Granted, summer is almost over for my Northern Sisters, but we Southern women still have at least a few hot months left. Here in Florida, I can remember the temperature being in the 80's on Christmas over the past few years, with no sign of a cool (not cold. cool.) front until at least January. So, what do hot temperatures mean to a femme? Thigh chafing. Surely we can all remember that fabulous dress we had to leave in the closet on a beautiful summer day just because the heat and humidity would cause a very unsexy rash between our legs. Or, can you remember the time you misjudged the weather and wound up stuck with that self same rash later on? Yeah.

I'll give you a couple of specific examples in case you're not convinced that this is a major problem in the day-to-day life of your average femme.

When/where: Unseasonably warm weekend in October, NYC
Chafing blunder: old tights
How it went down: I cut off 2 lengths of some old tights and wore one on each thigh. They were tight enough, I figured they would stay on, but no. I was constantly pulling them up. In the 30 minute trek from one side of the borough to the other, I ended up with a rash so bad that I could barely go nude without hurting. The tights created warmth, which created sweat, and then they rolled up and did no good at all.

When/where: Cancun, Mexico - April
Chafing blunder: skirt with no protection at all
How it went down: It was my first outing on a six-week long trip through the Yucatan and I wore a long flowy skirt. You know that waddle that happens after your thighs are so terribly chafed that you'd rather look like a fool than feel the searing pain? That was me. Waddling back to our host home with a very keen understanding of why "bike or running shorts" were on the packing list for women.

Without further delay, a list of things that may or may not help you combat inner thigh chafing while wearing you spring, summer, autumn, or winter skirt.

Clothing
In my search for thigh-chafing prevention aids I came across a few different clothing items that prevent chafing. Really and truly, you can make do with any type of fitted tights or shorts, like Champion® Bike Shorts or Champion® Running Knee Tights. Regular cotton blend leggingsalso seem to work fine under a longer dress, or under shorter dresses when the style calls for it. For a sexier solution to the chafing problem, I found these lacy, satiny underthings called Luvees. They come in two different version - a panty version and a thigh cover. I think these thigh covers could actually be kinda sexy. One classic favorite anti-chafing tactic of mine has been to wear thigh-high hosiery - I find that I can wear the lacy hem right where chafing hurts the most.

Gels and Creams
If you're going for a basic lubricant to avoid simple friction between your thighs, look no further than petroleum jelly or a thick lotion. If you're going on a short outing, this will surely suffice. I've heard from a host of online commenters, as well as several of my own readers that simple deodorant is the best inexpesive, effective solution. Apply it to your inner thighs where chafing occurs, just like you would apply it to your underarms. Monistat has created a Chafing Relief Powder Gel, which they say, "The formula is unique: an easy-to-apply gel, it dries to form a silky, breathable barrier that calms skin while preventing the irritation caused by moisture, heat, and movement." Athletes seem to swear by products like BodyGlide and SportShield. Sounds to me like an overpriced alternative to the deodorant idea, but it's worth a shot.

Powders
I hesitate to include powders here, because I've often found that they are either absorbed by perspiration, or they rub off so easily that I need to reapply every 30 minutes. But I also know that there are many women for whom this is their primary defense tactic. Cornstarch powder is the very first thing I suggest when it comes to powders. It's silky smooth, available for cheap at the grocery store, and does not contain talc(which has been linked to ovarian cancer). Monistat also has their own overpriced cornstarch powder, called Soothing Care Medicated Powder, a "medicated, talc-free formula contains micro-fine cornstarch and zinc oxide. Soothes painful irritations that can cause itching, without clumping." Belle, a Southern sister who's migrated up North suggests Lush.com's Candy Fluff. This luscious treat does have talc and glitter in it, so please wear good sturdy panties when you use it, but who can resist a fragrance that promises to send you off to cloud nine?

Other
The weirdest thing that I encountered was from Green Eyed Girl who said, "A friend of mine sprayed Tinactin(as in tough actin' tinactin!) on her inner thighs on her wedding day b/c she wanted to be all sexy when she took off her dress that night. She swears by it now."

I also saw that hydration was referenced as an important chafing prevention tool. It seems like something thing we should all be doing - drinking plenty (as in, as much as you can possibly drink) of water. It keeps your skin in tip top shape and the rest of your body too. Read up on the benefits of Drinking Water.

So! Try these out and find one that works for you. We femmes shouldn't have to limit ourselves to wearing pants and shorts in the summer time - go ahead and wear your best skirts and dresses, and do it painlessly. A pain-free, rash-free femme is a happy one, to me.

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