Skims vs. Spanx: Which brand is better? [2026]

Skims offers modern, fashion-forward shapewear and loungewear with an emphasis on inclusive sizing and all-day comfort, often designed to be worn as part of your outfit. Spanx, the industry pioneer, focuses on high-compression, functional shapewear engineered for maximum smoothing and durability, designed to be discreetly hidden under clothing.

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

Skims: The Modern Shapewear & Loungewear Brand

Launched by Kim Kardashian in 2019, Skims has quickly become a dominant force by blending functionality with a minimalist, trend-conscious aesthetic. The brand champions body positivity, offering an extensive range of sizes and shades. Its target customer prioritizes comfort and style, looking for versatile pieces like seamless bodysuits and loungewear that blur the lines between underwear and outerwear.

• Product mix: A wide array of bodysuits, high-waisted briefs, bras, and loungewear sets designed with seamless technology and innovative, lightweight fabrics. Many pieces are intended to be versatile enough to function as everyday clothing.
• Price point: Shapewear bottoms and bras typically range from $30 to $70. Special collections or more complex bodysuits can be priced higher. Frequent bundle deals offer good value.
• Quality & Materials: Known for its signature smoothing fabrics that are incredibly soft, lightweight, and breathable. The materials feel like a second skin, providing shaping without feeling restrictive.
• Style & Aesthetic: Features a minimalist, modern look with a palette of neutral tones designed to match various skin tones. The designs are sleek and simple, making them easy to layer or wear on their own.
• Sizing/Fit: A major differentiator, with sizes ranging from XXS to 5X. Products generally run true to size but are designed for a snug fit, some customers prefer to size up for less compression.

Skims is ideal for those seeking comfortable, stylish, and inclusive shapewear that doubles as a minimalist fashion essential for everyday wear.

Shop Skims: skims.com

Spanx: The Original Shapewear Innovator

Founded by Sara Blakely in 2000, Spanx revolutionized the industry by creating functional undergarments that delivered serious smoothing and lifting without sacrificing comfort entirely. The brand built its reputation on high-quality, durable shapewear that offers reliable compression. It has since expanded to include popular activewear, leggings, and apparel, all with the brand's shaping technology at its core.

• Product mix: Core products include high-compression body shapers, shaping briefs, camisoles, and its iconic leggings. The line focuses on targeted control for specific areas like the tummy, thighs, and rear.
• Price point: Core shapewear pieces typically cost between $25 and $60. Premium items like their activewear or specialized shapers can cost $80 or more. Sales are common, especially around major holidays.
• Quality & Materials: Renowned for durable, high-performance fabrics that provide strong compression and support. Features targeted compression zones, moisture-wicking properties, and seamless construction for longevity and effectiveness.
• Style & Aesthetic: The brand’s aesthetic is classic and utilitarian - focused on function over trends. Designs are made to be completely invisible under clothing, ensuring a smooth, seamless silhouette.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a size range from XS to 3X. Sizing is known to be consistent and reliable, giving a predictably supportive and compressive fit across its product lines.

Spanx is the go-to for shoppers who need dependable, high-compression shapewear that delivers powerful smoothing and shaping for key events or daily confidence.

Shop Spanx: spanx.com

Skims vs. Spanx Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands occupy a similar mid-range luxury price point. Core items from Spanx can be slightly more affordable at the entry-level, with prices often starting around $25. Skims' pricing is generally in the $30 to $70 range for most of its popular shapewear. Both brands offer significant discounts during sales events, making their products comparably accessible.

Skims often provides value through "build a bundle" discounts, allowing shoppers to save money on multi-buys. Spanx promotions are more traditional, with sitewide markdowns during key shopping seasons. Ultimately, neither brand is significantly cheaper than the other for similar items.

Quality & Materials

The brands diverge significantly here. Skims' success is built on its light, buttery-soft, breathable fabrics that mold to the body. This focus on comfort makes it perfect for long hours of wear without feeling constricted. It provides "smoothing" more than intense "shaping."

