Balancing Modesty with Health in Subtropics

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mommamaree

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I live in the Deep South, though I grew up in the North. I am struggling, every spring, with making decisions about how to dress properly for both the climate and my convictions. I try to dress modestly, but then I end up with horrible skin problems and infections every summer, because of the humidity. Not being a native Southerner (almost no one in our circle of friends is native Southern either), I cannot figure out what type of clothing to wear. I have tried everything I can think of…Capri slacks, sundresses, etc. nothing works to prevent my sensitive skin from becoming infected, not even multiple changes of clothing each day and multiple cool showers!

Please, people who have experience with living in a subtropical climate, help me. What can I wear, as a Christian woman, that still covers my body modestly, but is healthier for me?
Fabrics to look for (inc. undergarments)?
Types of clothing items, such as shorts vs. skirts, etc?
Sleeve length and type of blouse?

This is a sincere question, btw, not an invitation to a battle about modesty. :o
As a Yankee transplant, I need help. Especially since this problem has gotten worse since I started having children…
Thank you kindly for your ideas and advice! 🙂
 
mommamaree said:
I live in the Deep South, though I grew up in the North. I am struggling, every spring, with making decisions about how to dress properly for both the climate and my convictions. I try to dress modestly, but then I end up with horrible skin problems and infections every summer, because of the humidity. Not being a native Southerner (almost no one in our circle of friends is native Southern either), I cannot figure out what type of clothing to wear. I have tried everything I can think of…Capri slacks, sundresses, etc. nothing works to prevent my sensitive skin from becoming infected, not even multiple changes of clothing each day and multiple cool showers!

Please, people who have experience with living in a subtropical climate, help me. What can I wear, as a Christian woman, that still covers my body modestly, but is healthier for me?
Fabrics to look for (inc. undergarments)?
Types of clothing items, such as shorts vs. skirts, etc?
Sleeve length and type of blouse?

This is a sincere question, btw, not an invitation to a battle about modesty. :o
As a Yankee transplant, I need help. Especially since this problem has gotten worse since I started having children…
Thank you kindly for your ideas and advice! 🙂
Click to expand...
Have you seen a dermatologist? I’m thinking it might be an allergy to the dyes in your laundry detergent or some scent or lotion you are using.
 
It’s not fancy, but have you tried the wicking athletic apparel sold by Nike, Adidas, etc? Obviously not nice enough for Mass or fancy dinners out, but for at home and around town those t-shirts and workout pants are great. They are specifically designed to keep moisture off the body. My sister is prone to fungal infections of the skin and this is all she can wear when there is any chance she might sweat.
 
PatriceA said:
Have you seen a dermatologist? I’m thinking it might be an allergy to the dyes in your laundry detergent or some scent or lotion you are using.
Click to expand...
No, it is a result of the dampness. I have also tried applying various powders (most of them unscented) under clothing. That helps, but the reality is that so many fabrics are unbreathable and so many styles and cuts of clothing are too close-fitting under the arm and at the top of the thigh and at the waist.
I keep wondering what Southern ladies wore in past generations before air conditioning? How were their dresses designed? What kind of undergarments did they wear? And I wonder is it even possible to find such clothing today, without spending a fortune on retro designer frocks?
 
Cotton is going to be the best fabric for you since it breathes. All natural fibers are going to be better. Even wool will wick away all the moisture and keep you dry if that is the issue. Stay away from man made fibers since they do not breath and trap moisture. Stick to light colors and loose tops and bottoms. I can wear jeans in 90 degrees no problem, but I have grown up in the deep south and I am used to it. I have several light open knit sweaters that I used when to make sleeveless tops modest. I also like peasant skirts since they are nice and loose and all the movement makes things feel cooler.
 
Stay away from polyester perhaps, also look into organic closing, buy an organic laundry detergent. Sometime when people has skin sensitivity, the sun mixed with chemical that we wear, will be greatly affected. Look into also your body wash and if you apply lotion with no perfume.

Good luck!
 
Hi!

I’m in school for fashion design and grew up in the south before moving north, so here’s my advice (take from it what you will).

