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

Skims is known for its modern, trend-focused shapewear and loungewear with a minimalist aesthetic and exceptionally inclusive sizing, while ThirdLove specializes in providing a perfect, comfortable fit for everyday bras and underwear using a detailed sizing system that includes half-cups. Skims focuses on sculpting and style, whereas ThirdLove prioritizes personalized fit and long-term support.

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

Skims: The Modern Shapewear & Loungewear Innovator

Founded by Kim Kardashian in 2019, Skims quickly became a major player in the undergarments space by focusing on body positivity and a modern, minimalist vibe. The brand's target customer wants versatile, comfortable, and stylish pieces that can serve as foundations or be worn on their own. Skims is known for its buttery-soft fabrics, neutral color palettes, and a viral social media presence that connects with a wide audience.

• Product mix: Extensive collection of shapewear, seamless bras, bodysuits, minimalist underwear, and a massive range of loungewear including hoodies, joggers, and dresses.
• Price point: Underwear and bras range from $20 to $80, while signature shapewear and loungewear pieces cost between $30 and $150.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes innovative, stretchy nylon-spandex blends that feel lightweight while offering compressive support. Many collections are seamless, designed to disappear under clothing.
• Sizing/Fit: A major strength of the brand, offering sizes from XXS to 5X to cater to a very broad range of body types. The fit is designed to hug and contour the body.
• Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist. Focuses on neutral and muted tones that are easy to mix and match or wear as a complete set.
• Return policy: Standard return policy that allows for trying items at home, with a focus on an easy online process.

Skims is the go-to for shoppers seeking trendy, versatile shapewear and loungewear that feels comfortable enough for every day but chic enough to be part of an outfit.

Shop Skims: skims.com

ThirdLove: The Perfect Fit Specialist

Since 2013, ThirdLove has been on a mission to solve the biggest problem in intimate apparel: finding a bra that truly fits. They built their brand around comfort, support, and a highly personalized approach to sizing. ThirdLove appeals to customers who are tired of standard sizing S-M-L sizing and want high-quality essentials built to last, with a focus on function and wearability over fast-moving trends.

• Product mix: Core focus is on bras and underwear. They also offer a select range of loungewear and sleepwear designed with comfort in mind.
• Price point: Bras are typically priced between $50 and $70, with underwear ranging from $15 to $25. The pricing reflects a focus on quality, durability, and fit technology.
• Quality & Materials: Known for using premium, soft materials like memory foam cups that mold to a person's shape, smooth microfiber, and sustainable fabrics like recycled nylon.
• Sizing/Fit: ThirdLove's biggest differentiator. They offer half-cup sizes in cups A through G and band sizes from 30 to 44. Their online Fit Finder Quiz helps customers identify their precise size.
• Style: Understated, classic, and functional. Their designs are timeless and built for everyday comfort, with soft, muted color palettes.
• Return policy: A very generous 60-day "try before you buy" return policy, which allows customers to wear and wash bras to ensure a perfect fit.

ThirdLove excels for those who prioritize a comfortable, precise, and supportive fit in their everyday bras and underwear above all else.

Shop ThirdLove: thirdlove.com

Skims vs. ThirdLove Comparison

Price Comparison

Skims has a broader price range that reflects its diverse product offering. You can find underwear for around $20, but premium shapewear bodysuits can go up to $150. The brand often runs sales and offers bundles for better value. Its positioning is as an accessible luxury, blending everyday prices with more premium items.

ThirdLove's pricing is more focused and consistent, with most of their signature bras falling in the $50-$70 range. While the initial cost may seem higher than some basics, the value comes from the personalized fit, durable materials, and longevity of the pieces. They provide high-quality essentials designed to be worn for years.

Quality & Materials

Skims is praised for its incredibly soft and stretchy materials. The brand uses innovative nylon and spandex blends that feel like a second skin, offering everything from light smoothing to strong compression depending on the garment. The focus is on a seamless, technical feel that sculpts the body.

ThirdLove's approach to materials centers on comfort for prolonged wear. They are famous for their memory foam cups that contour to your shape, soft Pima cotton, and smooth microfibers that don't dig or chafe. The construction is solid, focusing on durability to withstand regular washing and wearing.

