Pumiey vs. Skims: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
Pumiey is a contemporary brand focused on comfortable, sustainable, and inclusive everyday essentials at an accessible mid-range price point. In contrast, Skims, founded by Kim Kardashian, is a premium, fashion-forward brand known for its high-compression shapewear, extensive shade ranges, and sculpting fabrics that come at a higher cost.
Let's look at the key differences to help you decide which bodysuits, shapewear, and loungewear are right for you.
Pumiey: Comfort-Focused Everyday Essentials
Pumiey positions itself as a go-to for women who prioritize comfort and functionality without giving up style. The brand emphasizes breathable, versatile pieces designed to feel like a second skin, making them ideal for daily wear. Their aesthetic is minimalist and modern, focusing on neutral color palettes and seamless designs that provide a smooth foundation under any outfit.
- Product mix: A focused selection of shapewear, bralettes, sculpting bodysuits, seamless underwear, and loungewear designed for everyday layering and versatility.
- Price point: Most items fall between $30 and $80, offering quality materials and a thoughtful fit at a price that is more accessible than premium competitors.
- Quality: Materials are a key highlight, with an emphasis on soft, stretchy, and breathable fabrics. Their seamless construction is designed for all-day comfort and to minimize any visible lines.
- Sizing/Fit: Pumiey offers an inclusive size range, typically from XS to 4X. The fit is generally reported as true to size with an adaptable, non-restrictive feel that comfortably hugs your curves without feeling constricting.
- Sustainability: The brand is a good choice for eco-conscious shoppers, as it highlights its use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials as well as transparent manufacturing practices.
Pumiey is for those who value comfort and sustainability in their basics and want high-quality, understated pieces at a moderate price.
Shop Pumiey: pumiey.com
Skims: Sculpting, Trend-Setting Shapewear
Skims has become a dominant force in the intimates and loungewear market by offering innovative solutions for all body types. Famous for its inclusive approach, Skims provides an extensive size range and a vast palette of skin-toned shades. The brand is known for its ability to sculpt and smooth the body using high-tech, often compressive fabrics that are both functional and fashionable.
- Product mix: An expansive collection including high-compression shapewear, bodysuits, bralettes, underwear, loungewear, and even swimwear and dresses, often in a wide array of colors and limited-edition drops.
- Price point: Skims operates on a premium-to-luxury pricing model. Basics may start around $20, but sculpting bodysuits and specialized loungewear often exceed $100.
- Quality: Known for its top-tier, often proprietary fabrics that provide varying levels of compression and smoothness. The quality is durable, holds its shape, and has a distinctly luxurious feel.
- Sizing/Fit: With a broad size range from XXS to 5X, Skims is an industry leader in inclusivity. Its fit is designed to sculpt the body, so garments are true to size but will feel form-fitting and compressive as intended.
- Shade Range: A major distinguisher for the brand is its huge selection of shades, designed to offer a "nude" option for a wide spectrum of skin tones.
Skims is ideal for anyone seeking high-performance, sculpting undergarments and trend-setting styles with an unmatched selection of colors and sizes.
Shop Skims: skims.com
Pumiey vs. Skims Comparison
Price Comparison
Price is one of the most significant differences between the two brands. Pumiey is positioned as a mid-range brand, with core products typically retailing between $30 and $80. This makes it an attractive option for customers seeking quality everyday basics without a premium price tag. Their sales events provide further opportunities to purchase at a lower cost.
Skims is consistently more expensive, reflecting its premium market position. While some basic items like underwear start around $20, their sought-after sculpting bodysuits can range from $68 to over $100. Skims sales do happen, but they are less frequent and often focused on specific collections, meaning you'll likely pay full price for their most popular items.
Quality & Materials
Both brands deliver high-quality products, but their fabrics serve different purposes. Pumiey focuses on comfort, using soft, breathable, and highly stretchy materials. Their garments feel gentle against the skin, making them perfect for long-term wear where comfort is the priority. Many materials also have an eco-friendly focus.
Skims is renowned for its innovative and often proprietary fabric blends that provide significant compression and sculpting. Materials like its "Power Mesh" are designed to cinch and smooth for a contoured silhouette. While comfortable for shapewear, the feeling is noticeably more compressive and structured than Pumiey's offerings. The overall feel is durable and luxurious.
