Target chambray shirt (similar), Calvin Klein leopard pumps (similar)
This outfit comprised of all old garments isn’t anything special, but I wanted to share a quick tip discovered out of it. I’ve been trying to stretch my lighter pieces into this season by layering aggressively for warmth. Perhaps a little too warm…because when I took off this blazer at work, there were unsightly damp spots at both underarms. Such spots are especially noticeable on materials like light chambray or silk. You bet I put my blazer right back on!
I know some will be quick to suggest simple deodorant, but the sweat-prevention aspect of deodorant has never worked for me, and I don’t like the residue. Studies have also showed that some anti-perspirant agents, when combined with your body heat or moisture, actually worsen the stains that result afterwards. While brainstorming for solutions, I remembered designing dance costumes for a friend in college. His special request was something to prevent visible perspiration on the silk, and I had suggested sewing shoulder pads into the underarm area…
Inspired by that notion, it suddenly hit me to use panty liners. They stick easily into clothing, are designed to absorb moisture, and don’t leave stickiness behind. Most women have these lying around the home. 
I’d recommend this tip only with shirts that will be tucked in, to lessen the risk of a liner falling out of your blouse at the end of a long day (and having to explain that to friends or colleagues!). I’ve been using this trick for chambray and silk blouses, and it’s been working nicely. Even if you don’t really sweat, even the tiniest bit of perspiration can result in stains, especially on white garments, so I see this as a preventative step to protect clothing between washes.
Love he color scheme of ur ootd, and the chambray collar poppin out!
Xoxoo
Diana
Aww man, that's ingenious! Totally doing this with silk tops. I've inherited the unfortunate sweat glands of my father…
Interesting idea! You can't see the panty liner at all through the material? Also, how do you get it to stay, surely the stickiness of the liner isn't enough?
Another trick I've heard that's more geared towards yellow stains on white shirts, is to spray it with vinegar after each wear.
I actually do like the whole look together, though I could do without the elbow pads on the blazer. Everything else looks pretty good. I thought the first pic was a bit awkward but that might just be how it was shot.
It's very JCrew chic, Jean is like the tiny version of Jenna Lyons lol.
great look! love the dress 🙂
chocolatefashioncoffee.blogspot.com
Yes, I agree with (the other) Anonymous. This post was very unexpected. :))
Try garment shields. They are designed to protect garments from underarm stains and they absorb odors and wetness. You safety-pin or tack them into place. Some are made from fabric so they can be removed for washing; others, you dispose of after a couple of wears. Or you can make your own. Check your fabric store.
P.S. I love your fashion sense.
I've used panty liners as a last-resort method of preventing blisters from new shoes, but I've never thought to use them to prevent sweat! Interesting idea! 🙂
You should be able to find dress shields for armpit areas at any fabric store.
correction: chambray shirt. lol.
Thats a fantastic idea!! And I love the layered outfit. My only problem now is removing current sweat stains =/
All in the spirit of debating and not to criticize. I sometimes put together outfit with ambitious plan to coordinate and it backfire on me. So, I read a bit of tips from Jcrew mag and other mag regarding pairing things in an outfit. So in my humble opinion (to Jean and two above anon persons) I thought that the thing that kind of not fitting well with the outfit is actually the chambray dress. For a few reasons: first it is cotton (dress is polyester ish) and secondly it is out of color family (neutral/brown) and thirdly it is kind of stripe so it too busy to go with the jacket. So to sum up either the jacket was plain color like brown or black, the shirt was of similar texture to dress or glossy and light color like (pastel colors/aqua/light green or bold like emerald or burgundy etc). the shoe is fine. Just my humble opinion ladies.
But Jean you gave us something to talk about. Love your blog Jean and learn a lot from you….thanks so much. We all have different tastes so be it.
peace
m
Love the outfit and what a great idea… seriously… Why haven't I thought of it? lol
happymedley.blogspot.com
Jean this is a brilliant idea! I've always struggled with underarm stains for YEARS and it influences the way I shop and being more selective with my clothes… so thank you sooo much for sharing this tip!! This gives me so much more freedom in choosing new clothes! 🙂
Love the outfit and love the suggestion of pantyliners.
One thing to watch for…some pantyliners have small gel dots in them that absorb wetness (like diapers, as unfortunate as the comparison is). If you cut them in half the gel stuff can come out all over your clothes. Not classy : )
Love the outfit combo, but especially loving that tulip dress on you. I think I remember seeing somewhere about a product that was made specifically for absorbing underarm sweat, like your panty liner idea. I can't remember what it's called exactly though.
When I was on dance team in high school, we were required to wear sweat guards under our costumes to protect them (each costume was hundreds of dollars). We found them at fabric stores. They're not very cute, but they did the trick. Since they have straps they stay in place too.
