As temperatures rise, you may find yourself in a common summer-style quandary—you’ll need to figure out how to hide your sweat, especially if you’re prone to excessive perspiration. Certain colors will help you obscure any moisture, though there are other factors to consider, too.
The most important consideration is fabric type: Stylists say you should stick to breathable or moisture-wicking materials such as cotton and linen.
After all, as Kirsten Angeli, a stylist and branding consultant based in New York City, tells Best Life, “There is not a color in the rainbow that will hide a sweat stain on silk.” She adds that underarm pads and sweat-free undershirts offer added protection against visible sweat stains.
Once you’ve chosen a suitable summer fabric, finding the right hues to hide sweat can help boost both your appearance and your confidence. Read on to learn which five colors are most effective in the fight against unsightly pit stains.
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The 5 Best Colors to Wear If You Sweat a Lot
1. Black
Stylists agree that one color stands heads and tails above the rest when it comes to obscuring sweat stains: Black.
“Its dark hue absorbs light, making any potential stains less noticeable,” says Ingrid Leo, co-founder of Style with Ingrid. “Plus, it pairs well with neutral colors and other hues.”
James Thomson-Sakhrani, the founder of Style Standard, a men’s style and grooming platform, agrees that black is effective at hiding a range of imperfections, including sweat.
“From wrinkles and stains to sweat and spills, black is going to hide a lot more than any other color in your wardrobe,” he explains. “The downside to black is that it definitely gets hotter than lighter colors, so you may end up sweating more.”
2. Charcoal gray
Lighter grays are notorious for highlighting sweat stains, but Thomson-Sakhrani says that darker shades can have the opposite effect.
“Much like black, charcoal is a strong color that helps to blend sweat stains into the background. Go for something dark enough and sweat stains will barely be visible,” he advises.
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3. Navy blue
Leo also recommends navy blue. “Similar to black, its darker shade helps mask any perspiration marks. Navy blue also offers a sophisticated and classic look, suitable for both professional and casual settings.”
Thomson-Sakhrani agrees that navy is a great option “when black or charcoal is too drastic a color to be wearing.” He says it’s softer on the eyes but “dark enough to keep sweat stains from being too obvious to the average person.”
4. White
Though most of the colors shared by experts are dark in hue, white was a commonly recommended exception to the rule.
“It might sound counter-intuitive, but white clothing shows less sweat than a lot of other colors,” says Thomson-Sakhrani. “If it’s pure white without a hint of another shade in it, sweat is much less obvious than on most other light colors. It also has the benefit of helping to keep you just a little cooler than a dark color will.”
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5. Colorful patterns
Finally, choosing a top with a busier pattern can also help you cover up sweat stains.
“A pattern with multiple colors and a busy design distracts the eye and hides sweat stains well,” says Sophia Tang, a veteran of the fashion and beauty industry and founder of Nako Cosmetics. “It’s a stylish solution, allowing you to play with fashion trends while addressing the practical concern.”
Thomson-Sakhrani agrees that patterns offer an effective solution to the problem of excessive sweat. “Something with a repeating pattern can help make sweat stains look much less noticeable and will draw the eye elsewhere. Just avoid patterns that are too light in color or design.”