Spanx, conversely, is famous for its durable, high-compression performance fabrics. Its material feels more robust and is engineered with targeted compression zones to specifically sculpt areas like the stomach and thighs. If you need powerful shaping and are willing to accept a more compressive feel, Spanx's materials are engineered for higher performance.

Style & Aesthetic

Skims is designed with a fashion-forward, minimalist aesthetic. With its neutral, skin-tone "nude" palette and sleek designs, many of its bodysuits and tops are intended to be visible fashion pieces. It's shapewear as style.

Spanx maintains a more functional, classic approach. Its designs prioritize being completely invisible under other clothing. The aesthetic is utilitarian - you won't often find a Spanx bodysuit intended to be worn as your only top. It’s strictly an undergarment solution.

Fit & Sizing

Skims is the clear leader in inclusivity, offering an unmatched size range from XXS to 5X. This commitment ensures that a much broader range of body types can find a proper fit. The fit is true to size but very snug by design.

Spanx has expanded its sizing over the years and now offers XS to 3X, which covers a good range but falls short of Skims' offerings. Its sizing is known for being extremely consistent and reliable within its range, which customers have trusted for years.

Shopping Experience

Both brands offer excellent, user-friendly online shopping experiences. The Skims website is sleek, modern, and highly visual, aligning with its fashion-brand identity. It features diverse models and clear styling suggestions, making it easy to envision the products.

The Spanx website is more practical and informational. It provides detailed descriptions of compression levels, fit guides, and product reviews to help customers make functional decisions based on their shaping needs.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to why you're buying shapewear. Both brands are leaders in the market but serve distinct purposes.

Choose Skims if:

• You prioritize all-day comfort and a soft, barely-there feel.
• Inclusive sizing is important, as you need a larger or smaller size than typically offered.
• You want versatile pieces that can be styled as tops or layered into your daily outfits.
• Your goal is gentle smoothing rather than aggressive slimming and compression.

Choose Spanx if:

• You need powerful, targeted compression for a specific event or to feel held in.
• Product durability and long-term shaping performance are your top priorities.
• You want a proven, traditional shapewear solution that remains completely invisible under clothing.
• You’re looking for reliable, high-performance leggings or activewear with built-in shaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skims or Spanx cheaper?

Their prices are very comparable. Spanx's entry-level products are sometimes a few dollars cheaper, but core items from both brands fall within a similar $25-$70 price range. Both frequently hold sales that offer significant savings.

Which has better compression?

Spanx has better and stronger compression. Its products are engineered with targeted zones and more robust fabrics to provide a higher level of shaping and control, making it the better choice for formal events or when you need maximum sculpting.

Which brand is more comfortable?

Skims is widely considered more comfortable for everyday, all-day wear. Its fabrics are softer, lighter, and more breathable, providing a smoothing effect without feeling as restrictive as traditional shapewear.

Does Skims run small?

Skims generally runs true to size, but its products are designed to deliver a very snug, body-hugging fit. If you are between sizes or prefer a less compressive feel, consider sizing up.

Does Spanx roll down?

Spanx designs its high-waisted shapers with features like no-slip strips and supportive boning to prevent rolling down. As long as you purchase the correct size, rolling is generally not an issue.

Which is better for plus-size?

Skims is more inclusive for plus-size customers, with a standard size range that goes up to 5X across most of its styles. While Spanx offers sizes up to 3X, Skims provides more options for a wider range of bodies.

Can you wear Skims as regular clothes?

Yes, many Skims designs, especially their bodysuits, tops, and dresses, are created with a minimalist aesthetic perfect for being worn as everyday fashion items.

Are Spanx's Faux Leather Leggings good?

Yes, the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings are an iconic, best-selling product. They are loved for their flattering fit that combines the comfort of a legging with the look of leather pants and built-in shaping technology for the tummy and rear.