You’re going to want cotton and linen, as much as possible. Yes, Linen wrinkles very easily, but it also breathes very well. keep your layers as minimal as possible. You shouldn’t be wearing more than undies+shirt+bottoms on the hottest days.

If you’re already doing this, and getting rashes under skin folds, I would take the next step, which is to pick up some of the dove clinical strength deodorant (others work, I just prefer dove, but it needs to be an unscented or low scent ladies deodorant) and rub it on the problem areas. I use it and I don’t get any moisture-related rashes. Just put it on when you put it on your underarms every day, and you will have significantly less rash and discomfort.

The issue is you’re sweating a lot, and said areas are not releasing the moisture into the air like they’re supposed to, so it gets trapped, and often leads to infection and irritation since it’s sweat with a high salt content and not just water. Anything that removes moisture is good. When I lived in the south I would use the deodorant trick, and bring a small pack of tissues in my purse and wipe said areas if i felt any moisture building up.
 
mommamaree said:
No, it is a result of the dampness. I have also tried applying various powders (most of them unscented) under clothing. That helps, but the reality is that so many fabrics are unbreathable and so many styles and cuts of clothing are too close-fitting under the arm and at the top of the thigh and at the waist.
I keep wondering what Southern ladies wore in past generations before air conditioning? How were their dresses designed? What kind of undergarments did they wear? And I wonder is it even possible to find such clothing today, without spending a fortune on retro designer frocks?
Click to expand...
So you have seen a dermatologist?
 
mommamaree said:
I live in the Deep South, though I grew up in the North. I am struggling, every spring, with making decisions about how to dress properly for both the climate and my convictions. I try to dress modestly, but then I end up with horrible skin problems and infections every summer, because of the humidity. Not being a native Southerner (almost no one in our circle of friends is native Southern either), I cannot figure out what type of clothing to wear. I have tried everything I can think of…Capri slacks, sundresses, etc. nothing works to prevent my sensitive skin from becoming infected, not even multiple changes of clothing each day and multiple cool showers!

Please, people who have experience with living in a subtropical climate, help me. What can I wear, as a Christian woman, that still covers my body modestly, but is healthier for me?
Fabrics to look for (inc. undergarments)?
Types of clothing items, such as shorts vs. skirts, etc?
Sleeve length and type of blouse?

This is a sincere question, btw, not an invitation to a battle about modesty. :o
As a Yankee transplant, I need help. Especially since this problem has gotten worse since I started having children…
Thank you kindly for your ideas and advice! 🙂
Click to expand...
I visited there once…once! I don’t know how anyone lives there!! Ugh.

I cannot have all the man made wonder fabrics on my skin, so I have found that 2 layers of t-shirt material is actually quite comfortable in the sticky heat. Also (keep in mind I’m a guy here) the bicycle short length compression shorts under regular shorts or pants help a lot. These measures keep pulling the sticky off of you and it is easy to freshen up with a new undergarment during the day.
 
I’m a Florida Girl… so I UNDERSTAND!!! 😃 😛

Cotton clothing is going to be your best friend… and LAYERING for modesty requirements is important too.
For example… I often wear a simple tank top and knee-length skirt… topped with a stylish cardigan or simple spring sweater to cover my shoulders/arms a bit. I also wear “fancy” flip flops (keeps the toes cool) from March through November! 🙂
I’ve found if the bottom layer is tight-fitting (like a camisole undershirt or tank) then I tend to cope with the sweat a lot better.

Personally, when I start having “dampness” issues I often have heat rashes due to yeast… I’ve found that those improve when I take a daily probiotic. I also highly recommend Gold Bond lotion to prevent itching and breakouts… I don’t do powders at all… but a daily antiperspirant is a necessity! At least those are my personal ways of coping!
 
Em_in_FL said:
I’m a Florida Girl… so I UNDERSTAND!!! 😃 😛

Cotton clothing is going to be your best friend… and LAYERING for modesty requirements is important too.
For example… I often wear a simple tank top and knee-length skirt… topped with a stylish cardigan or simple spring sweater to cover my shoulders/arms a bit. I also wear “fancy” flip flops (keeps the toes cool) from March through November! 🙂
I’ve found if the bottom layer is tight-fitting (like a camisole undershirt or tank) then I tend to cope with the sweat a lot better.

