Apologies if this is TMI but I'm hoping someone here will have the answer to my question...

Now summer is coming and the weather is getting warmer I really want to wear skirts more but find that if I wear a skirt and do any walking (even just a couple of minutes) the tops of my legs rub together and get really sore - so much so that I couldn't possibly spend a whole day in a skirt. At the moment I wear tights (nylons?? I think they might be called in America) until it is too hot to bear them any longer and then swop to wearing cycling shorts under my skirt. I have heard that there is some kind of cream that runners use to stop chaffing. Has anyone ever tried it? Does it work and if so what is it called and where can I get it from? Does anyone have any other techniques that work?

Thanks!

I wear Spanx which are lighter than bike shorts but are the same length.

I used to use talcum powder which was cheap and brilliantly effective.

I don't know if it's available in Brussels, but in the United States there is a spray called "Dermoplast" which is really helpful for the chafing.

Also, I sometimes wear what is called a "split slip". It's like a regular slip that you would wear under a skirt, but instead of a skirt, it's like shorts (with very wide legs) made of the material used for slips. They're very light and cool, and more comfortable for me than bike shorts. In the United States I've found them at Walmart and Kmart. That helped so much in the summer. I have them in two different lengths.

I know how you feel!

Take care,
Sherry

I know it sounds weird, but something that works for this problem is to rub underarm deoderant on your thighs where they rub. Works great, and doesn't come off with sweating. Also you can reapply easily if necessary.

The product you're talking about is called BodyGlide - it's a silicone-based substance runners and other athletes use to minimize chafing. It works quite well with a relatively thin layer, but I've found it wears off/breaks down after about 3 hours, so you'd have to reapply. You can find it in most sporting goods stores - it looks like a stick deoderant, and you just glide it on wherever you want it.

You've had a lot of good suggestions here - personally, I use the spandex short option. Target carries a line called C9 with cheap wicking spandex shorts, which help keep me cool. (Find ones with any wicking material - check sporting goods departments/stores instead of the underwear bodyshaper ones, which don't breathe!) Even without the chafing issue, I'd probably wear shorts under my skirts, though - I commute and get around by bike, and do a lot of active work - I'd rather not obsess over what I can't do in a skirt!

Never had that problem blessed with skinny legs, yea couldnt be a skinny tummy, I have a friend who uses cornstarch......

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'm going to go at the weekend and get the necessary things to test drive them all. It'll be so great to not have to wear thick shorts or tights on hot days!

I didn't have any luck with Bodyglide. But I know a ton of other people who adore it.

I have a very thin pair of bike shorts that I wear.

vaseline works
desitin (baby cream for diaper rash) soothes the chafe afterwards too...

I do the bike short thing or vaseline. Slather it on - no smell - but works like a charm & is cheap!

OOOUCHHHH!

I know the feeling, and will be trying some of these suggestions.

When I wear tights/nylons/pantyhose...it's the VERY worst! It's like tiny areas of that very soft skin are exposed between the weave and are then sliced off by the friction...it is agonizingly painful!
I try never to wear them because it is just truly awful.

I feel your pain sistah!!!!


Linda

Ugh, the dreaded chub rub! *Pycho killer noise*

I've also found that baby power and the Body Glide stuff works. Nothing is 100%, but they allow me to wear skirts without all the pain.

I would wear bike shorts. Even under jeans if I was going to do lots and lots (5-15 miles) of walking around. Because my skin is sooo sensitive I would get welts between my legs and open cuts. Ouch!!!

I wear shorts underneath.

If I don't for some reason (like I think there won't be much walking and then end up walking), I have to second the diaper rash cream recommendation offered earlier! It works great for any sort of heat induced rash.