Skims vs. Good American: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Skims is primarily a shapewear and loungewear brand focused on innovative, body-contouring fabrics and a minimalist aesthetic. In contrast, Good American is a fashion-forward apparel brand centered on high-quality, inclusive denim and trendy everyday wear. While both were famously co-founded by Kardashian sisters and champion body positivity, Skims offers foundational layers, whereas Good American provides statement-making outerwear and jeans.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe.

Skims: The Shapewear & Loungewear Innovator

Founded by Kim Kardashian, Skims stormed the market in 2019 with a modern take on shapewear and basics. The brand's mission is to provide comfortable, supportive, and seamless solutions for every body type. Its immense popularity comes from its unique fabric blends that smooth and sculpt without feeling restrictive, along with an extensive range of nude shades that cater to diverse skin tones.

• Product mix: Primarily focused on shapewear, underwear, bras, and loungewear. Known for its seamless construction and collections like "Fits Everybody" and "Soft Lounge."
• Price point: Generally accessible. Basic shapewear and underwear start around $30, while more complex bodysuits or popular loungewear sets can range from $80–$100.
• Quality: Known for innovative nylon-spandex blends that feel soft, stretchy, and supportive. Materials are designed for a second-skin feel with moisture-wicking properties.
• Style & Aesthetic: Minimalist, sleek, and functional. The color palette revolves heavily around neutral tones and nudes, designed to be invisible under clothing or worn as understated basics.
• Sizing/Fit: Highly inclusive, offering sizes from XXS to 5X. The fit is designed to be compressive and snug but is generally true to size for its intended purpose.

Skims is the go-to for modern, comfortable shapewear and basics with a minimalist feel and exceptional size and shade inclusivity.

Shop Skims: skims.com

Good American: The Denim & Inclusivity Pioneer

Co-founded by Khloe Kardashian and Emma Grede in 2016, Good American launched to redefine the fashion industry with a focus on size inclusivity, starting with denim. The brand designs high-quality jeans, activewear, and everyday essentials that fit and flatter a wide variety of body types. Their aesthetic is modern and edgy, empowering women to feel confident and stylish without compromising on fit.

• Product mix: Core focus on premium denim in various styles. Also offers a wide range of activewear, blazers, bodysuits, and swimwear.
• Price point: Positioned at a higher, more premium price point. Jeans typically range from $100 to $150, with some specialty styles costing more. Activewear and basics fall between $40 and $80.
• Quality: Excellent construction, particularly in their denim, which features high-stretch fabrics with great recovery. Emphasizes durable, premium materials designed for long-term wear.
• Style & Aesthetic: Modern, trend-forward, and edgy. Expect a mix of classic denim washes, distressed details, bold silhouettes, and seasonal colors that go beyond basic neutrals.
• Sizing/Fit: A leader in inclusivity, with sizes ranging from 00 to 24. Known for a true-to-size fit, especially in denim, which is engineered to eliminate waistband gaps and support curves.

Good American excels at creating fashion-forward, high-quality denim and apparel with a strong focus on ethical production and fitting a wide range of body types.

Shop Good American: goodamerican.com

Skims vs. Good American Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in pricing that reflects each brand's focus. Skims is more accessible for everyday basics, with underwear and shapewear pieces priced from $30-$80. You can build a collection of foundational garments at a relatively moderate cost.

Good American is an investment in fashionable outerwear, particularly denim. With jeans starting at over $100, its pricing is typical for a premium denim brand. While their activewear is priced similarly to Skims' loungewear, their hero products represent a higher financial commitment. Both brands hold sales events, but Good American's higher starting price means it will generally be the more expensive option.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize quality, but apply it differently. Skims' strength is in its innovative, proprietary fabrics that blend nylon and spandex for a unique mix of softness, stretch, and compression. The feel is lightweight and seamless, designed for comfort and shaping under clothes. These materials are perfect for their intended use but are not as rugged as denim or outerwear.

