Before I had kids, I didn’t think much about chafing. Then came pregnancy, postpartum body changes, and, frankly, a whole new relationship with my thighs. Add in a humid summer, and let’s just say — the struggle has been real.
So when I heard Noosh, the brand I already trusted for their ridiculously comfy tights, came out with new anti-chafing shorts, I figured it was worth a shot. I wore them nearly every day for the last month — to preschool drop-offs, grocery runs, and a backyard barbecue where I absolutely did not get to sit down once. If anything was going to put them to the test, it was my life.
Right out of the package, the shorts felt different. They were silky but substantial, stretchy but not the kind of thin that makes you worry about ripping them the first time you wiggle them on. I ordered my usual size and was relieved when they fit like a second skin — snug in a way that felt secure but not squeezed. They aren’t shapewear, which honestly was a big part of the appeal for me. I didn’t want anything stiff or suffocating; I just wanted to be comfortable moving through a normal (read: chaotic) day.
The real test came about a week ago, when Houston finally served up one of those classic hot, humid spring days and we decided to take the kids to the zoo. Six hours of walking, pushing strollers, standing in line for overpriced lemonade, and corralling sticky toddlers around excited peacocks — usually, that’s the kind of day that leaves me waddling back to the car, thighs on fire. But this time, I didn’t even think about it. The Noosh shorts stayed put under my sundress, didn’t ride up or roll down, and felt so breathable that even standing in the blazing sun didn’t make me regret my life choices. By the end of the day, my legs felt completely normal — no stinging, no redness, no desperate need for an ice pack. I’m not saying I wept from gratitude when we got home, but I’m not not saying it, either. 
Over the past month, the shorts have become part of my regular rotation. They’re soft enough to wear lounging around the house but polished enough to layer under skirts and dresses without feeling like I’m wearing gym shorts in disguise. I even wore them under a slinky maxi dress for a family birthday party and didn’t have to do the awkward tug-and-smooth maneuver once. They survived multiple washes — and yes, a few accidental dryer sessions — without losing their stretch or softness.
If you’ve ever mapped out your summer outfits based on the dreaded “thigh rub” forecast, these shorts might just be your new best friend. They’re not shapewear, and that’s exactly why I love them. They’re simply a soft, breathable layer that lets me live my life without thinking about my thighs.