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I love wearing dresses. I wear them all year.
Occasionally I’ll mix it up and wear a skirt.
I think dresses are super comfortable.
They’re also easy. No thought about making a matching outfit required. Just slip one over your head, pull your arms through and DONE!
Plus, they’re just pretty! And sometimes even twirly!
People tell me all the time, “I’d love to wear more dresses, but I can’t handle the chafing.”
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Oh, the evil chafing.
Chafing occurs when your skin rubs together. When wearing dresses and skirts, it’s usually the thighs rubbing together.
I’ve heard this referred to as “chub rub,” but I don’t think that’s accurate at all.
My pal Amy wears LuLaRoe’s XXS size and still complains of chafing 
I wear 2x and 3x and don’t have this problem.
Because I have a secret.
The secret to avoiding chafing while wearing dresses:
One word.
Undersummers.
Okay…two more:
Jockey Skimmies.
Both are a type of long underwear. Slip shorts. Shortlettes.
Awesomeness.
They come to mid-thigh.
They don’t ride up or bunch up.
They protect you from thighs rubbing together.
They are what allow me to wear dresses throughout the brutal Florida summers.
They aren’t shapewear. They move with you and are super comfortable.
Undersummers
Undersummers were created by CarrieRae, a plus size Texas woman who was tired of fighting with underwear, slips and pantyhose under her skirts and dresses in the heat. She and other models proudly pose in the shortlettes with minimal photoshopping used.
Jockey Skimmies
I fell in love with Jockey Skimmies while wearing Undersummers. They were given out to attendees at BlogHer last year (or perhaps the year before). They have the smooth look of a slip with the extra coverage of shorts. I’m sure there are similar products. These just happen to be the two I’ve tried and loved.
Which is best for avoiding chafing while wearing dresses?
Both Undersummer
A more affordable chafing option:
I haven’t tried these myself, but Fruit of the Loop has a very affordable option that appears to be comparable to the more expensive Undersummers and Skimmies.
Anti-chafing potions
Swipe on and your thighs will slide instead of chaffe.
OMG I was just having this conversation today and was raving about skimmies!!! If my skin rubs, I get hives and blisters. I haven’t worn skirts or dresses in ages and now I love them!
They are awesome!
Another little trick is deodorant. Sound nuts but it works. That’s what I’ve been using. But now I’m going to try skinntimates.
Do the XL of the undersummers really only fit size 16-18?
I wear the 2x – 20/22 – and find they fit to size. I’d say XL is pretty accurate at 16/18. They are stretchy, though, so there’s some wiggle room.
I’ve had good luck preventing rubbing by using Degree antiperspirant. I swipe it up and down both inner thighs in the morning and I’m good all day. I love being able to wear dresses again!