Thursday, May 31, 2012

Dealing with Chub Rub Part One: Shapewear/ Bike Shorts

I wanted to take a break from OOTD posts and Weekly Wishlists to talk about a curvy girl issue close to my heart. As much as I love spring and summer there is one little problem- chub rub. Chub rub is the irritation caused when your thighs rub together when you walk, and it doesn't just happen to plus size girls! I've had thick thighs for as long as I can remember. The first time I had issues with chub rub was the summer before my freshman year of college, when I was roughly a size 8. Sizes and pounds have come and gone, but irritated thighs remain.

I've found that the best way to totally prevent any irritation is to wear garments that cover the entire area. As a result, I almost always wear thigh slimming shapewear, tights, or bike shorts under my skirts and dresses. This presents its own set of challenges. Will the shorts or shapewear ride up or cause irritation? Will they be long enough? Will I get over heated? Can I afford several pairs?

In college I wore leggings or bike shorts under all my skirts and dresses. Bike shorts are surprisingly hard to find! They are the only thing I've ever been so desperate to find that I resulted to Walmart. Here are my favorites:

image via walmart.com

After college I put on a little weight. I also became a city girl. With all that walking I wanted something more durable and more supportive. I tried a bunch of different brands and styles of shapewear over the course of a few years. I found most of them to be too tight, too restrictive, or just too hard to get up and down. I didn't want to feel like I was wearing a girdle, or 10 pairs of control-top pantyhose! Finally, while browsing the intimate apparel section of Marshall's, I found the perfect solution.

image via maidenform.com

These little guys are amazing! They're lightweight, they aren't too binding, they stay where they're supposed to, and they're slimming. Plus the lace bottoms make them delicate and feminine. What more could a girl ask for? I got these thigh slimmers last spring at Marshall's for $12 each (I have two nude pairs and two black pairs). I think they'll last me a few more years because they still look brand new.

I still wear bike shorts on windy days and when I'm wearing shorter skirts, but my Flexees are my favorite. I won't wear a pencil skirt without them! What is your favorite shapewear garment?

Thanks for reading this text-heavy post. Next week I'll write a little about products to reduce chub rub.


23 comments:

  1. I use deodorant. Or rather, anti-perspirant. I found the tip on the internet and so far this season its working.

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    Replies
    1. I've tried that. For me it just rubbed off. I have a few alternative products I'll talk about in the next post:)

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  2. This is a great post, those Flexees look like they are perfect for the job!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  3. I just ordered those Danskin shorts from Wal-Mart online because I knew I could wear them over the summer under my dresses! I prefer high-wasted shapers from Spanx, but it's just too dang hot in the summer, so I guess my gut's gonna be on full display this summer!

    I want to create my own shapewear- I've got a GREAT idea, but I don't know anything about manufacturing or making and selling things.

    I'm still going to do a write up on this eventually, and I will link to yours. I'm hoping we've used different products, so I can try yours and then you can try mine!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Putting spanks on is such a workout! I just can't pay that much for that much torture. I look forward to your post:)

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  4. Hi. Just found your blog and love it! As for me, I like the DKNY Smoothies for under my skirts and dresses, but will try the Maidenform ones as well; I like the touch of lace.

    Great post, can't wait to read more!

    Gracey
    http://fashionforgiants.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DKNY smoothies? I've never heard of those. I'll have to check them out!

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  5. I want to try the maidenform ones, thanks for sharing.

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  6. this is a great post! i recently found a pair of assets shapewear in a drawer that i don't really remember buying but probably got on clearance at target. i wore them recently with a pencil skirt and they helped me feel more confident and i could tell they were slimming, but the top waistband is really high, haha. i think i really need to spend some time looking at some other options so i appreciate the ones you shared!

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  7. Awesome post! I currently get by with bike shorts from American Apparel but they've been riding up more lately and that's just annoying. Definitely would not be able to handle Spanx on such a regular basis. I did buy a pair of Danskin triathlon bike shorts and I love how high tech it is with the silicon grippy things, but since your picks are both at such good price points I will probably try them out. I have a couple pairs of pettipants too and those are nice for being breezy, but they can still get bunched up and since they're made of polyester, they can feel a bit plasticky at times. I've also tried some stuff from Luvees, which I would not recommend. Very uncomfortable and didn't really do the job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always wanted to try petti pants. The breeziness aspect is definitely appealing.

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  8. i think that under garments are SO under-rated. they make a huge difference in the final look of an outfit..plus they make you feel more comfortable and confident. i'm a huge fan of slips..i'll have to try the shorts!

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    Replies
    1. Agreed. They call them foundation garments for a reason! A good bra and my flexees are all I need!

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  9. I am going out and I am buying those maidenform undergarments! They don't look like they would cut into the thigh where they end and that lace makes them look so lovely! (I sure was wishing I'd had a pair like these yesterday!) I think most of us deal with the rubbing, unless you have super toned thighs, it's going to happen. I almost never wear skirts when I go for longer walks, just becuase of this! I can't wait to see what products you recommend, I've tried the baby power, but it just looks really strange and then super gross if you sweat. :P A really great post dear!

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    Replies
    1. I've never experienced them cutting into the thigh. I do recommend air drying them as they shrink a bit when you put them in the dryer.

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  10. grownandcurvywomanJune 1, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    Great post! I wear my Spanx year round! I can't leave the house without them! But they are very expensive and I've been looking for a cheaper alternative. Thanks for introducing me to the Maidenform thigh slimmers! I'm going to get them this weekend & give them a try.

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  11. grownandcurvywomanJune 1, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    Great post! I wear my Spanx year round! I can't leave the house without them! But they are very expensive and I've been looking for a cheaper alternative. Thanks for introducing me to the Maidenform thigh slimmers! I'm going to get them this weekend & give them a try.

    ReplyDelete
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  14. Try Undersummers Shortlettes. They are made just for this and comfy! www.undersummers.com

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
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Thanks for reading. I would love to hear your thoughts!