Great topic! I've been avoiding buying any shirts that makes the armpit sweat marks since high school…so for 2 decades… I've been wearing loose clothing on purpose, darker knits, and short sleeve t shirts under all button-up shirts to prevent my profuse sweating from showing through, haha. Glad you brought this to attention! The panty liner seams a great idea for occasional need. But ooh, just read Lesley's comment above about Kleinerts…I'm gonna head over there to check out what she is using…wow didn't know these products exist!
great idea. i've got to try this.
Very clever way to prevent underarm staining that you thought of. I love the layering with the chambray shirt underneath the pale pink dress. It's such a pretty color!
xoxo,
Suzie Q
http://www.StyleCueBySuzieQ.com
I totally did NOT expect this! I was thinking you'd use them to take the dusty lint off, but that's what lint rollers are for…great idea Jean!
Quick Question – Have you come across any problems with the adhesive on your clothing specifically on your silk garment?
This comment has been removed by the author.
Great idea…. but now that I think about it.. maybe nursing pads would be better because they are not too long
Sorry, Anon, but now would a neutral dress look good?! Too plain. I think this works nicely, actually. Match match went out about 12 years ago.
What a great idea for shoes! I bought those Summer Soles (which work great), but they're a little pricey. Do you find that the pantiliners remove cleanly from shoes? And how often do you replace them?
in japan and probably all of asia, they sell armpit inserts for clothing. this definitely comes in handy since it can get really humid over there.
oh wow, what a great idea! i will definitely be trying this.
Great post, I've used a pantyliner as a sweat protector, but mine always ended up migrating down my sleeve. Haha. After searching high and low I came across this company, Kleinerts that makes all sorts of sweat protection items. I purchased the Valara style which is a nylon cami type thing with short sleeves and ending around where your bra would end. Pads under the arms protect from sweat and the best thing its machine washable. Comes in neutral colors and is reasonably priced. I've saved a ton on dry cleaning since I've used it and also no fears of the dreaded damp spots, or a pantyliner falling out of your sleeve!
Wow… I never thought of that. Definitely will try it next time the occasion arises…which may be soon considering my client's conference room I'm working in is 26 degrees C and outside it's already hitting the below 0…
The pantyliners in the armpits… wonderfully brilliant!!
The ensemble… your outfits are getting awfully mismatched and a little odd looking lately (even though you probably have put a lot of thought into your pairings)… for this particular pairing… so many different textures (polyester?, cotton, wool?, faux? leather)… not to mention so many different prints (chambray, mini check, leopard). I think the most glaring perhaps is the dress juxtaposed with those other textures… your outfit would look a lot more polished it it were a plain quality cotton dress (of similar neutral color of course) and a plain nude heel. I can see what you are going for though… it's like the blazer nicely pairs with the chambray… the blazer elbow patch goes with the leopard heels… the heels match the dress somewhat… the chambray with the dress and the blazer and the leopard together ???!
This is only meant to be constructive. This is very brave of you to try to mix and match and stretch your pieces to maximum wear… I do applaud that.
amazing, what a great tip!
Love that you shared this tip where other bloggers might be too proud to share that they actually sweat. I certainly do!
What a great tip!I would have never thought of that. I love when you do posts like these!
Great idea. Will definitely try it tomorrow. Thanks Jane.
Danielle
from http://Daniellescorner.com – Make it work being petite
good thinking! you look very cute.
my cousin does the same thing! and she also puts them in her shoes that make her feet sweat! =)
xoxo, jenn
the stylish housewife
I let out a big chuckle when I saw the pad stain preventer xD! I just told my boyfriend and he says he will be sporting this from now on 😀
I actually bought some "underarm sweat pads" from Daiso, the Japanese store. I think they were $2 for a pack of 4? Even still, I think your pantiliner trick is basically the same but cheaper.
Oh my gosh. What an awesome idea!! Will definitely try this done out 🙂 thanks for posting !!
I've heard of this tip before, but I've never needed to use it. But I might one day! 🙂
That is kind of weird but genius at the same time! Thanks for the tip Jean!
Such a pretty outfit! Love the dress!
Omg thanks for this haha, I was just thinking this because I get these stupid sweat stains all the time when I wear chambray or just any other button-up. It looks really gross. Is it uncomfortable or anything though?
Ha! I only sweat (under my arms, anyway) in oxford shirts, which is totally weird and random.
As I was reading your post, I thought "Hm, I wonder if it's panty liners" – and it was!! I recently discovered putting panty liners in certain shoes that make my feet sweat/slip to help with the same problem. Awesome suggestion 🙂
As soon as I read your post I had a feeling it would be the panty liner trick LOL! I luckily don't sweat too much but I remember this trick from high school that I had learned from a sales associate at a lingerie store 😛
i've been layering a lot too – wouldn't have thought of this!
xox P
That's genius! Thanks so much for the tip!
what a clever idea!
http://www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com
This is brilliant! I was just thinking that layering sweaters over my silk shirts wasn't going to work in the winter, but this is a great idea! Thanks Jean!
well this post was unexpected…!