How to Get Rid of a Camel Toe
In a world where leggings are trending on TikTok, bike shorts are being paired with blazers and retro-inspired jeans with mile-high waistlines seem to rule every clothing rack, it's no surprise that there are a few not-so-fashionable side effects associated with the trends. Besides the déjà vu feeling of seeing everyone in similar outfits online and in real life, there seems to be a theme of tightness running through this string of trends in particular.
While I'm very much about the “leggings as pants” movement as a whole, I realize that wearing super tight bottoms all the time isn't all it's cracked up to be. If you've ever taken off a pair of skinny jeans after a long day to find a faint imprint of the seams on your skin, you know what I'm talking about. If not, maybe you've instead been previously victimized by the ever-uncomfortable pairing of thick underwear with tight pants, a mistake I'll never willingly make again. And what's the deal with camel toe?
Camel toe is a term that refers to how a woman's pelvic or vagina area sometimes appears when some legging and pant styles are worn. The outline of the outer labia is emphasized or even clearly outlined in some cases, creating a “front wedgie” shape that resembles – you guessed it – a camel's toe.
Though the general existence and usually untimely appearance of camel toe is not exactly ideal, it presents no reason for serious action. If you notice a visible camel toe shape with some (or many) of your outfits, know that there's nothing actually wrong. There's no reason to cancel plans or call a doctor, but rather a natural shape that becomes more defined when wearing certain types of clothing.
The good news is that you're not alone in dealing with a camel toe! Almost every woman deals with a front wedgie at some point or another, which means many female minds have thought up a few great ways to avoid camel toe and get rid of it when it happens. Spoiler alert: Most cases are prevented by wearing certain types of underwear for women! I'll expand on that later, though. For now, here's a bit more information on the causes of camel toe. Later, I'll get into how to get rid of a camel toe and some of my favorite camel toe-banishing tips as well as how to avoid it altogether.
What Causes Camel Toe?
Before diving into how to get rid of a camel toe, let's discuss the reasons a camel toe can happen.
Your Natural Shape
Many point fingers at leggings, certain materials, tight jeans and low-quality underwear as the main camel toe culprits. Though all of these can definitely exacerbate camel toe, the truth is that it's just about how the female body is shaped. And we all know there are many beautiful and different body shapes of women! I know that might sound disappointing in a way, but instead of trying to change your body or search for some miracle product or garment to save you from ever experiencing camel toe again, your time and energy are much better spent learning a few simple ways to smooth out your crotch area and help you avoid camel toe in general.
Certain Clothing Materials and Styles
I think it's absolutely worth it to monitor your outfits and keep track of which specific garments make a camel toe more visible on your body. The more you know, right? Once you have made note of these pieces, you'll be able to create outfits with this knowledge in mind and lessen your chances of an unwanted camel toe appearance.
To be specific, I've noticed that clingy fabrics cling to other clingy fabrics. It's something you might not think about all the time, but if you are trying to determine the cause of your camel toe, this is a great place to begin. Start by getting to know the fabrics, styles and textures you wear most. Is there a common theme or do you have a wide variation of these? It's important to take note of this because it can show you exactly what's making your camel toe more noticeable.
For example, cotton underwear underneath tight, synthetic workout leggings isn't helping at all. Your leggings move with your body, but the cotton underwear beneath your leggings likely just gets pushed around and bunched up. Due to a lack of space between your tight leggings and your underwear, the cotton fabric becomes tightly molded to the shape of your pelvic area, creating an annoying and likely uncomfortable camel toe.
The Solution: Increasing your chances of avoiding camel toe is as easy as wearing similar fabrics that won't create friction or movement of the garments against each other. When wearing synthetic or sweat-wicking fabrics common in athleticwear, go for a pair of sleek seamless panties. These will help ease any movement between fabrics, avoid an uncomfortable fit and prevent camel toe. Plus, seamless panties are a thin and breathable option for non-athletic outfits as well. They come in many different styles and cuts, making them perfect for the gym, the office or the couch.
Clothes That Don't Fit
For a while, I was guilty of being that woman who refused to acknowledge that her body was growing and changing. I would stand in front of the mirror and wonder why on earth my favorite clothes (some of which I had bought a decade earlier) just didn't look the same on my body as they once did. My jeans didn't look right, my sweaters stretched out in all the wrong places and my leggings and tight pants gave me serious camel toe. It was obvious to everyone but me that some of my clothes had simply become too small!
The Solution: Gradual change and growth are normal occurrences. They're signs of a healthy body that knows how to heal and protect itself. Whether your bodily change comes from pregnancy, weight fluctuation, bloating or something else, one of the best things you can do for yourself is wear clothing that fits you well and makes you feel comfortable. If comfort for you means not having a camel toe, then simply shift to a larger size in your jeans or leggings or try a new style altogether.
How to Get Rid of a Camel Toe: Ways to Avoid
Now that I have gone over some of the most popular causes of camel toe, avoiding it might seem straightforward and easy. That's great! However, I have a few more tips to share about avoiding camel toe that you may not know. Here are some handy ideas that will help keep things looking smooth down there.
Wear Low Rise Panties
I love a good high cut leg as much as the next girl but, unfortunately, these won't help much with a camel toe because it pulls the fabric up instead of out. Go for a thin pair of boyshort underwear or some cute hipster panties that feature a more horizontal cut. This will keep the fabric from bunching up or creating a camel toe.
Go for Dark Colors and Prints
It's no secret that black and other dark colors can help slim your shape and hide certain areas of your body well. This goes for avoiding a visible camel toe too. Even if you think it's absolutely unavoidable, wearing black leggings or pants in another dark color or print will help to conceal the camel toe shape and make it virtually undetectable.
Call on Your Shapewear
Is there anything women's shapewear garments can't do? In addition to offering serious sculpting, shaping and slimming power in areas like the butt, hips, tummy, back and thighs, your shapewear might also be able to help you avoid camel toe. Look for tummy control benefits and high-quality shapewear leggings in particular for the best camel toe-banishing results.
A camel toe is no match for Leonisa's PowerSlim® and DuraFit® fabrics, both of which work to smooth bulges and unevenness from the tummy area all the way down the legs. Yep, that includes the camel toe area, too. A pair of leggings that prevents camel toe while smoothing, shaping and sculpting the tummy, hips, butt and legs? They're not too good to be true. Run, don't walk to have a look at Leonisa's impressive range of shaper and tummy control leggings.
Camel Toes and Confidence
After all these explanations, tips and tricks, I still think it's totally okay to have a camel toe. After all, it's just a combination of clothing and your natural shape, right? Camel toes are so quickly deemed a faux pas or something that needs to be fixed. I'm here to tell you that your camel toe is no reason for embarrassment or hiding! If you want to rock a pair of tight leggings and a camel toe, then I'm your biggest fan. The same goes for the ladies who want to figure out how to get rid of a camel toe or choose to tie a jacket around their waist to cover it. What's important is that you are genuine in your choice and that it makes you feel comfortable and confident.
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