Skims vs. Aritzia: Which brand should you buy?

Skims specializes in inclusive, comfortable, and body-conscious shapewear, loungewear, and basics, while Aritzia is a fashion retailer best known for its trendy, high-quality, and versatile clothing across a range of in-house labels. Skims focuses on foundational layers with an extensive range of sizes and neutral tones, whereas Aritzia focuses on building a complete, stylish wardrobe with everything from workwear to statement pieces.

Let's compare them directly to help you decide where to spend your money.

Skims: The Leader in Inclusive Shapewear & Basics

Founded by Kim Kardashian, Skims stormed the apparel world by reinventing shapewear and basics with an intense focus on comfort and inclusivity. The brand targets anyone looking for body-enhancing undergarments and cozy essentials that fit exceptionally well. Its use of innovative fabrics and an expansive range of "nude" shades has made it a favorite for those who want functional pieces that feel like a second skin.

• Product mix: The core of the collection includes seamless shapewear, bralettes, underwear, and bodysuits. Skims also has incredibly popular loungewear collections featuring items like knit pants, hoodies, and soft tees that are often worn as everyday clothing.
• Price point: Items are in the mid-to-high range for an essentials brand. Underwear and bralettes typically range from $20 to $45, while signature shapewear pieces land between $40 and $70. Popular loungewear sets can total over $100.
• Quality: Known for soft yet durable fabric blends, Skims uses high-quality nylon and elastane combinations that provide smoothing and contouring without feeling restrictive, and they hold their shape well after many washes.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is minimalist, sleek, and body-conscious. The color palette focuses heavily on neutral tones and a wide spectrum of skin-matching shades, supporting the brand's function-first philosophy.
• Sizing/Fit: This is where Skims truly excels. Sizing is exceptionally inclusive, with most items available from XXS to 4X, and some even stretching to 5X. The fit is generally true to size and designed to contour a very wide range of body types.

Skims is your go-to for incredibly comfortable, supportive, and inclusive foundational pieces that smooth and flatter without sacrificing style.

Shop Skims: skims.com

Aritzia: The Destination for Modern & Trendy Fashion

Aritzia is a Canadian fashion powerhouse that has built a loyal following for its "everyday luxury" apparel. It's not one single brand but a collection of distinct in-house labels like Wilfred, Babaton, and TNA. Aritzia is for the fashion-conscious woman who wants polished, on-trend, and high-quality pieces - from perfect work blouses and tailored trousers to flattering dresses and cozy sweaters - that feel more special than typical fast fashion.

• Product mix: Aritzia offers a complete wardrobe. You'll find popular items like sweaters, bodysuits, jeans, vegan leather pants, blouses, dresses, and outerwear. It also carries activewear through its TNA and Sunday Best labels.
• Price point: Aritzia's clothing sits in the mid-range. Basic tees and tops start around $40, sweaters are often $80-$150, dresses range from $80-$200, and coats can cost $250+.
• Quality: This is a key selling point. Aritzia uses premium-feeling fabrics like high-quality cottons, merino wool, silk, and technical fabrics. The craftsmanship, stitching, and finishing details are consistently good, making the clothes durable.
• Style & Aesthetic: The aesthetic is modern, chic, and versatile. While it follows seasonal trends, the overall look feels timeless and sophisticated, blending minimalist design with feminine details.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing typically runs from XXS to XL, with some items now offered up to XXL. The fit is generally considered consistent and tailored, often providing a flattering silhouette, but it is not as inclusive as what Skims offers.

Aritzia is the perfect choice for investing in stylish, high-quality, and versatile pieces that look polished and stay current season after season.

Shop Aritzia: aritzia.com

Skims vs. Aritzia Comparison

Price Comparison

On an item-by-item basis, Skims essentials like underwear and bralettes are often more affordable than Aritzia's cheapest tops. A Skims bra might cost $38, while a basic top from Aritzia will likely start around $40 or $50. However, Skims loungewear sets can easily cost as much as an Aritzia sweater or dress.

