Avoid Embarassing Armpit Stains Sweating at the gym is a wonderful feeling. Sweating at the office, not so much.
Perspiration is seen as nervousness (whether you're really nervous or not) and that's not a look you want at work.
In practical terms, remember that staying cool helps you think better. The U.S. Army performed scientific tests and found that uncomfortable clothing hinders short-term memory and slows reaction times.
There are many things you can do to keep sweat from showing. One is to walk around all day with your elbows tight to your side, never lifting your arms. This is not practical.
Instead, take this advice from Brian Boyé, Men's Health Fashion Director and a naturally cool guy:
Wear looser clothing. The tighter your shirt, the more contact it'll have with your underarms, and the more they'll see you sweat.
Go with cotton. It breathes. True, cotton is exactly the wrong thing to wear in the gym when you sweat hard—it soaks up the sweat instead of wicking it away. But in the moderately moist conditions of the office, cotton is your choice for staying cool. Polyester or poly/cotton blends tend to trap heat, causing you to sweat more.
Wear a cotton undershirt. This may seem counterintuitive—won't another layer make you warmer? Slightly, but in moderate conditions a T-shirt will absorb the perspiration and prevent it from reaching the fabric of your dress shirt. Go with a V-neck if you don't want it to show.
Very dark colors and small patterns such as checks or gingham can disguise sweat stains.
Think exotic. Other natural fabrics such as hemp, soy, and bamboo (that's right) handle moisture nicely. Bamboo and hemp also inhibit bacterial growth, which is a polite term for stink.
Look for the latest in fabric technology. Perry Ellis, Victorinox, and Hart Schaffner Marx are using lightweight, high-tech fabrics that look and feel cool—for both shirts and suits.
And if your office is casual, remember that many sports shirts are now made with technical, moisture wicking fabrics, including products from L.L. Bean, Greg Norman, and Ex Officio.
