Skims Bra vs. Victoria's Secret: Which one should you buy?

The core difference between Skims and Victoria's Secret lies in their aesthetic and philosophy. Skims champions minimalist, modern comfort with a focus on inclusive sizing and seamless, second-skin fabrics designed to be invisible under clothing, while Victoria's Secret is known for its glamorous, sensual style, featuring lace, bold colors, and a more traditionally feminine look.

Here’s a detailed look at both brands to help you decide which is the right choice for your lingerie drawer.

Skims Bras

Founded by Kim Kardashian in 2019, Skims quickly grew into a major player by focusing on what many modern consumers want: comfort, inclusivity, and a minimalist style. The brand's bras are designed to feel like you’re wearing nothing at all, using innovative fabrics and seamless construction to enhance your natural shape without sacrificing support.

• What it is: A modern collection of bras, shapewear, and loungewear known for its inclusive sizing, seamless designs, and a wide palette of skin-matching tones.
• Key features: Buttery-soft proprietary fabrics, seamless construction for invisibility under clothing, wire-free and lightly lined options, and an extensive size range.
• Price: Typically from $32 to $68.
• Style/Aesthetic: Minimalist, sleek, and contemporary. The focus is on clean lines and neutral colors that function as versatile basics.
• Sizing/Fit: Highly inclusive, ranging from XXS to 4X, and is known for being true to size with comprehensive fit guides online.
• Pros: Superior all-day comfort. Seamless design looks invisible under tops. Highly inclusive sizing makes it accessible for many body types. Consistent high-quality, durable materials.
• Cons: Limited decorative or "sexy" styles like lace or bold prints. Primarily sold online, which means you can't easily try before you buy. Tends to be at a slightly higher price point with fewer sales.

This brand is ideal for those who prioritize a comfortable, "second-skin" feeling for everyday wear and prefer a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Shop this brand: skims.com/collections/bras

Victoria's Secret Bras

Victoria's Secret has been a leader in the lingerie market since 1977, building its name on glamour, allure, and femininity. The brand offers an enormous variety of styles, from push-up and padded bras to delicate bralettes, often detailed with lace, embroidery, and vibrant colors. Though historically known for a specific "Angel" look, the brand is now focused on becoming more inclusive and comfortable.

• What it is: A globally recognized lingerie brand offering a wide assortment of bras, panties, and sleepwear with a famously sexy and feminine aesthetic.
• Key features: Wide variety of push-up, balconette, and full-coverage styles. Extensive use of lace, satin, and decorative details. Frequent new collections and a massive physical store presence.
• Price: Generally $30 to $70, with frequent and large-scale sales events.
• Style/Aesthetic: Glamorous, feminine, and overtly sexy. Expect vibrant colors, intricate lace, sparkles, and designs that are made to be seen.
• Sizing/Fit: Traditional band and cup sizes (e.g., 32A to 40DD), with an expanding size selection. Fit can vary between lines, so trying them on is often recommended.
• Pros: Huge variety of styles, colors, and designs. Budget-friendly thanks to constant sales and promotions. Widespread physical stores allow for in-person fittings and try-ons. Strong brand recognition for classic "sexy" lingerie.
• Cons: Quality can be inconsistent across different product lines. Historically limited size range, although this is improving. Less focus on minimalist, seamless designs for everyday invisibility.

Perfect for shoppers looking for eye-catching, glamorous lingerie in a wide range of styles and who enjoy the experience of in-store shopping promotions.

Shop this brand: victoriassecret.com/us/vs/bras

Skims vs. Victoria's Secret: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Style & Aesthetic

The most significant difference comes down to style. Skims is built on a foundation of sleek minimalism. Its bras are designed to meld with your body and disappear under your clothes, favoring neutral, skin-tone matching colorways and simple, unadorned fabrics. It's about quiet confidence and comfort.

Victoria's Secret, on the other hand, embraces maximalism and overt femininity. Its collections are filled with lace, bright colors, intricate patterns, and push-up technology. VS lingerie is often designed to make a statement, whether worn for yourself or someone else.