Aritzia's individual pieces are more expensive overall, as they are fashion garments, not underpinnings. A typical shopping trip at Aritzia for a complete outfit would cost significantly more than a haul of everyday basics from Skims. In short, Skims is more accessible for basics, while Aritzia is a bigger investment for wardrobe pieces.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize quality, but for different purposes. Skims' quality is in its technical fabric innovation. Its materials are engineered for stretch, softness, support, and a seamless finish against the body. They feel both buttery soft and securely compressive.

Aritzia's quality is rooted in traditional apparel fabrics and craftsmanship. The brand is known for using beautiful textiles like merino wool, crepes, and satins that drape well and feel luxurious. The construction of their garments, from stitching to linings, is typically a step above similarly priced retailers.

Product Selection & Aesthetics

This is the biggest difference between the two. Skims offers foundational items with a minimalist and body-forming aesthetic. Its product line is tightly focused on underwear, shapewear, loungewear, and basic tees - all in a very controlled, neutral color palette.

Aritzia offers a massive and diverse range of clothing designed to be seen. You can build a complete, trendy, and occasion-specific wardrobe there. Its aesthetic is much more fashion-forward, incorporating seasonal colors, patterns, and silhouettes for everything from office wear to evening outings.

Fit & Sizing

Skims is the undisputed winner when it comes to size inclusivity. With a range that extends up to 4X/5X, the brand makes a concerted effort to cater to a far wider variety of body shapes and sizes than most other brands. Their stretch materials are also forgiving and adapt well to individual proportions.

Aritzia's sizing is more traditional, primarily offering XXS-XL with some items extending to XXL. While their fit is known for being consistent and flattering within this range, it simply doesn't accommodate as many body types as Skims. Shoppers at the higher or lower end of the size spectrum will find far more options at Skims.

Which One Should You Choose?

The choice between these two brands really depends on what you're trying to add to your closet.

Choose Skims if:

• You're looking for comfortable, high-performance T-shirts, shapewear, bras, and underwear.
• Size inclusivity is a top priority and you need sizes beyond the standard range.
• You want exceptionally cozy and stylish loungewear for wearing at home or on the go.
• You prefer minimalist styles and building your wardrobe on a foundation of neutral basics.

Choose Aritzia if:

• You're shopping for trendy and stylish apparel like sweaters, blouses, trousers, or dresses.
• You need a polished outfit for work, a special occasion, or a night out.
• You appreciate high-quality fabrics like merino wool and detailed craftsmanship in your clothes.
• You want to invest in timeless yet modern pieces to create a versatile fashion wardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skims or Aritzia cheaper?

It depends on the item. Skims offers more affordable individual items like underwear ($20) and bras (~$35), making basics more accessible. However, an entire clothing outfit from Aritzia, such as a sweater and pants, will be significantly more expensive than a few basics from Skims.

Which brand has better quality?

Both brands have excellent quality for their markets. Skims excels in technical fabrics designed for comfort and performance. Aritzia excels in fashion textiles and garment construction, offering a more luxurious feel for everyday clothing.

Which brand is more size-inclusive?

Skims is far more size-inclusive, offering sizes from XXS to 4X/5X. Aritzia's sizing typically ranges from XXS to XL/XXL, which is less comprehensive.

What type of clothing is Skims known for?

Skims is most famous for its 'Fits Everybody' underwear line, seamless shapewear, bralettes, and soft lounge collections that have redefined comfortable and functional basics.

What are Aritzia's most popular items?

Aritzia is well known for standout pieces like the Super Puff™ jacket, its tailored Babaton trousers, versatile Wilfred dresses, and a wide array of high-quality sweaters.

Can you wear Skims items as normal clothing?

Yes, absolutely. While many pieces are designed as undergarments, Skims' basic bodysuits, tees, and almost all of its lounge collections are designed to be worn as stylish outerwear.

Which brand is better for wardrobe essentials?

For foundational essentials like t-shirts, underwear, bodysuits, and leggings, Skims is the clear winner due to its focus on fabric and comfort. For fashion essentials like a classic white blouse, tailored trousers, or a little black dress, Aritzia is the better destination.

Which brand is better for building a complete outfit?

Aritzia is designed for building complete, cohesive outfits. It offers every category of clothing needed for a layered look, from tops and sweaters to pants, skirts, and outerwear, while Skims focuses on the base layers.