People with hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating often have trouble finding the right clothes to wear. Sweat marks show easily on clothes and sometimes your shirt can get completely soaked. So you need a dressing strategy that keeps you comfortable and ensures you are not constantly feeling self conscious. 

Here are our best dressing tips and tricks for people with hyperhidrosis. 

1. Wear a Base Layer Underneath Your Clothes

Dressing in layers does two things. One, it soaks up sweat, which helps you stay drier. Two, it prevents sweat spots and patches from appearing on your outer clothing. 

A t-shirt or tank top makes for an excellent base layer. You can then wear a shirt or top over it. In the colder months, a sweater or jacket on top will further help hide any sweat marks. 

Dressing in layers also helps with temperature control. If you start to get too warm, you can take off the outer layers. If the sweating makes you chilly, put them back on. 

2. Get a Sweat Proof Undershirt 

For people with mild hyperhidrosis, a regular tee or tank top might be enough to soak up the sweat. But if you often sweat enough that both your base layer and outer layers get soaked, you’ll need a different approach. 

We recommend a sweat proof undershirt. These undershirts work by absorbing sweat from your skin and blocking it from reaching your outer clothes. Most sweat proof undershirts, including the popular Thompson Tee brand, also integrate underarm sweat pads into their design to deal with heavy sweating from your pits.  

Make sure you get a breathable undershirt that won’t leave you feeling too hot.  

3. Wear Natural Fabrics

If you sweat excessively, fill most of your wardrobe with clothes made from natural fabrics like wool, cotton, bamboo, silk and linen. They have superior moisture-wicking performance and they are also more breathable compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon. 

So even when you layer clothes, you won’t get too hot. 

That said, do not wear cotton as the base layer. The problem with cotton is that it holds onto moisture. It absorbs sweat but then stays damp, which can be uncomfortable and can even make you dangerously cold in the winter. 

But you can wear a cotton shirt on top. It will help keep you cool in warm weather. 

4. Odor-resistant Clothes Can Help You Stay Fresh 

Another advantage of natural fabrics is that they are naturally odor-resistant, making them the best choice if you want to smell fresh all day. They don’t hold onto sweaty odors as much as synthetic materials. 

If you want to go even further in keeping out odors, get antimicrobial clothes. They actively fight off odor-causing bacteria, keeping you odor-free no matter how much you sweat. Our own self-cleaning HercShirt tee is excellent as a base or outer layer. You can even get it in a tank top or long sleeve version.

5. Choose Your Shoes and Socks Carefully 

If you sweat a lot from the soles of your feet, you have to be careful about which shoes and socks you wear. This ensures sweat doesn't build up in your feet and that you don't get any foot odors. 

As with clothing, shoes made from natural materials like leather, suede and canvas offer the best breathability. You can also find shoes that have advanced breathable technology that helps keep your feet cool and sweat-free. 

As for socks, only wear natural socks. Merino wool is hands down the best sock material for people with excessive sweating. Wool wicks away sweat really well, keeps your feet at the right temperature and reduces foot odors. 

Final Thoughts

As you take all the above steps to stay comfortable, don’t forget about the basics. Apply an antiperspirant and deodorant twice a day — in the morning and before bed. Apply them directly on your skin before putting on clothes. 

If you haven’t found an antiperspirant that works for you, ask your doctor for recommendations. You may need a clinical strength antiperspirant. But don't discount the regular stuff either. Many people with hyperhidrosis have been pleasantly surprised at how well products like Old Spice work. 

Also watch out for any triggers like coffee, spicy foods and alcohol. Cut back or avoid them.