There was once a time in my life–a dark, terrible time–when I refused to wear dresses. I’ve never been a member of team #ThighGap–my thighs have been BFF since the day I was born–and wearing dresses in the summer seemed to be a privilege afforded only to women whose thighs had never been acquainted. I thought wearing shapewear like Spanx was the only way to keep my thighs from chafing, and man, have you ever tried to pull on a pair of Spanx in the middle of July? The experience would leave me a sweaty mess, and then I’d have to spend an untold amount of time reapplying for my makeup, fixing my hair, drinking two liters of water to re-hydrate, etc, etc.
Eventually, I decided that there had to be a better way to live–there had to be a better way to ward off chub rub. A little bit of research proved that I was right: there are tons of different ways to keep your thighs from chafing, and none of them involve struggling to pull on a pair of Spanx. The following is a list of five of the most effective (and affordable!) ways to fight chub rub this summer.
1. Body Glide For Her ($7.99, .80 oz)
Body Glide is the quintessential anti-chafing balm for runners, which means it’s made to work. This stuff is water-resistant, allergen-free, child-friendly, incredibly long-lasting, and vegan-approved. Body Glide looks like a small stick of deodorant, so you can toss it in your bag and go. Apply it to your thighs (or wherever else you need to ward off chafing) before you put on your clothes and reapply as necessary. Body Glide is a great option for the girl who would rather carry a bit more weight in her purse than wear an extra layer in the summer.
2. Bandelettes ($15.99)
Bandelettes are God’s gift to #TeamNoThighGap. Seriously, how cute are these? Bandelettes are the perfect solution for the girl who doesn’t want to wear bicycle shorts under her dress or carry around an extra product in her purse. The non-slip silicone bands hold the lace in place while you go about living your life. Bandelettes come in five different colors: black, brown, beige, red, and white. Oh, and if lace isn’t your thing, then consider the unisex solid band Bandelette.
3. Monistat Complete Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel ($9.49, 1.5 oz)
This product made the list for two reasons: 1) It works, and 2) The Internet tells me that it can be used as a primer. For your face. For your makeup. For real. Anyway, Monistat’s Complete Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel is fragrance-free and is gentle enough to be used to prevent chafing in your nether regions, thighs, boobs, wherever.
4. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste ($5.93, 3 oz)
I learned about Boudreaux’s Butt Paste from my cousin, a hardcore long-distance biker. Butt Paste is his go-to product to fight against chafing during his crazy long bike trips. The best part about this stuff–aside from the fact that it’ll keep those thighs feeling smooth and silky–is its smell. It’s like a lovely and light vanilla sort of scent, and who wouldn’t want their thighs to smell faintly of baked goods?
5. Addition Elle long-leg bike shorts ($25)
These are the shorts I’ll be wearing under my dresses to ward off chub rub this summer. As promised, these shorts aren’t spandex or shapewear (OK, so they’re 10% spandex, but that’s all, I swear)–they’re just thin, 90% cotton shorts that don’t ride up, don’t fall down, and don’t let your thighs rub together. Pulling these shorts on and off is as easy as sliding on a pair of underwear. The lace detailing is a nice touch.
So, what are your methods for fighting against chub rub? Any DIY remedies out there? What’s worked for you and what hasn’t? Share your secrets in the comments below!
(Featured photo: Shutterstock)