HeyShape vs. Skims vs. Spanx: Which brand is better? [2026]
Spanx is the original shapewear giant known for powerful compression and event-ready control, while Skims offers trendy designs with an unmatched range of inclusive sizes and skin tones. The newer arrival, HeyShape, focuses on customizable comfort and breathable fabrics, bringing modern innovation to everyday shaping.
Let's compare these three major players to help you decide which brand best fits your body, style, and shaping needs.
HeyShape: Customizable Comfort & Modern Fit
HeyShape is a contemporary shapewear brand focused on blending effective shaping with superior comfort and customization. They target shoppers who feel traditional shapewear is too restrictive, offering solutions with adjustable compression, inclusive sizing, and high-tech, breathable fabrics. Their aesthetic is modern and minimalist, making their pieces easy to wear daily.
- Product mix: Their core collection includes high-waisted shorts, bodysuits, and targeted compression garments. They also offer activewear with built-in shaping elements.
- Price point: A mid-range brand, with most key pieces priced between $50 and $120.
- Sizing/Fit: Sizing runs from XS to 4X. The brand's signature is its adjustable compression features, which allow for a more personalized fit.
- Materials: Emphasizes high-quality, breathable fabrics designed for long-wear comfort without sacrificing shaping power.
- Aesthetic: Sleek, minimalist designs in neutral colorways. Their pieces are designed to be functional and versatile.
- Return policy: Offers a standard return policy on unworn items with tags attached.
HeyShape is the choice for anyone who prioritizes a comfortable, breathable fit and wants the ability to customize their level of compression for everyday wear.
Shop HeyShape: heyshape.com
Skims: Inclusive Style & Viral Appeal
Founded by Kim Kardashian, Skims has taken the industry by storm with its trend-forward approach to shapewear and loungewear. The brand is celebrated for its incredible inclusivity, offering an extensive range of sizes and a wide array of skin tone-matching shades. Skims blurs the line between underwear and outerwear, creating pieces that are meant to be both functional and seen.
- Product mix: A vast range including shapewear, bodysuits, underwear, bras, and bestselling loungewear. Many shapewear pieces are stylish enough to be worn as tops.
- Price point: Sits in the luxury-mid market, with most shapewear costing between $30 and $80.
- Sizing/Fit: An industry leader in inclusivity, offering sizes from XXS to 5X. The fit is generally true to size and designed to mold to the body.
- Materials: Utilizes innovative, buttery-soft fabrics like their "Power Mesh" that feel comfortable against the skin while providing effective smoothing.
- Aesthetic: Modern, minimalist, and on-trend. Known for its signature neutral and skin-tone color palettes, with frequent drops of limited-edition fashion colors.
- Return policy: Standard return window for items in original condition.
Skims is ideal for the fashion-conscious shopper who wants versatile pieces, an exact skin-tone match, and a massive size range to choose from.
Shop Skims: skims.com
Spanx: The Shapewear Pioneer
As the brand that brought shapewear into the mainstream, Spanx is a household name trusted for its reliability and high-performance results. While it started with body-slimming hosiery, the company now offers a wide array of garments for targeted shaping and all-over smoothing. Spanx is the go-to for many when they need dependable, event-level control that just works.
- Product mix: Features a broad selection of shapewear bodysuits, shorts, slips, and briefs. They have also expanded into popular leggings, activewear, and everyday apparel lines like their AirLuxe collection.
- Price point: Mid-range to premium, with shaping garments typically falling between $30 and $100.
- Sizing/Fit: Offers sizes from XS to 3X. Known for a strong, compressive fit that many find runs true-to-size for its intended purpose.
- Materials: Famous for durable, powerful compression fabrics like its "Slim-X" technology that provide maximum shaping and are built to last.
- Aesthetic: Classic, functional, and discreet. The designs focus on seamless edges and smooth finishes designed to disappear under clothing.
- Return policy: A well-established customer service and return process.
Spanx remains the top choice for those seeking proven, durable shapewear with maximum compression for special occasions or when a sleek silhouette is essential.