Good American focuses on durability and structure. Their denim is crafted from high-quality, resilient materials with excellent stretch recovery, meaning they won't bag out after a few wears. The brand's commitment to materials is evident in the weight and feel of their jeans and blazers, which are built to last.

Product Selection & Style

The product ranges are almost perfectly complementary. Skims is about what's underneath - the foundation that makes your clothes look better. Its minimalist, neutral-heavy aesthetic is functional and designed to disappear or serve as a subtle base layer. The selection is deep within its niche of shapewear, loungewear, and intimates.

Good American is about the outward-facing outfit. Its style is trendy, edgy, and designed to be seen. From distressed denim to bold blazers and stylish active sets, the pieces are intended to make a statement. While they offer basics like bodysuits, their core strength is fashion apparel.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands are celebrated leaders in inclusive sizing, but approach it from different angles. Skims offers an impressive XXS-5X range, ensuring their compressive, body-hugging garments cater to a huge spectrum of sizes. The fit is intentionally snug to provide shaping and support.

Good American's 00-24 size range revolutionized the denim world. They use fit models for different size ranges to ensure their clothes work for various body types, not just scaled-up versions of a smaller size. Their "Always Fits" jeans offer incredible stretch, but their standard denim is known for being reliably true to size, offering specific cuts for different body shapes.

Sustainability & Ethics

Good American has made sustainability and ethical manufacturing a core part of its brand identity. The company is transparent about its supply chain, uses recycled materials in its products, and advocates for fair labor practices. This is a key selling point for conscious consumers.

Skims is newer and has been less vocal about its sustainability programs. While the brand is making efforts to incorporate more eco-friendly practices, Good American currently has a more established and transparent commitment to ethical production.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what part of your wardrobe you're looking to build. Both brands offer exceptional quality within their specialties.

Choose Skims if:

• You're looking for comfortable, effective shapewear or seamless underwear.
• You love a minimalist, understated aesthetic with a focus on neutral colors.
• You want ultra-soft loungewear for relaxing at home or running errands.
• You need foundational pieces to create a smooth silhouette under your existing clothes.

Choose Good American if:

• You're hunting for the perfect pair of high-quality, figure-flattering jeans.
• Your style is modern, edgy, and you like to follow current trends.
• Ethical manufacturing and sustainability are major factors in your purchase decisions.
• You want well-constructed apparel like bodysuits, blazers, and swimsuits that are designed for curves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skims or Good American more expensive?

Overall, Good American is more expensive. Its core products are premium denim jeans that typically cost over $100. Skims' core products are shapewear and intimates that range from $30-$80, making them more accessible on a per-item basis.

Which brand is better for jeans?

Good American is unequivocally better for jeans. Denim is the brand's cornerstone product, and they offer a vast array of styles, washes, and fits engineered specifically for a diverse range of body types.

Which brand is better for shapewear?

Skims is the clear winner for shapewear. It is the brand's founding category and features innovative fabrics that smooth, lift, and contour the body comfortably. Their selection of styles and shades is unmatched.

Are Skims and Good American owned by the same person?

No, but they are both connected to the Kardashian family. Skims was founded by Kim Kardashian. Good American was co-founded by Khloe Kardashian and Emma Grede.

Do both brands run true to size?

Yes, both brands are known for running true to size, but their fit is different. A Skims garment will have a snug, compressive fit as intended for shapewear. A pair of Good American jeans will have a structured but comfortable fit designed for everyday wear. Always check their specific size charts before ordering.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Good American has a stronger and more transparent commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing. They actively promote their use of recycled materials and fair-wage factories.

Can you find both brands in retail stores?

Yes. In addition to their direct-to-consumer websites, both Skims and Good American are available at high-end department stores like Nordstrom and other select retailers.

What is Skims' return policy?

Skims typically offers a 30-day return window for unworn items with tags attached. Items marked as "final sale" are not eligible for return. Panties are a final sale due to hygiene reasons.

What is Good American's return policy?

Good American also offers a return window, usually 21 days from the date of shipment for items in new condition. Like Skims, final sale items are not returnable.