Clothes are just clothes, right? Well, not really. The truth is that what we wear has a big impact on our lives for a number of reasons. First of all, our clothing dictates how we physically feel. Think about the differences in how you feel wearing an itchy wool sweater versus a slippery silky shirt. Or an oversized pair of sweatpants versus a tight-fitting pair of jeans.
The fabrics you wear and the way they’re cut can make a significant impact on your temperature, your comfort, and your state of mind. Because if you go out knowing that you’re wearing something ill-fitting and unflattering, your confidence levels will be quite different than if you’re wearing your favorite shirt that fits you perfectly and feels like butter on your skin. This matters even more if you're someone who gets particularly sweaty!
That’s why finding the right moisture-wicking t-shirt to wear can be life-changing. In this article, we’ll explain all the reasons why you need a moisture-wicking t-shirt.
Looking for clothing to help you manage an excessive perspiration problem? Social Citizen’s sweat-proof Social Tee is designed for people like you.
What Is a Moisture-Wicking T-Shirt?
A moisture-wicking t-shirt is a t-shirt made out of a special fabric designed to be able to pull moisture (sweat) from the skin to the outside of the shirt in order to be evaporated away. This type of fabric is quite often used in workout clothing since that is a situation in which people tend to get quite sweaty, but there are also clothes made for regular, everyday wear that have moisture-wicking properties.
How Do They Work?
To explain how a moisture-wicking t-shirt works, let’s start by going over what it means to wick moisture. You might recognize the word “wick” as that little waxy string that comes in the middle of candles. Indeed, a candle wick is called a wick because it does something called wicking. Wicking is a verb that refers to the action of absorbing liquid through capillary action.
Capillary action is the process by which a liquid flows up through some kind of channel even against the pull of gravity. When a candlewick pulls the wax from the candle up into the flame, keeping the candle burning, it’s doing so with capillary action.
So what does all of this have to do with clothing? Well, moisture-wicking fabric has the same ability to pull liquid up into itself and onto the other side. In the case of a moisture-wicking t-shirt, it’s usually sweat that gets wicked from the inside of your shirt to the outside, where it can be evaporated away. Poof, sweat begone!
Why Should You Wear One?
The point of moisture-wicking clothes is to pull sweat off of your body. What is this good for? Well, a lot of things.
First of all, sweat-wicking clothing can help you avoid looking sweaty. By pulling the sweat off of your body and allowing it to evaporate away, moisture-wicking fabrics can help prevent sweat stains. This can make a big difference in your confidence knowing that the people around you can (literally) not see you sweat. If you're someone who sweats, you know how frustrating that can be.
Sweat-wicking clothing can also make you more physically comfortable. After all, walking around in a wet, sweaty t-shirt can feel heavy and gross. We don’t know about you, but we’d rather just take our shirts off than wear a sweat-soaked t-shirt all day. (Thankfully for us and everybody around us, there are other options than just these two.)
It can also help you smell better. After all, body odor is usually caused by sweat interacting with the bacteria on your skin, causing a chemical breakdown that smells funky. If you can get the sweat off of your body, you won’t give it enough time to hang out with bacteria and start creating nasty smells.
And finally, sweat-wicking clothing will actually be cleaner and better for your health. Instead of letting you walk around with sweat and bacteria trapped under your clothes, creating a perfect environment for infections and fungus to grow, you’ll be clean and fresh.
Who Are Moisture-Wicking T-Shirts For?
Moisture-wicking t-shirts are really for everybody.
If you live in a hot climate where sweating is just part and parcel of daily life, a closet full of moisture-wicking t-shirts can be one of your greatest weapons in the attempt to stay as cool and comfortable as possible.
If you’re a person who does a lot of physical activity, you can also really benefit from sweat-wicking t-shirts. And we’re not just talking about athletes here. People with jobs that keep them on their feet or parents of young children who have to run around all day will definitely appreciate the benefits of sweat-wicking clothes.
And of course, if you’re someone who has a tendency to sweat more than the average person and/or suffers from an excessive sweating condition like hyperhidrosis, you’ll definitely want to have at least a moisture-wicking t-shirt or two to help you manage your body’s tendency to perspire more than usual.
Tips for Choosing the Moisture-Wicking Shirt
Okay, you’re sold! You understand how much better your life will be if you keep a few moisture-wicking tees in your closet. But which one do you buy? Here are some tips that can help.
First, you’ll want to think about what you’re planning to wear your sweat-wicking t-shirt for. You’ll be looking at completely separate considerations if you want something just for the gym as opposed to something for everyday wear. Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for out of a moisture-wicking t-shirt, here are some things to keep in mind.
Fabric
- For athletic moisture-wicking shirts, we recommend choosing fabrics like polyester and nylon.
- If you’re looking for something that is good for keeping you warm in cold weather (yes, some people sweat even when it’s cold out), polypropylene or merino wool are good choices for you.
- If you want something cozy for the winter, you’ll be happy to learn that wool can wick moisture.
- Want something super soft and comfortable to wear as an undershirt? Micromodal is the perfect option.
- Have a little extra money to spare on an anti-microbial fabric that feels soft and cool on your skin, perfect for warmer months? Try out bamboo.
Cut
- Some moisture-wicking t-shirts are cut just like any other normal t-shirt, making them appropriate for everyday wear.
- There are also moisture-wicking shirts that are cut close to the skin and extra long in order to be good undershirts
- You can also find moisture-wicking clothes made for working out that are designed to reduce chafing and offer compression.
Style
Let’s not forget one more thing that you’ll definitely want to take into account when choosing your moisture-wicking t-shirt: style. Again, this will depend on where you want to wear your sweat-wicking clothes. Some moisture-wicking shirts scream “technical athleticwear” which may be fine if you’re wearing them on a hike, but not as great for wearing to the office.
Other moisture-wicking shirts look just like a stylish t-shirt with a hidden secret power. These are a great choice if you’re planning to incorporate moisture-wicking clothes into your normal, everyday wardrobe.
How Social Citizen Sweat Proof T-Shirts Can Help You
If you’re looking into moisture-wicking clothing because you have a tendency to sweat through your clothes, leading to unsightly sweat stains, you may want to consider trying out one of Social Citizen’s sweat-proof Social Tees. These are designed specifically for people who perspire a bit (or a lot) more than most and want to boost their comfort and confidence.
The Social Tee is made of a breathable, absorbent fabric to help control your sweat and stop 100% of sweat stains - guaranteed. The hidden underarm bamboo pad fights odors while keeping your t-shirt looking clean and feeling fresh.
Best of all, the Social Tee is designed to look like any other fashionable t-shirt in your wardrobe, making it perfect for wearing any place you want to both as an undershirt or on its own. It comes in both men’s and women’s cuts and in several different colors to pair perfectly with any outfit. Check out the Social Tee today and never worry about sweating through your clothes again.
