It's impossible to miss the Kardashians' epic rise to fame. With a variety of businesses like Kylie's lip kits, Kendall's tequila and Khloe's jeans, the Kardashian family has created a retail empire... but no business is as successful as Kim Kardashian's Skims brand (which is valued higher than any other Kardashian business venture today at $4 billion).
Available in an inclusive size range from XXS-4X, Skims offers a variety of intimates like bras, underwear, loungewear and the brand's viral shapewear. The brand's smart solutions are designed to work with your body to enhance your natural shape. That all sounds amazing... but we wanted to know how the shapewear would look on real women without any retouching or studio lighting.
To find out which Skims buys are actually worth it, we took them to our Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where we test all types of intimates, including bras, underwear and shapewear. We stretched each garment to a set amount for two hours and then rate how well it recovered to its original shape, and washed each piece in our Lab multiple times to ensure it won't shrink or wear excessively after laundering.
We also had consumer testers with a variety of body shapes wear the pieces during their everyday lives and then give extensive feedback to ensure the shapewear, bras and clothing are comfortable to wear while being effective. Here's what we found.
Skims Seamless Sculpt Thong Bodysuit
In the Lab, I tested the Seamless Sculpt Thong Bodysuit and was immediately taken aback by how small it looked. Although it looks tiny out of the packaging, it does stretch and conform to your body size.
I found the material tough to stretch out and put on at first, but it did return to its original shape in our tests. When I wore the bodysuit, I had a noticeably smoother waistline and flatter tummy. There is minimal compression at the bust, so it didn't make me look flat like other shapewear bodysuits I've tried. It was quite tight, so if you aren't used to shapewear, it may be too snug for all-day wear.
In our full review of Skims shapewear, this bodysuit came out on top. It is a best seller for the brand and went viral on social media for good reason. Our testers reported that it ran true to size. This bodysuit has become popular among our testers for wearing it on its own as a top, but note that the lighter colors are a bit see-through if you plan to go bra-less. Some testers recommended going up a size if you have a larger chest size.
Pros
- Created an hourglass shape
- Tummy compression
- Stayed in place
Cons
- Testers found it too tight for all day wear
Skims Fits Everybody Push-Up Bra
I wear a 34D in bras, but my breasts are naturally further apart, so it can be challenging to create cleavage. I don't want to feel like I might slip out of my bra at any moment while I also want some lift. This push-up bra is the perfect compromise. It offers substantial lift without any near nip slips. The material is super soft against my skin and the bra fits true to size. This bra does create noticeable cleavage and a bustier look, so may not be suitable office wear. It's available in band sizes 30-38 and cup sizes A-H, so it's not as size-inclusive as other Skims products.
In our Lab tests, this bra (and the Fits Everybody T-Shrit Bra) performed decently in our stretch recovery evaluations, returning close to its original size after being stretched out. While the bra cups plunge in the front, they extend higher up and farther back on the sides for excellent support and lift. Some testers did note that the high cut of the bra caused it to dig into their underarms (but I didn't have this issue). Skims recently sold out of their viral push-up nipple bra — we cannot wait to put it to the test after its next restock!
Pros
- Soft material
- Creates natural looking cleavage
- Runs true to size
Cons
- Some testers said this bra dug in under their underarms
Skims Long Slip Dress
This best-selling dress is made with a super soft material that drapes beautifully around your curves to create an hourglass figure. It's made with a modal/spandex blend, which has a silky smooth feel with a bit of stretch to perfectly hug your curves for a sexy look and comfortable feel. Because it's made with a thinner material and spaghetti straps, we recommend wearing a seamless thong and either going braless or wearing a strapless bra to keep your undergarments hidden.
One GH tester owns the long sleeve version of this dress and said, "This is hands down the best dress I’ve ever owned." Loving its "very soft and comfortable material," she says it's easy to "dress it up or dress it down. I’ve worn it to a gala, but also on a date!"
