This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.
After your spray tan, you’ll want to slip into loose, dark clothing that won’t cling to your skin.
Think baggy sweats, oversized shirts, or flowy dresses in black or dark colors. These won’t show bronzer transfer and give your tan room to breathe while it sets over the next 8-12 hours.
Skip tight jeans, white tops, or anything with elastic bands that might create pressure lines. Flip-flops work better than closed shoes, and avoid bras if possible.
Your freshly bronzed skin is like wet paint – it needs space to dry properly. The right outfit choices can mean the difference between a flawless glow and patchy disasters.
Table Of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What to Wear During & After a Spray Tan?
- Preparing for a Spray Tan
- What to Wear During The Spray Tan Session
- After The Spray Tan Session
- Post-Tan Activities and Outfit Choices
- Maintaining Your Tan
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What to wear after spray tan?
- What should I wear to a tan?
- What should you wear if you spray tan your feet?
- Should you wear tight clothes after a spray tan?
- How do you wear a spray tan?
- What should I wear to a spray tan appointment?
- What should you wear right after a spray tan?
- Will clothes ruin a spray tan?
- Should you wear a bra after a spray tan?
- Is it better to wear shorts or sweats after a spray tan?
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Wear loose, dark clothing after your spray tan – Choose baggy cotton items like oversized shirts, sweatpants, or flowy dresses in black or dark colors to prevent bronzer transfer and give your tan space to develop properly over 8-12 hours.
- Skip tight-fitting garments and restrictive items – Avoid skinny jeans, bras with underwires, elastic waistbands, and closed shoes that’ll create pressure lines, rub off your fresh tan, or cause streaking and uneven patches.
- Choose breathable fabrics and minimal coverage during application – Go nude or wear minimal dark undergarments during your session, then switch to cotton or loose jersey materials that allow air circulation and minimize friction against your newly bronzed skin.
- Protect your investment with smart post-tan choices – Stick to flip-flops over closed shoes, remove all jewelry, and maintain your loose, dark clothing strategy until after your first shower to ensure your spray tan develops evenly without premature fading.
What to Wear During & After a Spray Tan?
Getting a spray tan is like preparing for a special performance – your clothing choices can make or break the show. The key to flawless results lies in understanding how fabric color impact and seasonal wardrobe choices affect your tan’s development and longevity.
Your spray tan wardrobe strategy determines whether you’ll glow like a goddess or look like a streaky mess.
During your session, you’ll want to minimize clothing to prevent tan line prevention issues. Most clients go nude or wear minimal dark undergarments.
Your post spray tan outfit becomes essential for the next 8-10 hours while the solution sets. Loose clothing tan philosophy works best – think flowy dresses, baggy t-shirts, and comfortable sweatpants in dark colors.
These after tan attire choices prevent rubbing and staining. Weather considerations matter too; summer calls for breathable fabrics, while winter requires strategic layering.
Dark clothing tan combinations hide any bronzer transfer, while proper fabric stain removal techniques save your favorite pieces. Your spray tan clothes investment protects both your tan and wardrobe.
Preparing for a Spray Tan
Your spray tan success starts well before you step into the salon. Think of preparation as laying the foundation for a flawless glow that’ll have everyone asking about your vacation.
Here’s your pre-tan checklist to guarantee perfect results:
- Complete skin exfoliation 24 hours before your appointment using an exfoliating mitt to remove dead skin cells
- Time your shower carefully – cleanse several hours prior and finish with cold water to close your pores
- Schedule other services first – book waxing, massages, or hair removal at least 24 hours beforehand to avoid skin irritation
- Plan around important events – book your appointment 2-3 days before special occasions for ideal color development
On appointment day, skip all skincare products, makeup, and deodorant. Your skin needs to be completely bare for the tanning solution to absorb evenly. Choose easy-to-remove spray tan clothes and slip-on shoes for convenience. It’s also important to reflect on shaving before tanning for ideal results.
What to Wear During The Spray Tan Session
You’ll want to wear as little as possible during your spray tan session to achieve the most even coverage without tan lines.
Most people choose to go nude or wear minimal undergarments like a thong, though you can discuss comfort options with your technician beforehand to ensure a smooth application process.
Options for Women
Once you’ve prepped your skin, choosing the right spray tan outfit becomes your next priority.
Women have several smart options that balance comfort with practicality.
Clothing Item | Best Choice |
---|---|
Dress styles | Loose maxi dress or flowy shift dress |
Underwear choices | Dark thong or disposable undergarments |
Jewelry considerations | Remove all jewelry completely |
Shoe selection | Flip-flops or loose sandals |
Bag preferences | Small crossbody or leave at home |
Dark clothing prevents visible stains while loose fits avoid rubbing off your fresh tan.
Options for Men
Men have fewer clothing style dilemmas during spray tan sessions, but fabric choices still matter.
You’ll want to prioritize comfort and practicality over fashion statements. Here’s what works best:
- Loose boxers or briefs in dark colors to prevent staining
- Basketball shorts for easy removal and minimal skin contact
- Dark cotton t-shirt that won’t cling to your torso
- Flip-flops to avoid foot streaking and solution transfer
- Minimal accessories – leave watches and chains at home
To maintain freshness afterward, consider using aluminum-free body sprays.
After The Spray Tan Session
Once you leave the spray tan salon, your clothing choices become essential for protecting your fresh tan during the first few hours of development.
You’ll want to select loose, dark-colored garments that won’t rub against your skin or show stains from any excess tanning solution that might transfer onto fabric, which is crucial for maintaining your tan.