Personally, when I start having “dampness” issues I often have heat rashes due to yeast… I’ve found that those improve when I take a daily probiotic. I also highly recommend Gold Bond lotion to prevent itching and breakouts… I don’t do powders at all… but a daily antiperspirant is a necessity! At least those are my personal ways of coping!
Click to expand...
Most helpful response so far! Thanks for chiming in Emily! These ideas will definitely give me several new things to try.
 
Also… another thought just popped into my mind…
If your issue is yeast-related (I know “yeast” sounds gross, but hey, that’s what it is!), then certain powders can make the problem WORSE - especially things with cornstarch (yeasts feed on starches!)…
So quit the powders and use anti-itch lotions.
 
Em_in_FL said:
Also… another thought just popped into my mind…
If your issue is yeast-related (I know “yeast” sounds gross, but hey, that’s what it is!), then certain powders can make the problem WORSE - especially things with cornstarch (yeasts feed on starches!)…
So quit the powders and use anti-itch lotions.
Click to expand...
Good to know!

Part of the problem for me is that I tend to put out tons of heat when I am pregnant, and I am always holding a warm baby when I am not! 😃
Most of the last almost nine years, I have been pregnant or breastfeeding or both. I seem to struggle more with yeast during those times than I do during the off times here and there when I am not pregnant or breastfeeding.
 
My wife used to push two kids around in jean/khaki shorts and a tank top. 🤷 I didn’t think it immodest because the tank top was not cut too low.

Honestly, it’s just insanely hot in south Florida. We lived in Fort Myers and West Palm Beach for three years. It was basically hell for me since I’m a Wisconsin guy who went to school in Chicago.

Now Virginia on the other hand… Virginia is nice. In the 50s today, expecting a dusting of snow this weekend. Summers are still pretty darn hot though. Still, I’ll take four months of death-style heat over ten months of it.
 
mommamaree said:
Good to know!

Part of the problem for me is that I tend to put out tons of heat when I am pregnant, and I am always holding a warm baby when I am not! 😃
Most of the last almost nine years, I have been pregnant or breastfeeding or both. I seem to struggle more with yeast during those times than I do during the off times here and there when I am not pregnant or breastfeeding.
Click to expand...
OH do I ever understand!!!

On a more humorous note on dealing with the heat… I’ve been trying to exercise more and have started running in the evenings a bit. And so… last night’s Facebook status update was,
“Had an awesome run, and now I’m home defrosting the chicken under my armpits.
The family seems slightly disturbed, but I’m seeing nothing but a win-win here.”

We all cope in our own ways. ;)😛
 
Em_in_FL said:
OH do I ever understand!!!

On a more humorous note on dealing with the heat… I’ve been trying to exercise more and have started running in the evenings a bit. And so… last night’s Facebook status update was,
“Had an awesome run, and now I’m home defrosting the chicken under my armpits.
The family seems slightly disturbed, but I’m seeing nothing but a win-win here.”

We all cope in our own ways. ;)😛
Click to expand...
Eeewwww. Armpit chicken!

Better than beer nuts! 😃
 
my husband burns like a peach, poor guy.
He survives summer by wearing linen/cotton shirts, they’re a little hippie- looking, but otherwise pretty nice.
-Petitefoi

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We lived in North Carolina for 10 years. Moved back North in 1990.

My suggestion is air conditioning and fans, all the time. Best thing you can do for heat rash.

I can remember when we lived in North Carolina, that everyone, even the poor people, had air conditioning. Even if people didn’t have indoor toilets, they had air conditioning! And computers (Research Triangle Park made everyone, even the poor, high-tech.)

If this is possible or appropriate for the OP, it is very helpful to lose weight. Fat tends to make heat-related skin problems even worse. It’s easier for thin people to find modest yet comfortable and cool clothing. (I speak from experience, BTW.)
 
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