Nagler vs. Skims: Which brand should you buy?

Discover which shapewear suits you: Nagler's premium, minimalist designs or Skims' inclusive, versatile options. Find your perfect fit and style today.
Spencer Lanoue
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Spencer Lanoue
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Nagler is focused on high-performance, minimalist shapewear made from premium, durable fabrics, positioning itself as a function-first investment piece. Skims, founded by Kim Kardashian, champions inclusivity with an extensive range of sizes and skin tones, offering stylistically versatile and more accessibly priced options.

Let's compare these two popular brands to help you decide which one best suits your specific needs.

Nagler: The High-Performance Innovator

Nagler emphasizes a combination of advanced fabric technology and minimalist design to create shapewear that feels like a second skin. Its target audience values quality craftsmanship, durability, and a sleek, modern aesthetic. The brand blends comfort with effective sculpting, making its pieces ideal for those seeking both daily wearability and premium performance.

  • Product mix: A focused collection of core shapewear essentials like sculpting bodysuits and seamless shorts designed for maximum performance and functionality.
  • Price point: Positioned in the mid-range to premium segment, with core pieces typically priced between $50 and $150.
  • Quality & Materials: Utilizes innovative, proprietary fabric blends known for high compression, excellent breathability, and durability. Products are designed with flatlock seams to remain invisible under clothing.
  • Sizing/Fit: Offers sizes from XS to 3X. The fit is true to size and designed to be highly compressive for a secure, sculpted silhouette.
  • Sustainability: The brand prioritizes sustainability, using eco-friendly fabrics and adhering to ethical manufacturing practices.

Nagler is an excellent choice for those seeking incredibly durable, high-performance shapewear with a focus on quality over a broad product range.

Shop Nagler: nagler.com

Skims: The Inclusive & Versatile Leader

Skims has made waves with its solutions-oriented approach to shapewear, loungewear, and intimates, driven by its commitment to body diversity and inclusivity. The brand appeals to a wide demographic with its extensive size and color ranges, ensuring there's a seamless match for nearly everyone. Skims' trendy yet functional designs often blur the line between innerwear and outerwear.

  • Product mix: A vast range including shapewear, loungewear, bras, underwear, and accessories. Many pieces are designed to be versatile enough to wear as clothing.
  • Price point: Offers a broad price range, with underwear starting around $20 and more structured shapewear going up to $150, making it accessible to a wider audience.
  • Quality & Materials: Made from advanced materials like sculpting microfiber and breathable nylon blends that offer strong compression with all-day comfort.
  • Sizing/Fit: A leader in inclusivity, offering an extensive size range from XXS to 4X. Skims is known for a snug, true-to-size fit for all body types.
  • Sustainability: The company has made steps toward sustainability by incorporating recycled materials and using eco-conscious packaging.

Skims is the go-to for shoppers who prioritize an exact skin tone match, an extensive size selection, and trendy, versatile pieces at an accessible price point.

Shop Skims: skims.com

Nagler vs. Skims Comparison

Price Comparison

Skims offers more flexibility in pricing. With basics starting around $20, it’s easier for shoppers to try the brand or build a collection without a major investment. Frequent sales and promotions also increase affordability. Although its high-compression items can reach a similar price point as Nagler's, the entry-level options make it more accessible.

Nagler positions itself as a premium investment, with prices for its core pieces starting at $50. The value is found in the longevity and high-tech fabric, which justifies the higher cost for customers focused on quality and performance over time.

Quality & Materials

Nagler stands out for its emphasis on innovative, high-performance fabrics. Its proprietary materials feel remarkably durable while providing strong, comfortable compression. The seamless construction is top-notch, ensuring its products last well and remain supportive through extended wear and washing.

Skims also uses high-quality sculpting microfiber and nylon blends. The fabrics are comfortable, breathable, and effective at smoothing and shaping. While durable, the perception is often that Nagler's materials are engineered for a slightly higher level of technical performance and longevity.

Product Selection & Style

Nagler takes a minimalist approach. Its catalog is curated and focused on highly functional, utilitarian shapewear in neutral tones. The style is classic and designed purely to function perfectly under other clothes, without drawing attention to itself.

Skims offers an expansive selection beyond just shapewear, including bras, panties, loungewear, and even dresses. The brand is more trend-driven, offering a huge palette of "nude" shades as well as seasonal colors and pastels. Many Skims bodysuits and tops are designed to be worn on their own, blending function with fashion.

Fit & Sizing

While Nagler's XS to 3X range is inclusive, Skims is the clear leader in this category. With sizes running from XXS to 4X, Skims caters to a much broader spectrum of body types, solidifying its place as one of the most size-inclusive brands on the market. Both brands generally fit true to size, but Skims' dedication to providing options for nearly every body is a key differentiator.

Shopping Experience

Both brands offer excellent online shopping experiences. Their websites are modern, easy to navigate, and full of helpful sizing guides and product details. Nagler's customer service receives praise for being knowledgeable and responsive. Skims benefits from a massive online presence and occasional partnerships with major retailers, which increases its accessibility.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both Nagler and Skims are making efforts to improve their environmental impact. Skims has incorporated recycled materials into its collections and uses eco-conscious packaging. Nagler makes sustainability a more central part of its brand identity by emphasizing its use of eco-friendly fabrics and ethical production from the start, giving it a slight advantage for environmentally conscious shoppers.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand really depends on what you value most in shapewear. Both are excellent choices serving slightly different customers.

Choose Nagler if:

  • You prioritize fabric technology, durability, and long-lasting performance.
  • You want maximum compression and support for all-day wear.
  • You prefer a sleek, minimalist aesthetic in classic neutral tones.
  • You are willing to invest a bit more for premium quality and construction.

Choose Skims if:

  • You need an extensive range of sizes (XXS to 4X) and skin tones.
  • You are looking for versatile pieces that can be worn as both shapewear and outerwear.
  • You want more affordable options and enjoy shopping during sales events.
  • You prioritize finding a perfect skin-tone match to wear under sheer clothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nagler or Skims more expensive?

On average, Nagler is positioned as a more premium brand with a higher starting price point (around $50). Skims has a wider price range, with more accessible entry-level products like underwear starting around $20.

Which brand has better quality?

Nagler is often associated with more premium, high-performance fabrics designed for longevity and strong compression. While Skims offers great quality for its price, Nagler's focus is on technical materials that provide a slight edge in durability.

Is Skims shapewear comfortable for all-day wear?

Yes, Skims products are widely known for being very comfortable. The fabrics are designed to be lightweight, breathable, and offer compression that smooths without feeling overly restrictive, making them suitable for long periods of wear.

Which sizing is more inclusive?

Skims is the leader in inclusive sizing. Its range from XXS to 4X is one of the widest on the market, serving a much broader range of body types compared to Nagler's XS to 3X range.

Can you wear Skims as regular clothing?

Absolutely. Many of Skims' bodysuits, t-shirts, and loungewear pieces are designed with a fashion-forward aesthetic that makes them perfect for wearing on their own as part of an everyday outfit.

Which brand offers more compression?

Both brands offer levels of compression, but Nagler is known for its high-performance fabrics that provide a very secure, sculpted fit. Shoppers looking for a strong "held-in" feeling might lean towards Nagler.

Does Kim Kardashian still own Skims?

Yes, Kim Kardashian is the founder and a central figure in the creative direction and marketing of Skims.

Which business is more environmentally friendly?

Both companies are working towards better sustainability. Nagler integrates eco-friendly fabrics and ethical manufacturing as a core part of its mission, while Skims uses recycled materials and eco-conscious packaging. Nagler's focus is slightly more pronounced from a branding perspective.