back, avoid clothes that will be stuck to your skin, etc. Basically, pick pieces that lets your sweaty parts get some air! And you can have clothes that are tight where you can handle it.

Is that doable?

Not only is the above doable, but it will drastically simplify your shopping and your wardrobe. In following these 3 rules, you are filling your closet with basic, easy to care, and timeless pieces. This means black and white cotton t-shirts, shirts, and sweaters. Black cardigans, sweaters, dresses, ties. Black or dark blue pants and denims. Pretty simple, right?

And simple does not mean boring! First, black is always chic. Second, you can accessorize a simple black outfit with colorful scarves, bags, shoes, makeup, etc. That will also bring your personality upfront! Having basics in your wardrobe frees up budget for nice statement pieces instead (such as a fine-quality jacket or coat, a fancy watch, etc).

Last but not least, black and white basic pieces always match! Your morning routine and weekend/holiday packing will get easier!

The Ideal Scenario

dressing in black is an easy solve - shopping with hyperhidrosis

The easiest solution is to dress all in black – photo: Tyler Nix via Unsplash

Scenario 2: If you pick the wrong fabric

“I know leather/silk/polyester, etc. will make me sweat but I really want that one piece of clothing.”

So you’re thinking of getting that silk shirt, or that suede jacket, or that leather skirt? These are not the most breathable fabrics so get ready to get a bit wet. Now that you’ve accepted the idea, let’s see how it can at least be hidden!

First, you’ll need to pick the right color for it, a color that won’t show you’re sweating underneath. A safe color is always gonna be black, but white or patterns are good alternatives too. So black nylon, leather, etc. will be ideal.
Second, ensure you pick the right fit. The piece you get needs to be lightweight enough that you can breathe in it, and it should not be tight in your usually sweaty spots. You want to let these parts of your body get a chance to feel the breeze. Cut-outs in the piece you are about to buy can help: they can be actual cut-outs, or kind-of cut-outs (lace on the fabric for example). That can also be materialized by t-shirts with low arm holes.

In a few words:

if you want to get clothes in a fabric that’s not breathable, then get them in black and make sure you pick a fit and size that won’t stick to your body.

Scenario 3: If you pick the wrong color

“I really like gray, blue, pink, etc. though.”

Some colors simply show more than others. You’ve must have seen these people in light blue shirts at work, or in grey t-shirts at the gym with those huge sweat marks?

You should avoid pastel/ light/ medium/ bright shades of any color such as blue, pink, grey, red, purple, etc.
You should focus on white or darker shades such as black, navy blue and dark shades of all other colors. But ideally stick to black, white or patterns.

But sometimes you really want to lighten the mood or spice up an outfit with a bright red, a pale yellow, etc. If this is your case, then you will need to make sure the cut and the fabric are right.

To find the right fit/cut, simply keep in mind that you want to let your body breeze. So, something a bit large will help (a bit, not too much of course).
And you’ll need the get the right fabric to get away with wearing pastel/ light/medium/bright colors without having sweat show (but each comes with a trade-off):
- Wool and cashmere: Sweat won’t show much on a pastel/light color wool-like sweater, and it will keep you warm, but it will make you sweat. It shouldn’t show too much, but just in case it’s safer side and more comfortable to wear a cotton t-shirt or shirt underneath. (on that topic, see my articles about layering).
- Spandex and nylon (blended, or separate): these will make us sweat, but at least it won’t show. Note that these fabrics are very tight though, these can be found in swimsuits, yoga pants, etc.

In a few words

if you want to get pastel/light/medium/bright shades clothes, think of Spandex and nylon for the summer, and of wool and cashmere for the winter.

pick wool in the winter - shopping with hyperhidrosis — If you really want color in your outfit, pick it in the right fabric, like wool in the winter. Wearing it as an outside layer like on this picture is also a good idea to ensure you have layers underneath to absorb. photo via unsplash

Scenario 4: If you pick the wrong fit

“It’s so tight no air can go through, but I really like that piece.”

If you like tight clothes your body won’t be able to breathe much. And it won’t evacuate the sweat. But that’s OK if you have the right color and the right fabric!

If the colors are pastel/light/medium/bright : you’ll need to go with Spandex & nylon for the summer, and wool & cashmere for the winter.
If they are white/black/dark: you will have more fabric options to choose from! 100% cotton and denim are ideal because they are breathable, and so easy to find and take care of! But if you’d like to explore more fabric options, read more in my post on how to pick the right fabrics when you sweat.

In a few words

if you want to get tight clothes, think of spandex & nylon for the summer, and of wool & cashmere for the winter. Or even better, get them in black to be safe.

spandex pants - shopping with hyperhidrosis — My fake leather leggings: if you really want something tight, go with something like a legging that won’t show and pick it in black.

As you can see, we have a few tricks in our sleeves to go around any of the glorious rule of 3! 😊

featured image: cam morin via unsplash

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Shopping to hide sweat: 3 glorious rules