admin I love fashion in summer. For three months straight, I can throw on a dress without thinking about tights or jackets. But if you’ve got thick thighs, sundresses and breezy skirts bring another problem: thigh chafing. Walking the five minutes from my house to the subway in 90-degree heat makes me sweat everywhere—down my neck, under my boobs, and between my thighs. My thighs are especially bothersome because they stick together and rub, causing sensitivity, and, worst-case scenario, a rash.
This is not just a problem for me. Go on a Google search for “thigh chafing” and there are tons of product recommendations. So, I tested out a few to see which ones really worked. What I found was that different things work for different outfits. So, here is my new go-to trio for thigh chafing in summer.
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Cristina Cianci / Amazon1 For Miniskirts or High Slits: Bandelettes
These little strips of fabric may not look like much, but they have been my go-to for most outfits since the summer started. I wore them under work dresses and skirts. I also wore them under my bridesmaid dress at a July wedding (they peeked through the high slit a little bit when I danced, but I didn’t mind).
The Bandelettes have a sticky strip at the top and bottom so they don’t slide or slip during the day. The sizing is based on the circumference of the thickest part of your thigh. So you’ll need a tape measure to get your right size. I wear them higher up on my thighs, right where they touch and rub together. The lace kind of gives you a swishing sound when you wear them (sort of like stockings). There are other colors and fabric types, but I kind of like the lace because it feels like sexy garters—but way less complicated to pee in.
Buy it: $19, amazon.com
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Cristina Cianci / Jockey2 For Tea-Length Dresses: Jockey Skimmies
These were recommended to me by SELF’s editor-in-chief (who got the recommendation from her mother-in-law). This product is a cross between biker shorts and Spanx. They come in multiple iterations: different shades of nude, wicking and cotton fabric, long and short lengths. I got the longer, wicking version. These hot pants are great for days when you’re going to do a lot of walking. I find that since it’s more like underwear they also help soak up the sweat that goes trickling down my thighs on really hot days. They’re also great at stopping thigh jiggling in general. But since they are full shorts, they aren’t the best for under tight pencil skirts or body-con dresses where the seams can show.
Buy it: $20, amazon.com
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Courtesy of Author / Megababe3 For Shorts: Megababe
Though the Bandelettes and Skimmies were great under skirts, they didn’t help me with the thigh rubbing that happens below the cuffs of a pair of summer shorts. First I tried sprinkling my thighs with old-school baby powder, which worked for like five minutes. (But I will say that it is great for boob sweat; I like to use it to stop the sweat from getting out of control on days when I go braless in a sundress.) Then I tried a couple different anti-chafing sticks. This Megababe was my favorite. It’s silkier than a lot of other brands out there. And if you’re thinking just deodorant will work, you’re wrong (trust me). With this stick my thighs glide past each other, sort of like they are all oiled up, instead of sticking together. I rub this stick all along my inner thighs and it’s completely clear and doesn’t leave a residue on my clothes.
Buy it: $14, ulta.com