Style & Aesthetic
Both brands share a minimalist and modern aesthetic, but with different intentions. Pumiey’s style is understated and functional, designed to be the invisible-yet-comfortable foundation of your wardrobe. The color palette centers around classic neutrals like black, white, and beige.
Skims takes a more fashion-forward approach. While it offers a complete range of neutrals, its seasonal collections introduce bold colors, muted pastels, and trendy shades. The brand is positioned not just as underwear, but as a style statement in itself, with pieces that are often meant to be seen.
Fit & Sizing
Both brands are strong performers in inclusive sizing. Pumiey offers sizes from XS to 4X, and their garments are known to be true-to-size with a forgiving, stretchy fit. The goal is a comfortable, body-hugging feel that adapts to your shape.
Skims leads the industry with a staggering size range from XXS to 5X. Their fit is very precise and designed for sculpting. For this reason, it’s critical to consult their size chart. Garments are intended to be form-fitting and compressive, so if you are between sizes, your choice may depend on whether you want more comfort or more compression.
Sustainability & Ethics
Sustainability is a core tenet of Pumiey's brand identity. They actively promote their use of eco-friendly fabrics and their commitment to transparent, responsible manufacturing processes. For consumers where ethical production is a key purchasing factor, Pumiey has a clear advantage.
Skims has made strides in sustainability, such as introducing eco-friendly packaging and incorporating some sustainable materials. However, as a much larger global brand, its focus remains more on product innovation and marketing, with sustainability initiatives being a developing part of its platform.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to what you value most in your wardrobe basics: everyday comfort or high-performance sculpting.
Choose Pumiey if:
- Your main priority is all-day comfort and breathable fabrics that feel gentle on the skin.
- You want high-quality essentials at a more accessible, mid-range price point.
- Eco-friendly materials and sustainable brand practices are important to you.
- You prefer an understated, minimalist look for foundational wardrobe pieces.
Choose Skims if:
- You're looking for shapewear with powerful compression to sculpt and contour your silhouette.
- A wide selection of skin-toned shades or trendy, fashion-forward colors is essential.
- You need an exceptionally broad size range (XXS-5X) to find your perfect fit.
- You don't mind paying a premium for celebrity-endorsed, luxurious-feeling materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pumiey or Skims cheaper?
Pumiey is significantly cheaper. Its products generally range from $30 to $80, whereas Skims' popular items, like its sculpting bodysuits, often cost between $68 and $100+.
Which brand has better quality?
Neither is "better," they're just different. Skims excels in high-performance, compressive materials that have a luxurious, durable feel designed for shaping. Pumiey excels in soft, sturdy, and breathable fabrics designed for ultimate comfort and everyday use.
Which sizing is more accurate, Pumiey or Skims?
Both are widely considered true to size. Pumiey offers a comfortable, adaptable fit within its XS-4X range. Skims provides a more extensive XXS-5X range and a precisely sculpted fit, so cross-referencing with their size chart is highly recommended.
Is Pumiey a good alternative for Skims?
Yes, especially if your priority is comfort and affordability. While not a direct "dupe" due to differences in fabric technology and mission, Pumiey offers a similar minimalist aesthetic in high-quality comfort styles at a lower price.
Does Skims or Pumiey have better compression?
Skims has significantly better and stronger compression. Its core purpose is to sculpt, cinch, and smooth with technical fabrics. Pumiey offers light shaping and a body-hugging feel but does not focus on high-compression technology.
Which brand is more sustainable?
Pumiey currently has a more pronounced focus on sustainability, emphasizing its use of eco-friendly materials and responsible production. While Skims is making improvements, it is not a central pillar of its brand marketing.
Who owns Pumiey and Skims?
Skims was co-founded by reality television star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian. Pumiey is a contemporary apparel brand and is not associated with a high-profile celebrity founder.
Where can I buy Pumiey and Skims?
Both brands primarily sell through their official websites. Skims products are also available at select high-end department stores like Nordstrom and Selfridges, giving it a physical retail presence that Pumiey largely does not have.
