Summer Mermaid Problems..

Let me preface this post by saying that I LOVE my thighs, and it's taken a long time to get here to this body positivity place, years of hiding them in pants.  

They are strong, they are beautiful and they are part of what make me "closer to being a mermaid".  And even when I curse the summer heat, I still love them. #thickthighssavelives

So, ok.. one of the dreaded parts of summer has arrived… chub rub.

That moment in the morning where you debate wearing a flowy dress and fighting the pain of your mermaid legs rubbing together or wearing pants and dying of heat.

I spent years avoiding dresses or skirts because of it and thought I was alone until I realized that all women dread the summer chafe. 

I’ve found a few solutions over the years, but honestly by the end of this post I think you will agree that my third solution is the best.

#tbt to my first Today Show appearance

Spanx

The first time I wore Spanx was on The Today Show for a battle between the hosts to dress the models in a minute or less.  I got a pair of reversible Spanx and wore them to death. 

Pros included that they were reversible, they covered my bum while running up subway stairs and were shapewear so blended seamlessly under whatever I was wearing. 

But two hours into wearing them I felt so, so sweaty!  I loathed putting them on, but they were the easiest solution I could find.  Also I found them to sometimes be too long when I wore flowier skirts and hated having them show, so would often forgo them.

Lush Silky Underwear

It’s a loose powder that you can apply directly to the skin and saves your beautiful mermaid thighs from the heat and humidity.  A friend introduced me to this and I have to say for a while it was my go-to.  It works great, no skirt length issues and it smells like jasmine.

However you do have to reapply throughout the day, I usually transport it in a small container but it is really messy.  It’s a fine white powder and every time I would leave a bathroom it looked like I had some interesting extracurricular activities...

It’s definitely a good summer option, but messier than I would like when on the go! 

Bandelettes

This summer though I found, my ideal and most perfect solution, Bandelettes.

I was very weary of them, as someone who loves wearing thigh high tights but knows that without a garter belt they usually roll down.  I was skeptical and spent two summers hemming and hawing over them.  Until this year when I finally bit the bullet, my bestie and I ordered sets.

I have to say, I love them (and I know she does too).  I’ve had them about a month and they have been life changing.  They are super comfy, come in a variety of colors (I got nude to start), and stay up all day. 

Bandelettes are much cooler than shorts, but accomplish the same goal.  I also love the lace because even if it shows, they are cute!

Also I’ve been able to wear them with a variety of dresses, even tight body con ones and pencil skirts (see above!).

Photo of me wearing them under my dress at the Chandon event this weekend! 

I guess the only downside was that by the end of the day they were a little sweaty along the elastic band, but not enough to be bothersome or slip.

I would DEFINITELY recommend getting a set for the summer, you can order them online or on Amazon.  I had trouble finding my size on the site, so went to Amazon.  Definitely watch the video on how to figure out your perfect size, but in their FAQs they mention that they will exchange sizing if necessary!

Happy Mermaid Summer!  Please let me know what you think!