Fit & Sizing Inclusivity

Skims was founded with inclusivity at its core. Its sizing model (XXS-4X) is meant to accommodate a broader range of body types from the start, and its fits are known for being consistent and true to size. There is a strong emphasis on bodysuits and unlined styles that adapt to your shape.

Victoria's Secret has traditionally used a standard band-and-cup sizing model that catered to a narrower set of measurements. While the company is actively working to expand its size range and feature more diverse models, Skims maintains an advantage for shoppers who have historically struggled to find their size in mainstream stores.

Quality & Materials

Skims is known for its proprietary fabrics, which are almost universally praised for a soft, buttery, and compressive-but-comfortable feel. The construction is overwhelmingly seamless, and the quality feels consistent and durable for everyday wear.

Victoria's Secret uses a wider variety of materials, including microfiber, mesh, cotton, satin, and lots of lace. This variety is a major plus from one style to another. Some collections are built for durability, while more delicate, lace-heavy pieces may require more careful handling.

Price & Value

On paper, both brands occupy a similar price range of roughly $30-$70. However, their value propositions differ. A Skims bra feels like a premium, everyday investment - you pay full price but get exceptional comfort and quality. Victoria's Secret is the powerhouse of promotions. It's rare to pay full price thanks to its famous semi-annual sales, "5 for $35" panty deals, and other frequent discounts, making it a dream for budget-conscious shoppers who love a good bargain.

Shopping Experience

The experience of buying from each brand is completely different. Skims is a direct-to-consumer digital native. Its website is clean, modern, and user-friendly, with detailed fit guides to help you shop from home. However, you can't easily try anything on before purchasing.

Victoria's Secret provides an omnichannel experience with its massive global footprint of physical stores. This is a huge advantage for shoppers who want a professional bra fitting, want to see and feel the materials in person, and value the ability to try on multiple sizes and styles before committing.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer great products, but they excel in serving very different needs and style preferences.

Choose Skims if:

• You prioritize all-day comfort and a "second-skin" sensation above all else.
• You want seamless T-shirt bras that are genuinely invisible under clothes.
• A minimalist, modern aesthetic in neutral colorways is your go-to style.
• Inclusive sizing and finding a perfect skin-tone match are important to you.

Choose Victoria's Secret if:

• You love a glamorous, traditionally sexy, and feminine lingerie style.
• You want a huge variety of styles, colors, and decorative options like lace and prints.
• You prefer to try on bras in a physical store and get a professional fitting.
• You are a bargain hunter who loves taking advantage of big sales and promotions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Skims and Victoria's Secret?

The primary difference is their aesthetic and purpose. Skims focuses on minimalist, seamless comfort for everyday wear with inclusive sizing. Victoria's Secret focuses on glamorous, sexy designs with lace and bold colors, though it's expanding into more comfortable and inclusive styles.

Which brand is more comfortable?

Skims is widely considered more comfortable for all-day, everyday wear due to its focus on buttery-soft, stitch-free fabrics and wire-free designs that feel like a second skin.

Is Skims sizing accurate?

Yes, Skims is generally reviewed as being true to size. Its website provides detailed size charts and fit guides to help you find the correct size without trying it on.

Does Victoria's Secret have inclusive sizing?

Victoria's Secret has been expanding its size range significantly to be more inclusive. However, Skims was built on an inclusive sizing model from its inception and generally offers a wider range standardly across its collections.

Which brand is better quality?

Skims is often perceived as having more consistently high-quality, durable materials designed for wash and wear. Victoria's Secret quality can vary more between its different collections and styles.

Are Skims bras worth the money?

If comfort, a seamless look, and inclusive sizing are your top priorities, most customers find Skims bras to be well worth the price due to their durability and exceptional feel.

Which brand is better for everyday wear?

For most people, Skims is the better choice for everyday wear. Its focus on seamless comfort and neutral colors makes its bras easy and practical to wear under any kind of clothing.

Can I try on Skims bras in a store?

Skims is primarily sold online, which makes trying them on difficult. However, some department stores like Nordstrom and Selfridges have started carrying the brand, offering a limited in-person shopping option.