When temperatures rise, it's natural to sweat. If you sweat more easily and more than others, you're not alone. There's nothing wrong with that—in fact, sweating is good for you. It opens pores, releases toxins and regulates body temperature. But when it happens on your way to work, at a party, or on a first date, it can be inconvenient to say the least.
While you might think that excessive sweating is something you can't avoid, there are ways to combat the problem, starting with your wardrobe. It's not just a matter of choosing a tank top style instead of a long-sleeved top, or shorts instead of long clothing. In fact, you don't even have to completely change your style because of a little sweat.
The key is to be intentional with your fabric choices. So, still wear your favorite mini dress, but choose cotton instead of viscose, nylon and leather. It might even be time to ditch your favorite denim in favor of crisp linen.
Fortunately, your wardrobe choices can help keep your perspiration to manageable (or at least less noticeable) levels. New York-based technical designer Shenan Fraguadas, who has worked with brands like Helmut Lang and Uniqlo, recommends choosing natural fibers, including cotton, pima cotton, linen and tropical wool. "[They] are generally better at absorbing moisture from the skin and allowing it to evaporate from the outer surface," says Fraguadas.
Here's a list of 9 fabrics you'd better avoid, from viscose to leather.
Viscose, rayon
Even though it is a popular textile, you may still be asking yourself “What is viscose?” Viscose, commonly known as rayon in the United States, is a man-made fiber made from cellulose chemically extracted from trees. Viscose fabric is slightly weaker than cotton, so it is often used to make delicate, lightweight garments. The synthetic fibers, while lightweight and breathable, tend to be water-resistant, causing "sweat accumulation, reducing evaporation, and causing discomfort and irritation," Fraguadas said.
silk
"Silk, although a natural fiber, tends to repel water" rather than absorb it, Fraguadas said. "It can become unpleasantly damp." If you've ever worn a silk shirt in muggy conditions, you may have noticed strong ripples in the fabric, especially in areas prone to sweat stains. When water comes into contact with silk, the fabric wrinkles and ripples, and when the silk dries, the texture becomes rougher. Silk also retains body odor very well. avoid.
Polyester/polyester blend
Polyester is perhaps the most common synthetic fabric and can be found in outdoor and winter clothing. It is durable and resistant to chemicals, mildew, abrasion, stretch and mildew. It's also water-resistant, which means it doesn't wick away sweat but instead allows sweat to accumulate inside the garment. And polyester, which is blended with natural fibers, isn't much better. “[Natural] fibers can hide, and [even] a 40 percent synthetic blend can create moisture,” Fraguadas says.
nylon
Nylon is completely synthetic, which makes it one of the top fabrics to avoid. Nylon is often used in fashionable sportswear and stockings, both of which can be very uncomfortable and cause the skin to chafe easily when you sweat. The only exception to nylon in summer is swimwear, where its low water absorption and water resistance are core to the garment's performance.
light colored fabric
Have you ever been to a crowded concert and didn't realize the guy dressed in head-to-toe black was drenched in sweat until he bumped into you? Dark fabrics make moisture less noticeable, while bright white fabrics are equally effective at hiding sweat stains.
The colors in the middle - light colors - are not good for those who sweat a lot. Light blues, light greens, any shade of gray and light tones of any color will show moisture on contact. Stock up on dark and white natural fibers for the warmer days ahead. When you look through your summer photos, you'll be glad you did.
denim
While denim is a beloved wardrobe staple, it's not always the best choice when the weather is hot. As much as you love skinny jeans or vintage denim trousers, cotton knitwear is obviously heavy and doesn't allow a lot of air movement between the fibers. Denim is one of the most durable materials on the market, but the result is a heavy weave, which is definitely the opposite of breathable. It’s time to put away your denim shorts and skirts before fall arrives.
spandex
It goes without saying that spandex is a no-go if you don't want to sweat. But be careful with spandex-cotton blends, too. Popular in fitted dresses and stretch jeans, this hybrid fabric offers unparalleled stretch. Meanwhile, the spandex-cotton blend is heavier, sacrificing thin, breathable fabric in favor of stretch.
leather
There's a reason why people avoid leather during the summer. Yes, even that cute mini skirt paired with a breathable camisole for a night on the town. Leather has zero breathability and will make you feel like you're stuck to your clothes once you start sweating. Remember the scene in Friends where Ross wears leather pants on a date and is sweating profusely? You should probably avoid this at all costs.
acrylic fiber
Although acrylic is marketed as moisture-wicking, all bets are off when you consider that it is one of the least breathable fabrics on the market. Acrylic fabric is a synthetic fiber blend that is very hot against the skin and often itchy, so while it may wick away your sweat, it's likely the reason you get wet in the first place.