Pros
- Soft and smooth material
- Hugs your curves for a flattering fit
- Easy to dress up and down
Cons
- Thinner material
Skims Fits Everybody Thong
Comfy, reliable underwear is a must. Skims thongs are a favorite among GH editors for a barely-there feel that's breathable and lightweight. Available in ten nude shades, it's easy to find a close match to your skin tone, so it stays hidden under clothes.
I've worn this thong while going to Pilates classes, heading into the office and attending a holiday party. Unlike many thongs, this pair doesn't ride up or bunch, whether I'm bending into a downward dog or sitting at my desk. It's not fully seamless, so it does show a bit under leggings. I appreciate that it has a 100% cotton gusset to prevent any irritation.
Pros
- Breathable material
- Cotton gusset
- Ten nude shades
Cons
- A bit visible under leggings
Skims Cotton Ribbed Tank
This tank top is a staple in my wardrobe. I wear this tank in the color "bone" constantly: under sweaters, with suit pants and as loungewear. It's 100% cotton and has a ribbed texture. It's quite thin, so it doesn't offer any support and is a bit see-through. It's super soft and cropped right at the perfect spot.
I do think this tank is a great wardrobe staple as I wear it all the time, but for the higher price and super thin material, I wouldn't recommend it over other more affordable tanks available. The brand's cotton material is soft, but I have noticed some pilling. Online reviewers for the T-shirt in the same cotton rib material note substantial pilling under the arms.
Pros
- Soft, ribbed material
- 100% cotton
- Cropped right at the waist
Cons
- Very thin
Skims Seamless Sculpt Mid Thigh Short
These shapewear shorts are from the same line as the bodysuit featured above. They have a snug fit through the waist for tummy control and extra compression along the back thighs while having less compression on the booty to enhance your figure for a lifted look. There's an open gusset, so you don't have to take the shorts completely off when you have to pee.
One tester wore these shorts under her bridesmaid's dress to a wedding and said, "It eliminates lines and creates a beautiful shape on me." She also reported that "The fabric is soft and the fit is quite comfortable." She especially liked the silicone grips that kept the shorts in place without feeling sticky. These shorts are quite tight and she said she looked forward to taking them off at the end of the night. If you want similar coverage with less compression, check out Skims Everyday Sculpt shorts.
Skims also came up with a solution to dresses or skirts with a high slit: shapewear shorts with only one leg so you can get some coverage and support without having to worry about your shapewear peeking out. The brand sells two versions: one with the right leg exposed and one with the left.
Pros
- Silicone grips keep the shorts in place
- Tummy control
- Less compression in the booty for a lifted look
Cons
- One tester said they felt too tight after wearing a full day
Does Skims truly live up to its internet hype?
Yes! In our recent test of 158 bras, underwear and shapewear, we found Skims products to be some of the top performers. The shapewear provided snug compression for a slimmer, smoother look under clothes. We were impressed with the brand's shapewear design with targeted areas of compression to help lift and sculpt. The brand's everyday pieces have become wardrobe staples for many GH editors.
We also appreciate the brand's commitment to inclusivity with an excellent size range and 10 different nude skin tones, so you can find a close match to your shade. The brand has limited launches with bolder colors, but they sell out quickly. We love the brand's inventive solutions to common shapewear woes with one-leg shorts and sculpted bottoms for butt lift.
The final verdict
If you're looking for high-quality shapewear that won't flatten your bust or booty, you should consider adding Skims shapewear to your wardrobe. In our Lab tests, the shapewear performed well, returning to its original shape after being stretched out, and in our wear tests, I immediately appreciated the slimming effects and felt confident and sexy in my outfit. Keep in mind though: I did find it challenging to get on at first and too tight for all-day wear.
As someone who tests textile products like shapewear, bras and underwear for a living, my intimates drawer is overflowing with products from all sorts of brands yet I can regularly be found wearing Skims. Based on our thorough review of the brand, Skims is a trendy brand and many of their pieces are worth investing in.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