Product Selection

Skims offers a much wider variety of products beyond traditional undergarments. While they have excellent bras and underwear, their main attraction is an extensive line of shapewear, bodysuits, loungewear, sleepwear, and even some swimwear. It's a full lifestyle brand built on comfort and style.

ThirdLove remains narrowly focused on what they do best: bras and underwear. Their product catalogue is less about fashion trends and more about providing a perfect fit in a range of essential styles like t-shirt bras, unlined bras, and wireless options. Their loungewear selection is curated for comfort, not necessarily for wearing out.

Fit & Sizing

This is the most critical point of comparison. Skims addresses fit through size inclusivity, offering a wide XXS to 5X range. This caters to a huge spectrum of body shapes and sizes, ensuring almost everyone can find a comfortable fit in their loungewear and bodysuits.

In contrast, ThirdLove tackles fit with precision, especially for bras. Their revolutionary use of half-cup sizes is designed for people who fall between traditional cup sizes and can never find the right fit. Their online fit quiz helps dial in the exact measurements for a near-custom experience, but their overall clothing size range is less expansive than Skims'.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are making progress in sustainability. ThirdLove has a more established reputation in this area, openly highlighting its use of recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging, and ethical manufacturing with certifications like OEKO-TEX.

Skims, as a younger brand, has started incorporating recycled fabrics and minimizing its environmental footprint. While they state a commitment to ethical standards, ThirdLove is currently more transparent about its specific initiatives and supply chain practices.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends entirely on your primary needs and style preferences. Both brands create excellent products, but they serve two very different goals.

Choose Skims if:

• You want trendy, minimalist loungewear and bodysuits you can style as part of an outfit.
• You're looking for modern shapewear that sculpts and smooths under clothing.
• An expansive size range from XXS to 5X is important to you.
• You appreciate a neutral color palette and the buttery soft, second-skin feel in your fabrics.

Choose ThirdLove if:

• Finding a perfectly fitting, comfortable bra is your number one priority.
• You've struggled with standard bra sizes and think you might be a half-size.
• You value long-lasting quality and durability in your everyday essentials.
• You prefer classic, functional styles over temporary fashion trends and appreciate a generous return policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skims or ThirdLove cheaper?

It depends on the product. Skims offers some underwear at a lower price point than ThirdLove, but its signature shapewear and loungewear items can be more expensive than a ThirdLove bra. ThirdLove's bras are priced consistently around $50-$70, which is a mid-range price point focused on quality and fit.

Which brand is better for bras?

ThirdLove is generally considered better for everyday bras due to their pinpoint focus on fit, including half-cup sizes and foam cups that mold to your body. Skims offers very comfortable and stylish bralettes and seamless options, but ThirdLove's specialty is engineered support and perfect sizing.

Does Skims or ThirdLove have better sizing?

They are better in different ways. Skims has better size inclusivity across its entire range, from XXS to 5X, accommodating a wider variety of body types. ThirdLove has more precise sizing where it matters most - in bras - with its specific half-cup system.

Which brand has higher quality materials?

Both use high-quality materials, but for different purposes. Skims excels with innovative, soft, and compressive tech fabrics for shaping and a sleek feel. ThirdLove focuses on premium materials known for comfort and durability, such as memory foam and smooth microfiber for long-term wear.

What is the main difference between Skims' and ThirdLove's style?

Skims' style is modern, minimalist, and trend-aware, often with a celebrity-endorsed appeal. ThirdLove's style is classic, functional, and timeless, prioritizing everyday comfort over fashion statements.

Which brand is better for plus-size options?

Skims is better for plus-size clothing and loungewear, thanks to its XXS-5X range. For bras specifically, ThirdLove offers an extensive range of band and cup sizes that cater to many plus-sized women, but Skims' overall sizing feels more intentionally expansive across all categories.

What are the return policies for Skims and ThirdLove?

ThirdLove has one of the best return policies in the industry, offering a 60-day fit guarantee that allows you to wear and wash items to ensure you love them. Skims offers a more standard return window for unworn items with tags attached.

Is Skims just shapewear?

No. While shapewear was its launch focus, Skims has expanded into a full lifestyle brand with a huge selection of loungewear, bras, underwear, sleepwear, and bodysuits that are worn for comfort and fashion, not just for shaping.