Throughout human civilization, how we’ve managed the unavoidable issue of human sweat has developed in parallel with advancements in textile technology and fashion. From the medieval use of undergarments to today’s high-tech fabrics, let’s take a look at the fascinating evolution of sweat-proof clothing.
Middle Ages to 19th Century
In the Middle Ages and throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, sweating was a serious issue. Bathing wasn’t as common as it is today, and clothing was expensive to make and maintain, meaning that it was important to keep it in as good condition as possible. To combat sweat stains, people began wearing linen undergarments to avoid soiling their outer garments with sweat, oils, and dirt. Linen, a natural fiber, is quite durable and can be washed frequently, which was an advantage at a time when people’s sanitary practices were not very great.
These undergarments served as a layer separating the skin from the other clothes, catching the sweat and preventing it from penetrating through to the outer garments, which were typically made of finer materials. While these linen garments were not necessarily sweat-proof in the modern sense of the word, they were light, breathable, and had a very important function of keeping clothes clean and prolonging their lifespan.
20th Century Innovations
The 20th century saw many developments in fabric technology starting with the introduction of synthetic fabrics such as Lycra and Nylon in the mid-20th century. These materials provided new opportunities for clothing construction, including stretch and strength properties that natural fibers couldn’t provide. However, the first types of these synthetic fabrics had a significant disadvantage – they were not breathable. Rather than controlling sweat, they tended to trap it against the skin, which caused discomfort and even irritation and rashes.
The big revolution came in the 1970s with the creation of GORE-TEX. This fabric was a breakthrough in the search for sweat-proof clothing. GORE-TEX was created to be both breathable and waterproof, allowing perspiration to evaporate out of the fabric and stopping water from getting in. This combination of breathability and waterproofing made GORE-TEX famous for outdoor and activewear, raising the bar for performance fabrics.
Looking for clothing that will stop 100% of your underarm sweat stains from showing? Try out the latest shirts from Social Citizen, built with sweat proof underarm protection that is proven to boost confidence.
Modern Advances
In the last quarter of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century, the appearance of athleisure—clothing that is a combination of athletic and casual wear—contributed to the further development of sweat-proof clothing. Clothing that could absorb sweat and other body moisture became the focus of this trend, providing the comfort and flexibility the modern consumer demanded.
The fabrics previously used only in sportswear, became popular in more casual clothing because they could keep the wearer dry and comfortable in different environments, even including business environments. The use of sophisticated wicking technologies meant that sweating didn’t have to be a source of embarrassment and discomfort anymore; instead, it was dealt with by the clothing itself.
And in recent years, modern inventions have gone even further in the development of sweat-free clothing. Sweat-proof clothing companies like Social Citizen make special clothes designed specifically to block sweat with hidden underarm pads, and they’re guaranteed to work. Other developments, like temperature-sensitive fabrics that enhance their wicking capacity when it’s required, sound like something from the future. But one thing’s for sure: clothing tech has developed enough that today, sweating is, well, no sweat.
Why Social Citizen?
At Social Citizen, we believe that sweat-proof clothing doesn’t have to be boring or look like athletic wear. Our garments incorporate the latest technology to prevent sweat stains while still being comfortable and fashionable to wear in any scenario. We know that your clothing is a part of who you are, and that’s why we’ve developed a range of sweat-proof clothing that’s as stylish as it is practical, making it a must-have wardrobe staple.
One of our loyal customers, Beatrice, recently shared this story about her experience with her Social Citizen shirts: “I would genuinely skip out on certain social events in the summer out of the fear of getting too embarrassingly sweaty in the underarm area. The first time I tried the Social Citizen sweat proof crewnecks I had doubts, but it actually worked! Over time, I learned to trust them, and now I can confidently say they’ve never let me down. Happy to have found a solution that actually works and allows me to go out without the worry.”
Try Social Citizen today and meet the new, self-assured, and comfortable version of yourself who never has to worry about sweat stains again. With different sizes, colors, and styles, you’ll be sure to find the right Social Citizen shirt for you.
