How this sweaty girl turned her struggles with hyperhidrosis into an innovative clothing brand

In this article, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alex, founder of Australian clothing brand Desudo and fellow sweaty girl, to talk all things hyperhidrosis, fashion, and how she turned her frustrations into an innovative clothing line. Here’s what she had to say.

Karina, Founder of Sweaty Girl Society: Let’s start at the beginning! Can you share a little bit about your brand? What is Desudo?

Alex, Founder of Desudo: Desudo creates timeless and comfortable clothing for people who sweat. Our pieces are made to conceal sweat stains to amplify your confidence in any environment. On our website you will find our current collection – the Origin Collection, as well as insightful blog posts about hyperhidrosis and how to cope with it.

Behind the name: desudo is a Latin verb meaning ‘sweat’.

Karina: That’s amazing! What led you to start Desudo?

Alex: I’ve had hyperhidrosis my whole life and have spent years searching endlessly for the perfect clothing that hides sweat and never found any one brand that solves this problem. Having struggled for so long to find clothing that ticks all the boxes for me, I decided to create my own brand, Desudo!

So many clothes are poor quality fast fashion, made of polyester, smell when wet, and generally not suitable for those of us with hyperhidrosis. This is where Desudo is different. Our clothing is made to last, with timeless designs and sustainable fabric choices. The purpose of our clothing is to conceal sweat marks so it’s directly addressing your visible sweat mark fears.

Karina: Can you share more with us about your personal journey with hyperhidrosis?

Alex: My earliest memories of hyperhidrosis have shaped how I am today. Some are a bit traumatic, and others I look back on fondly as I had an amazing support system growing up. During primary school I was wearing thongs and running up a hill when my thongs slipped to the side of my feet because of the sweat. Since then, I avoided thongs because I physically struggled wearing them. Experiences like this were common. Similar thing with monkey bars, if you have sweaty hands, it’s hard to get a proper grip to work your way across. You sort of just fall after the first or second bar.

I’ve experienced highs and lows while figuring out how to manage it best. It’s tough on your mentality too. I went to the dermatologist for the first time In Grade 11 and they suggested I try iontophoresis with glycopyrrolate solution. This worked wonders and at the time and made the world of difference to my high school experience (wearing heels and a blue dress to my formal!).

In the past I’ve also used clinical antiperspirants (Drichlor, No More Sweat) to help with underarm sweat. But these days I don’t use any of that I just wear my sweat proof clothes!

Karina: How does Desudo clothing address the challenges of hyperhidrosis?

Alex: Desudo addresses hyperhidrosis concerns of visible sweat marks, bad smells, and feeling hot, through our selective fabric choice and designs. For the Origin Collection I chose to use a sustainable material called Tencel, which is a cellulose fibre that is more absorbent than cotton. It dries quickly, is antibacterial, and has a luxurious hand feel. I had worn clothing made from Tencel before and knew I had to test it on my designs.

I chose to use plain black for the Origin Collection because I know it’s a staple colour in our wardrobes and easy to pair with any garments we already have. The Origin Blouse is the perfect elevated top to pair with any outfit. Its loosely tailored design gives you a beautiful shape and you cannot see any underarm sweat thanks to the absorbent and quick drying black fabric.

One special feature I’d love to highlight about the Origin Mini Skirt is that it has a lining in the same Tencel fabric that the shell is. This lining helps to absorb sweat to prevent it showing on the shell layer, making the skirt truly sweat proof. I have worn this skirt on some of my sweatiest days, when you can feel it dripping down the backs of your thighs, and there were no visible sweat marks to be seen!

Using a non-synthetic lining for a garment is not common with most brands (particularly fast fashion) due to the cost. This is the difference between Desudo and the alternatives. We pride ourselves on the high calibre of our clothing and the fact that we provide the best sweat concealing clothing for hyperhidrosis.

Karina: How do you balance functionality with style?

Alex: My style has been defined by the functionality of sweat proof clothes that I’ve been able to find in the past. For example, having to buy printed clothes for their sweat concealing functionality, however not loving the style of the garment.

With Desudo, I’m creating timeless designs that I love and haven’t been able to find sweat friendly versions of. Details like the absorbent lining of the Origin Skirt is a necessary functional feature. Combine that with the chic design of the black mini, which is a perfect length (not too short, not too long) and has pockets, makes this a timeless style. You don’t need to compromise on either function or style to create sweat proof garments.

Karina: What has been the most rewarding aspect of creating a brand that caters to the hyperhidrosis community?

Alex: The most rewarding thing for me is being able to help people this community. I know firsthand the embarrassment, anxiety, and struggles of coping with hyperhidrosis. For me, Desudo is my way of coping and I’m passionate about being able to provide a resource that helps others with hyperhidrosis to feel invincible and confident in their daily lives.

Karina: What fashion advice would you offer to women with hyperhidrosis?

Alex: The best advice I can give is information on what to look for in sweat proof clothing. I don’t have a huge range of clothes available (yet) to be your one and only source for finding sweat friendly clothes. What I do have right now are two wardrobe staples, and valuable information on how to find more.

You can read about it on my blog post here.

A bonus tip: Stand up tall and fix that posture. I think I’ve developed slightly curved shoulders because I’ve spent so much time subconsciously trying to hide my armpits by curving forward. This is your reminder to be confident in yourself and not to waste your energy worrying about visible sweat marks – because everyone sweats.

Karina: What is your vision for the future of Desudo?

Alex: I’m planning a menswear line and some more versatile pieces for women, with beautiful patterns and colours. In the not-so-distant future Desudo will have a range of clothing from basics to formal wear – sweat concealing clothing for every occasion.

Karina: Where can people learn more about Desudo?

Alex: You can shop the Origin Collection and learn more about Desudo on our website. You can also connect with Desudo on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Want to be notified of product launches? Subscribe on our website! And if you have any questions about Desudo or my journey, please reach out.