Review: Bandelettes

I was contacted a few months ago by Bandelettes to see if I’d like to review a pair of their thigh bands. I was really excited for the opportunity–Bandelettes have been on my radar for years! I really took my time putting this post together because I know they’ve gotten a lot of blog coverage and I wanted to make sure I really used them and developed an opinion that was worth sharing.

If you’ve never heard of them, Bandelettes are thigh bands designed to stay put and give you comfort and protection against inner-thigh chafing. I’m always hunting for good ways to thwart the dreaded chub rub and I love their simple, sexy design. They look like the tops of thigh-high stockings (you could even layer them over said stockings to hold them up better!) or the bottoms of lacy shorts, so they can be used to make a fashion statement. I love that Bandelettes take a practical clothing item that might make some people embarrassed to wear and turn them into a daring accessory.

I’ve read a few blog reviews of Bandelettes that recommended sizing down because they tend to stretch while wearing. Their sizes break down based on thigh measurement. I decided to go with the smallest size, but unfortunately that was a little too cautious. They did stretch a bit, but this size was too tight on me and the edges rolled up too much. My poor thigh looked like a chunk of meat tied up in butcher’s twine! Haha.

The customer service at Bandelettes has been nothing but super helpful, kind, and attentive through the whole process. They assured me from the get-go that I could exchange for a better size, so I only felt a little guilty sizing up. The next larger size ended up being just what I needed!

Here’s my only issue with Bandelettes. I think the practicality of these thigh bands really depend on the shape of your legs and where your thighs touch. I decided to try and illustrate this rather than take super awkward photos haha.

Because I have a large butt, the Bandelettes sit lower on my legs than where my thighs actually rub together. My thighs touch right below my crouch, so in order to cover that area with the thigh bands, I have to hitch them up in a weird way that makes them roll easier than if my thighs touched lower down my legs or if I had a smaller butt. Does this make sense?

Even with this weird positioning, I still enjoyed the Bandelettes and was able to make them work. I just think they weren’t being used totally properly. When I tried to wear them lower–the way I think they’re intended–they stayed put really well, but when I pulled them up to cater to my specific body, I had to do some adjusting.

If worn daily, I’m sure there would be substantial pilling on the fabric. The wear and tear on mine has been minimal and I’m very satisfied with the quality, though. I often wear a pair of tight black shorts (think short leggings) under skirts and dresses during the summer to help with chafing and those poor things are BEAT so it’s only natural to expect that kind of wear on thigh bands. Plus, the grip bands around the top and bottom of the Bandelettes that prevent slipping are very comfortable and easy to ignore while wearing.

Bottom line: I wear my Bandelettes during more formal events or with thigh-high stockings. I like the way they look and make me feel, but they’re not the most practical for my personal day-to-day wear. If you’re interested in way to overcome chub rub, I definitely recommend giving these a try! See how they work for your body, but if you’re shaped like me, be warned of the potential issues.

*I was given free product in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own and based on my personal experience.
*Photos courtesy Bandelettes. Illustration by me. :)