Clothing to Minimize Rub-Off
Your spray tan’s success depends on smart clothing choices.
Smart clothing choices make the difference between a flawless glow and a streaky disaster.
Loose clothing in dark colors prevents tan transfer while avoiding friction against your fresh glow.
Skip tight jeans or clingy fabrics that create rubbing.
Instead, choose flowy garments that drape naturally over your skin.
To further minimize transfer, consider bedding protection strategies during sleep.
This simple strategy protects your investment and guarantees your spray tan develops evenly without streaking or premature fading.
Recommended Fabrics
Choose breathable fabrics that work with your fresh tan, not against it. Cotton benefits include superior air circulation and minimal friction against newly bronzed skin.
Loose jersey materials prevent unwanted rubbing while dark colors hide any transfer. A key consideration is to wear loose, dark clothing post-tan to maintain an even finish.
- Cotton: Breathable materials that wick moisture and prevent tan disruption
- Loose-fitting jersey: Soft texture minimizes skin contact and potential streaking
- Dark fabrics: Stain resistance protects both your tan and clothing from bronzer transfer
Post-Tan Activities and Outfit Choices
Your post tan outfit choices matter during tan development time. Whether you’re hitting the town or heading home, loose clothing prevents fabric friction effects that cause streaks.
A flowy maxi dress or billowy top works perfectly for clothes after tanning. Avoiding sweat is key—skip restrictive fits that trap heat. Dark colors hide potential rub-off better than light shades.
If you’re shopping or running errands, relaxed cuts guarantee your spray tan fashion stays flawless. To keep your skin radiant, remember to drink ample water.
These smart clothing choices protect your investment while maintaining comfort.
Maintaining Your Tan
You’ve invested time and money in your spray tan, so protecting it requires smart clothing choices and proper skincare habits.
The right fabrics and daily routines will keep your tan looking fresh and even for weeks instead of days.
Clothing to Avoid
Certain clothing choices can sabotage your fresh spray tan.
Tight garments like skinny jeans create friction against your skin, causing streaky patches.
Light colors reveal tan transfer immediately, while fitted clothing with prominent seams and straps leaves unwanted marks.
Skip skintight clothing and anything with rough textures.
Sweaty clothes from workouts accelerate fading, and jewelry creates tan lines you’ll regret later.
Skincare and Sun Protection
Your spray tan aftercare doesn’t stop at loose clothing choices.
Daily moisturizing with gradual tanner keeps your glow alive longer.
Always apply tan-safe sunscreen before sun exposure—it protects your investment and prevents uneven fading.
Understanding hydration importance and exfoliation effects helps you time your next session perfectly.
Proper tanning aftercare clothes plus skincare equals lasting results.
Many people seek sunscreen for tan safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to wear after spray tan?
Wear loose, dark clothing like baggy cotton t-shirts and sweatpants. Avoid tight jeans, bras, or restrictive garments for 8-10 hours. Choose flip-flops over closed shoes to prevent streaking and rubbing.
What should I wear to a tan?
Your perfect spray tan outfit is absolutely essential for amazing results!
Choose loose, dark clothing like baggy shorts and a tank top.
Skip tight jeans completely—they’ll ruin everything by rubbing off your fresh tan.
What should you wear if you spray tan your feet?
Open-toed sandals or flip-flops are your best bet for freshly spray-tanned feet.
Skip socks and closed shoes that’ll rub against your skin, causing streaks and uneven patches you’ll definitely regret later.
Should you wear tight clothes after a spray tan?
Like a freshly painted masterpiece, your spray tan needs space to breathe.
You shouldn’t wear tight clothes after spray tanning—they’ll rub off your golden glow and create uneven patches.
Choose loose, dark clothing instead.
How do you wear a spray tan?
Getting a spray tan means choosing loose, dark clothing beforehand.
You’ll strip down for application, then slip into baggy cotton pieces afterward.
Avoid tight fits that’ll rub and create streaks—comfort’s your best friend here, as it helps prevent streaks and ensures a smooth finish, making application easier.
What should I wear to a spray tan appointment?
Wear dark, loose-fitting clothes you don’t mind potentially staining.
Skip tight jeans, bras, and jewelry.
Bring flip-flops and consider going braless.
Dark cotton items work best since they’ll hide any bronzer transfer.
What should you wear right after a spray tan?
Your skin’s practically screaming for freedom after that spray tan session!
Slip into loose, dark cotton clothing like baggy sweats or flowy dresses.
Skip tight bras and underwear—you’ll thank yourself later when your tan develops perfectly.
Will clothes ruin a spray tan?
Tight or light-colored clothes can definitely rub off your fresh tan and create streaks.
You’ll want to stick with loose, dark clothing for the first 8-10 hours to protect your investment.
Should you wear a bra after a spray tan?
Skip the bra for at least 6-10 hours after your spray tan.
The underwire and straps can create uneven lines and rub off your fresh color.
Once you’ve showered, you’re free to wear whatever you’d like.
Is it better to wear shorts or sweats after a spray tan?
Loose shorts win over sweats every time.
They’ll keep you cooler, prevent overheating that causes sweating, and create less friction against your fresh tan.
Choose dark, baggy jersey shorts for the best results.
Conclusion
Mastering what to wear during after a spray tan isn’t rocket science, yet countless people still emerge looking like walking traffic cones.
You’ve learned the essentials: loose, dark clothing during application, breathable fabrics afterward, and patience while your tan develops.
Skip the tight whites and embrace flowy darks for the first twelve hours.
Your spray tan investment deserves proper protection. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll achieve that coveted golden glow without the telltale streaks and patches.