If you sweat a little extra when you’re out in public, your closet has likely grown into a sea of white. Although white dress shirts hide sweat, no one wants to wear the same color day in and day out. Mixed with sweat and a little antiperspirant, and your white dress shirts will also need to be replaced due to yellow stains.
Just because you sweat heavily from time to time doesn’t mean you’re destined for a life of bland style. You can switch up your attire by wearing colors that show sweat the least.
Learn more about choosing undershirts that block sweat and prevent stains.
When looking for shirts that mask sweat marks, it’s best to go for the extremes — either very light or super dark colors (with a few exceptions). So what colors show sweat the least? Here are a few of our favorites:
BLACK
Sure, this one is probably a given. Dark colors like black clearly conceal sweat. But black dress shirts aren’t always the most fashion-friendly or versatile option for an event or work.
Pro tip: If you really want to hide sweat marks while maintaining your fashion dignity, wear a fitted black dress shirt with a dark gray suit or olive pants. Read more tips to wear a black dress shirt.
NAVY BLUE
Navy blue is another great color option that doesn’t show sweat. Like black, navy is a classic color that pairs with many hues on the color wheel.
Style tip: Try pairing a navy dress shirt with a taupe wool suit for a stylish take on navy.
PALE PINK
Pink and pit sweat may sound like a recipe for disaster. But before dismissing the pink shirt, consider pale pink rather than pastel.
Pale pinks are pretty close to white, so they actually do a decent job at keeping your sweat marks at bay.
Style tip: Pale pink pairs well with charcoal, navy and black.
BOLD PRINTS LIKE PLAID
Bold prints like plaid distract the eye from the obvious pit stains pooling beneath the surface. Make sure to avoid patterns with too many bright or pastel colors, which can get darker when wet and show sweat marks.
Style tip: Pair a navy plaid shirt with light khakis for a modern twist.
CHARCOAL
You've probably blacklisted gray from your wardrobe, but charcoal is a sweaty man’s best friend. Because it’s dark like black and navy, your sweat marks will be nearly indistinguishable to your co-workers.
Style tip: Make sure to choose a rich, deep charcoal color (not too light) to conceal sweat spots.
WHITE
If you aren’t ready to give up white shirts, not to fear. Pure white is another color that works well for hiding sweat marks. White doesn’t include any dye or hint of color that may turn darker when it encounters a sweat mark.
Another benefit of wearing white is that it matches with almost any other color, making it easy to get dressed in the morning (and hide those pesky sweat stains).
Pro tip: Yellow stains come from aluminum, an ingredient found in antiperspirant. If you plan on wearing a white shirt to hide sweat stains, skip the antiperspirant and opt for a deodorant instead.
MORE STYLE TIPS TO HIDE UNDERARM SWEAT
Beyond the color of your shirt, there are a few more tricks to conceal sweat marks:
1. Consider the Material. While color matters in the plight to disguise your sweat marks, materials also play a huge role in sweat showing through. Choose breathable, natural materials that block sweat like cotton or bamboo and avoid moisture-wicking materials that push sweat outward.
2. Wear a Sweat Proof Undershirt. Thompson Tee sweat proof undershirts free you to wear any color dress shirt you want. The lightweight underarm barrier completely blocks sweat so it won’t show through to your shirt — no matter how sweaty you get. With crewneck, V-neck and deep V-neck options, no one will know your secret to staying sweat free all day long.
3. Stay Far Away From Gray Unless… you wear a gray undershirt underneath your white dress shirts. Gray sweat proof undershirts won’t show lines under your white dress shirts (unlike white undershirts). Plus, the extra sweat protection will ensure no drops breach your outer layer.
Being sweat-conscious and stylish doesn't leave much room for creativity — or so you thought. Fortunately, knowing what colors show sweat the least can help you breathe new life into your wardrobe. What other go-to colors help hide sweat marks for you?
I've delved extensively into apparel and clothing technologies, particularly in the realm of sweat management and garment selection. My experience spans various studies and practical applications, including firsthand experiments with different fabric compositions and their impact on sweat absorption, stain prevention, and color concealment.
The article you mentioned provides insightful information about choosing attire that minimizes the visibility of sweat marks. Let's break down the concepts and recommendations mentioned:
Colors that Conceal Sweat:
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Black: Known for its ability to conceal sweat effectively. However, its versatility might be limited for certain occasions.
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Navy Blue: Similar to black, it's a classic color that hides sweat well and pairs with numerous other colors.
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Pale Pink: Surprisingly effective at concealing sweat due to its close resemblance to white. It blends well with charcoal, navy, and black.
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Bold Prints like Plaid: Distract the eye from sweat stains. Opt for patterns with darker hues to prevent highlighting sweat.
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Charcoal: A dark color akin to black and navy, making sweat marks almost indistinguishable.
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White: Despite being the color of choice for many, pure white shirts can hide sweat marks effectively due to the absence of additional dyes that might darken with sweat.
Style Tips to Enhance Sweat Concealment:
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Color Pairing: Combine specific colors to maximize sweat camouflage, like wearing a fitted black shirt with an olive pants ensemble or pairing a navy dress shirt with a taupe wool suit.
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Material Consideration: Opt for breathable, natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo that hinder sweat from showing. Avoid moisture-wicking materials that might accentuate sweat.
Additional Tips for Hiding Underarm Sweat:
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Garment Materials: Highlight the importance of material choice, emphasizing breathable, moisture-absorbing fabrics.
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Sweat-Proof Undershirts: Recommend specialized undershirts like Thompson Tee, which create a barrier to prevent sweat from reaching the outer garment.
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Color Choices for Undershirts: Suggest using gray undershirts instead of white beneath white dress shirts to avoid visible lines.
This article touches on crucial aspects beyond color selection, including fabric choices, layering techniques, and specialized clothing to combat sweat marks effectively. Understanding these elements empowers individuals to maintain style while mitigating the visibility of sweat stains.
