How to wear shapewear in hot weather and stay cool
How to wear shapewear in hot weather and stay cool: lighter styles, the right fit, heat rash prevention from dermatologists and the CDC heat warning signs.
Summer weddings, graduations, a July birthday. You want your dress to sit smooth, but it is 95 degrees outside. Can you wear shapewear in the heat without feeling miserable? Yes, with a few changes. Let us be honest first: any extra layer adds warmth. The goal is to keep that layer as light as possible and to know when your body needs a break.
Is it bad to wear shapewear in hot weather?
Not automatically, but heat changes the rules. Cleveland Clinic explains that heat rash forms when sweat gets trapped under the skin, and lists wearing tight clothing in warm conditions as a risk factor. Their advice for prevention is loose clothing made of breathable material. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also recommends lightweight, loose clothing made of cotton when it is hot.
Shapewear is snug by design, so it works against that advice a little. That does not mean you can never wear it. It means you should wear less of it, for less time, on the hottest days.
How do I stay cool in shapewear?
- Cover less. Skip the full-body piece and wear only what the outfit needs. If the dress just needs smooth hips and no thigh rubbing, a short is enough.
- Choose a lighter hold. Very firm compression traps more heat and sweat. Comfortable and smooth is the goal.
- Get the right size. Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Jamile Wakim-Fleming says if shapewear makes a mark, it is too tight. In heat, a too-tight piece feels even worse.
- Look for a cotton gusset. Cleveland Clinic notes that cotton lets skin breathe better than synthetic fabrics.
- Put it on last and take it off first. Get dressed right before you leave and change as soon as you get home.
- Blot, do not wipe. The AAD suggests blotting sweat with a clean towel, since wiping can irritate skin.
Our High Waist Shaping Short is one option for warm days. It is a seamless nylon and spandex knit with mid-thigh legs and a cotton gusset, made to smooth under dresses and keep thighs from rubbing. It is still a snug layer, so the tips above apply to it too. It also comes in The Smooth Day Kit, if you want a faja for cooler days and covers for thin summer tops.
Should I skip shapewear on the hottest days?
Sometimes that is the kindest choice. The CDC advises loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing in extreme heat and staying in air conditioning as much as possible. If you are spending hours outside in the sun, a looser dress with nothing snug underneath may be the more comfortable plan. If you do wear a layer, save it for the indoor part of the day, or bring it to change into once you arrive.
How do I prevent heat rash under shapewear?
- Keep skin cool with fans, air conditioning and cool showers, as the AAD suggests.
- Take breaks from the heat. Cleveland Clinic recommends frequent breaks to cool down and air conditioning or fans indoors.
- Change out of sweaty, tight layers. The AAD advises changing out of tight workout clothes and showering right after exercise, and washing sweaty clothes before wearing them again. The same habit helps after a long hot day in shapewear.
- Skip heavy creams on irritated skin. Cleveland Clinic says creams, lotions and powders can block pores on a heat rash.
What if I already have heat rash?
Cleveland Clinic suggests moving to a cooler place, removing clothing from the affected skin, washing gently with cool or lukewarm water and patting dry. A cool washcloth can help. Do not scratch, and talk to a pharmacist or provider before using an anti-itch product. See a provider if the rash does not improve after a few days, is painful or very itchy, or shows signs of infection like fever, chills or warm, swollen skin.
What are the signs I should take it off right now?
The CDC lists heavy sweating, muscle cramping, weakness and dizziness as signs of heat exhaustion. If you feel any of these, get somewhere cool, drink fluids and remove tight layers. The CDC also advises loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing in extreme heat and drinking plenty of fluids even when you do not feel thirsty.
And remember the usual shapewear signals. Cleveland Clinic warns that very tight shapewear can cause tingling or numbness, slow circulation to the legs and add to leg swelling. In heat, take those signs seriously.
Hot-day checklist
- Smallest piece that does the job.
- A size that leaves no marks.
- Water with you, and drink before you feel thirsty.
- Shade and air conditioning breaks.
- Shower and change when you get home.
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Questions
Is it OK to wear shapewear in hot weather?
It can be, if you choose a light style and a comfortable fit. Cleveland Clinic lists tight clothing in warm conditions as a risk factor for heat rash, so less coverage and less compression is better on hot days.
Can shapewear cause heat rash?
It can add to it. Heat rash happens when sweat gets trapped under the skin, and Cleveland Clinic says tight clothing in warm conditions raises the risk.
What fabric is coolest under clothes in summer?
The AAD suggests lightweight, loose clothing made of cotton in hot weather. Cleveland Clinic says cotton lets skin breathe better than synthetic fabrics.
What should I do if I get heat rash?
Cleveland Clinic advises moving somewhere cool, taking off clothing over the rash, washing with cool or lukewarm water and patting dry, and avoiding heavy creams that can block pores.
What are signs I am overheating?
The CDC lists heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness and dizziness as signs of heat exhaustion. Get somewhere cool, drink fluids and take off tight layers.
Keep reading
Sources: Cleveland Clinic: heat rash (prickly heat) · American Academy of Dermatology: summer skin problems you can prevent · CDC: protect yourself from the dangers of extreme heat · Cleveland Clinic: a doctor's advice on wearing shapewear