Dress Shields: Secrets of the Stage

Author: Emily Battles


Dress Shields: Secrets of the Stage

Stage fright is not the only concern that can wreak havoc on your performance! Actors, dancers, and singers alike all struggle with a common problem when treading the boards: the dreaded issue of underarm sweat. The heat of the stage lights, the rush of adrenalin in front of an audience, and even the active nature of specific roles can lead to visible sweat stains under the arms. Dress Shields to the rescue!

Dress Shields: Secrets of the Stage | MWS

Not only can this be a mortifying experience for the performer, but it can also damage the costume they’re wearing. There is good news, though! Dress shields and other garment guards are a fantastic way to spare you the embarrassment and protect your wardrobe.

Let’s find out more about this top industry secret.

What is a dress shield?

Dress and clothing shields are protective liners designed to prevent unsightly pit stains, visible moisture under the arms, and odors. They essentially function as armpit sweat pads, discreetly soaking up any perspiration and stopping it from reaching your clothing. They are generally crafted with three distinct layers – one to wick away moisture, one to absorb it, and one to act as a barrier, ensuring it stays locked in.

Underarm garment protectors, such as dress shields, are vital for extending your wardrobe’s life. Many antiperspirants cause a chemical discoloration on clothing, such as white marks and yellow stains, which are a telltale sign of sweat and can also be a pain to remove. In many cases, you might have to shell out for an expensive dry clean, wasting both time and money.

That’s where clothing shields come in. These lightweight, soft, and flexible sweat pads are far from the bulky and ineffective wads of cotton used by previous generations. They’re thinner, more absorbent, and more comfortable, which explains why many celebrities and performers are now jumping on the trend. Today’s sweat shields are specifically designed to protect a variety of fabrics, from thick cotton to delicate silk, making them effective no matter what you’re wearing.

Who can use clothing shields?

Anyone can wear underarm sweat pads, including people who have sensitive skin or suffer from excessive sweating. Stage performers, such as thespians and dancers, often apply them to their costumes because the combination of bright theater lights and active choreography can lead to some very damp underarms. Similarly, actors who have physically rigorous roles use underarm sweat shields to eliminate odor and moisture, keeping their costumes fresh and clean. Even high-fashion models use garment guards to protect the clothing they’re wearing during photo shoots and runway shows.

Different types of dress shields:

Underarm garment protectors can be worn by both men and women and are available in various styles to fit both short-sleeved and long-sleeved clothing. Three of the most common forms of dress shields are disposable, sew-in, and pin-in types of sweat guard.

Dress Shields: Secrets of the Stage

Disposable underarm shields are single-use liners applied via adhesive strips to the inside fabric of a dress or shirt. The nonstick side is made from a soft and absorbent material that soaks up sweat and prevents it from dampening or staining your clothing. Disposable underarm garment protectors stick to virtually anything, from rayon sweaters to satin tops. After use, they can simply be thrown away.

Dress Shields: Secrets of the Stage

Sew-in dress shields are a more permanent option for protecting those precious pieces of clothing you wear all the time. These liners are typically made from layers of cotton with a vinyl barrier inside to provide extra protection against perspiration in the underarm area. One recent innovation in the sweat guard industry to look out for is Fabrapel, which is a patented treatment that makes fabric extremely water-repellent, stain-repellent, and odor-repellent. Sew-in clothing shields are an incredibly convenient choice because you can simply attach them and forget about them – feeling confident that they’ll stay secure.

Dress Shields: Secrets of the Stage

Finally, reusable pin-in garment guards are a great option if you prefer to wash the shields frequently. You attach them to your clothing with pins rather than sewing them in, making them easy to take out and clean. This makes them the best choice if you want one or two sets of clothing shields that you can reuse with lots of different outfits.

 No matter what type of dress shields you choose, you will be able to raise your arms without raising any eyebrows when wearing them. Use this top showbiz secret to make sure you feel as confident as the celebrities – whether you’re taking to the stage or simply heading to the office.