Shop Spanx: spanx.com
HeyShape vs. Skims vs. Spanx Comparison
Price Comparison
The three brands occupy slightly different segments of the market. Skims and Spanx have similar entry points, with core products generally ranging from $30 to $100. Skims' pricing is accessible for its trend status, bringing a luxury feel to the mid-market.
HeyShape is positioned slightly higher, with most of its innovative garments priced between $50 and $120. This reflects their focus on proprietary technologies like adjustable compression and high-performance, breathable materials. For value, Spanx often provides excellent ROI due to its sheer durability, while Skims offers access to viral styles at a competitive price.
Quality & Materials
Each brand prioritizes quality but emphasizes different attributes. Spanx has built its reputation on durability, its fabrics are known for powerful compression that holds up after many washes. They are constructed for maximum control and longevity. Skims focuses on a sensory experience with incredibly soft, stretchy, and lightweight materials like its Fits Everybody and Power Mesh collections. The construction is high-quality with a soft, seamless finish.
HeyShape carves out a middle ground, using high-tech fabrics engineered to be both strong and breathable. Their emphasis is on all-day comfort, preventing overheating and restriction some associate with powerful shapewear, making it excellent for daily use.
Product Selection & Style
Skims reigns supreme in trend-forward versatility and breadth. Its catalog is immense, spanning dozens of colors and seasonal collections that often blur the lines between shapewear and ready-to-wear. Their focus on inclusive nudes and minimalist style has become their signature.
Spanx offers a more classic and functional catalog. The pieces are discreet workhorses designed to solve specific clothing challenges, like eliminating panty lines or smoothing the tummy under a dress. HeyShape follows a more edited, modern approach with minimalist designs focusing on core shaping needs, similar to Skims' aesthetic but with more emphasis on functional design features like adjustability.
Fit & Sizing
Inclusivity is a major differentiating factor. Skims leads the industry with a size range typically spanning from XXS to 5X and an extensive palette of skin tones. They set the standard for making products that cater to a very wide audience.
HeyShape also emphasizes inclusivity, with sizes ranging from XS to 4X, and is unique in its focus on adjustable features that provide a more customizable fit within that size. This is a great solution for those between sizes. Spanx has a more traditional size range, generally XS to 3X, which is consistent and reliable but less expansive than its competitors.
Which One Should You Choose?
All three brands provide excellent shaping solutions, but the right one depends on your personal priorities and needs.
Choose HeyShape if:
- Comfort and breathability are your top priorities.
- You want the ability to adjust the level of compression throughout the day.
- You're looking for innovative, high-tech shapewear for regular, everyday use.
- You have felt that other shapewear is too restrictive or hot.
Choose Skims if:
- You want the widest selection of sizes (XXS-5X) and skin-tone shades.
- You love trendy, viral styles and want shapewear that can double as a fashion piece.
- An extremely soft, butter-like fabric feel is important to you.
- You're shopping for shapewear, loungewear, and basics all in one place.
Choose Spanx if:
- You need reliable, powerful compression for a special event or "snatched" look.
- Durability and long-lasting performance are most important to you.
- You prefer a classic, functional piece of shapewear that is proven to work.
- You trust an established brand with a long history of perfecting fit and control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand offers the strongest compression?
Spanx is widely known for offering the highest level of compression. Their garments are engineered for maximum shaping and control, making them a go-to for special events where a perfectly smooth silhouette is required.
Which shapewear is best for everyday wear?
HeyShape is arguably designed with everyday wear in mind, thanks to its focus on breathable fabrics and adjustable features. However, many find Skims' "Fits Everybody" and "Seamless Sculpt" collections incredibly comfortable for daily use as well.
Is Skims or Spanx better for tummy control?
Both brands excel at tummy control. Spanx OnCore and higher power series provide firm, traditional compression. Skims offers various levels, with collections like Seamless Sculpt and Core Control providing excellent tummy shaping with a more comfortable, modern feel.
Which brand runs true to size?
All three brands recommend consulting their specific size charts before purchasing. Generally, Skims and Spanx are said to run true to size for their intended compressive fit. It's often advised not to size down in shapewear, as this can cause rolling and discomfort. HeyShape's adjustable features also help shoppers achieve a near-perfect fit.
