Skims vs. Fendi: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
While both are leaders in their respective markets, Skims offers inclusive, affordable shapewear and basics with a focus on everyday comfort, whereas Fendi is an Italian luxury house known for its high-fashion statement pieces, opulent materials, and premium prices. The primary difference is their market position: Skims is for comfortable, modern essentials, while Fendi is for high-end, investment-worthy fashion.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe and budget.
Skims: The Modern Everyday Essentials
Co-founded by Kim Kardashian in 2019, Skims has quickly become a go-to brand for shapewear, loungewear, and basics that prioritize comfort and inclusivity. The brand appeals to a wide audience seeking functional, minimalist pieces that cater to a diverse range of body types and skin tones, all at an accessible mid-range price point.
- Product mix: A comprehensive collection of shapewear, underwear, bras, loungewear, and activewear in a signature palette of neutral tones and seamless designs.
- Price point: Generally falls between $20 for underwear basics to around $70 for more substantial loungewear or shapewear pieces, making it an affordable option for quality essentials.
- Quality: Focuses on innovative, soft, and stretchy fabrics like nylon blends and microfibers. Products are designed for a smooth fit, everyday comfort, and durability through regular washing.
- Sizing/Fit: A major strength of the brand, offering an inclusive size range from XXS to 5X. The fit is generally true to size and the stretchy materials adapt well to different body shapes.
Skims is the ideal choice for anyone prioritizing comfort, functional minimalism, and size inclusivity in their daily wardrobe.
Shop Skims: skims.com
Fendi: The Icon of Italian Luxury
Established in Rome in 1925, Fendi is a historic beacon of Italian luxury, celebrated for its exquisite craftsmanship, high-quality leather goods, and bold, fashion-forward designs. A favorite among affluent consumers and fashion collectors, Fendi offers iconic ready-to-wear, handbags, and accessories that signify prestige and timeless elegance.
- Product mix: Specializes in luxury leather goods like the famous Baguette bag, ready-to-wear fashion, haute couture, shoes, and fur. The iconic "FF" logo is a hallmark of the brand's designs.
- Price point: Firmly in the high-luxury category. Small accessories start in the hundreds of dollars, while handbags often retail for $2,000 to $5,000 or more, and ready-to-wear pieces typically cost several thousand dollars.
- Quality: Utilizes the finest materials, including premium leathers, silks, and furs. The brand is revered for its superior artisanal craftsmanship, meticulous hand-stitching, and durable construction that makes its products true investment pieces.
- Sizing/Fit: Follows standard European luxury sizing, which typically runs smaller and offers a more narrow size range than mainstream brands. The fit is structured and precisely tailored.
Fendi serves a luxury client who values heritage, status, and investing in high-fashion items crafted with unparalleled attention to detail.
Shop Fendi: fendi.com
Skims vs. Fendi Comparison
Price Comparison
The price difference between Skims and Fendi is immense, as they operate in entirely different markets. Skims provides premium-feeling basics at an accessible, mid-range cost. You can purchase several full outfits from a Skims collection for the price of a small Fendi accessory, like a keychain or cardholder.
A typical purchase at Skims might be a $30 bra and a $50 pair of leggings. In comparison, a ready-to-wear dress from Fendi often exceeds $3,000, and its iconic handbags start around $2,000. Fendi is for investment and luxury occasions, whereas Skims is designed for practical, everyday affordability.
Quality & Materials
Both brands produce high-quality products for their price points, but their definition of quality differs. Skims' quality is rooted in modern fabric technology - innovative seamless knits, soft microfiber blends, and supportive stretch materials designed for comfort and a smooth silhouette. The focus is on function, feel, and fit for daily life.
Fendi's quality is defined by traditional luxury craftsmanship. The house uses the world's finest leathers, silks, cashmeres, and furs, assembled by skilled artisans in Italy. The construction is about precision, longevity, and heritage techniques, such as hand-stitching on their Peekaboo bags. You're paying for generations of artisanal expertise.
Style & Aesthetic
Skims champions a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Its "look" is understated, defined by neutral and tonal colors, sleek lines, and designs that complement the body rather than overwhelm it. The style is versatile and functional, intended to be a foundational layer in a wardrobe.
Fendi, in contrast, is bold, opulent, and statement-making. Its aesthetic often features the prominent "FF" Zucca logo, rich textures, intricate details, and fashion-forward silhouettes. A Fendi piece is designed to be seen and is often the centerpiece of an outfit.
Fit & Sizing
Inclusivity is a core pillar of the Skims brand. They offer an exceptionally broad size range from XXS to 5X, making them one of the most size-inclusive brands in the industry. The fit is forgiving and designed to stretch and adapt, ensuring comfort for many different body types.
Fendi follows traditional luxury sizing, which is less inclusive. Sizes are limited, typically ranging from a US 0 to a 12 in ready-to-wear clothing. The fit is much more rigid and structured, reflecting its tailoring heritage, and may require alterations for a perfect fit.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right brand for you simply depends on what you're looking for, as Skims and Fendi serve entirely different needs.
Choose Skims if:
- You're looking for comfortable, functional shapewear, loungewear, or basics for daily use.
- You value inclusive sizing and a body-positive approach to fashion.
- Your budget is focused on accessible quality, typically under $100 per item.
- You prefer a minimalist, understated style with neutral colors.
Choose Fendi if:
- You're investing in a luxury handbag or a high-fashion statement piece.
- You value heritage craftsmanship, artisanal materials, and brand prestige.
- Your budget allows for high-end luxury goods that cost thousands of dollars.
- You want a bold, iconic piece that makes a statement and holds its value over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skims or Fendi more expensive?
Fendi is profoundly more expensive than Skims. Fendi is a high-luxury brand with products often costing thousands of dollars, whereas Skims is a mid-range brand with most items priced well under $100.
Which brand has better quality?
Each brand offers excellent quality for its specific purpose. Fendi's quality is rooted in luxury materials and meticulous Italian craftsmanship, making their items investment pieces meant to last a lifetime. Skims offers very high quality for its price, focusing on innovative, durable, and comfortable fabrics for everyday wear.
Is Skims a luxury brand?
No, Skims is not a luxury brand. It's positioned as a desirable, accessibly priced brand that blends quality with modern style, but it does not compete in the high-fashion luxury market like Fendi.
What is Fendi most famous for?
Fendi is most famous for its luxury leather goods, specifically handbags like the iconic Baguette and Peekaboo bags. The brand is also well-known for its double F "Zucca" logo, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, and its historical expertise with fur.
Is Skims' sizing inclusive?
Yes, inclusive sizing is a cornerstone of the Skims brand. It offers sizes ranging from XXS up to 5X, catering to a much wider range of body types than traditional fashion and luxury brands.
Is a Fendi bag a good investment?
Many classic Fendi bags, such as the Baguette, are considered good investments and can retain or even increase their value over time, especially for limited edition or vintage pieces.
Where can I buy Skims and Fendi?
You can purchase Skims directly from its official website and through select retail partners like Nordstrom. Fendi sells its products through its official website, its own worldwide boutiques, and high-end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Does Kim Kardashian still own Skims?
Yes, Kim Kardashian is a co-founder and continues to be the primary creative force and face of Skims, driving its brand direction and product development.
