Spanx vs. Skims Underwear: Which brand should you buy?

Spanx is known for durable, high-performance underwear that offers firm shaping and support, often with a more compressive feel. In contrast, Skims prioritizes all-day comfort, seamless invisibility, and an extensive range of skin-tone shades, using softer, stretchier fabrics that mold to the body.

Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right underwear for your needs.

Spanx: The Original in Shaping & Support

Founded in 2000, Spanx built its reputation on creating innovative shapewear that smooths, lifts, and supports. Their underwear line extends this philosophy, integrating reliable shaping technology into comfortable, everyday designs. The typical Spanx customer is looking for functional, high-quality undergarments that provide a sleek silhouette under any outfit, from office wear to evening dresses.

• Product mix: Features styles with integrated shaping, including high-waisted briefs, seamless panties, and control shorts designed for varying levels of tummy control and smoothing.
• Price point: Generally ranges from $20 to $50 per pair. A premium price for high-performance shaping and durable materials.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes durable fabrics like nylon and elastane engineered for firm support and longevity. The construction is focused on holding you in without sacrificing too much comfort.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing runs from XS to 3X and is typically true to size, but expect a compressive fit designed for shaping. Always consult their size chart for the best results.
• Style & Aesthetic: The collection is minimalist and functional, offered primarily in neutral tones like black, white, and beige. The look is classic, sleek, and focused on function over trends.
• Return policy: Typically offers a 30-day return window for unworn items with tags attached, making it easy to find the perfect fit.

Spanx is the go-to for shoppers who prioritize noticeable shaping, firm control, and durable construction in their underwear.

Shop Spanx: spanx.com

Skims: The Leader in Comfort & Inclusivity

Launched in 2019 by Kim Kardashian, Skims stormed the market with its focus on comfort, inclusivity, and body positivity. The brand offers solutions for every body type and skin tone, with fabrics that feel like a second skin. Its underwear is designed for an ultra-comfortable, seamless fit that disappears under clothing, making it popular for everyday wear.

• Product mix: Offers a wide variety of cuts, including briefs, thongs, boyshorts, and high-waisted options across numerous collections like "Fits Everybody" and "Cotton Rib."
• Price point: Typically priced between $18 and $40, positioning it as an accessible luxury option with frequent bundle deals and sales.
• Quality & Materials: Known for innovative, lightweight, and incredibly soft fabrics that offer impressive stretch and recovery. The emphasis is on comfort and a smooth, invisible finish.
• Sizing/Fit: Highly inclusive, with sizes ranging from XXS to 4X. The fit is true to size but prioritizes a flexible, body-molding feel over compression.
• Style & Aesthetic: Sleek, modern, and minimalist. Skims is famous for its extensive palette of neutral and skin-tone shades, ensuring an exact color match for nearly everyone.
• Return policy: Maintains a standard 30-day return policy for items that are unworn and in their original condition.

Skims is the ideal choice for those who want buttery-soft fabrics, a barely-there feel, inclusive sizing, and a perfect skin-tone match.

Shop Skims: skims.com

Spanx vs. Skims Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands occupy a similar mid-range, premium price point. Skims is often slightly more accessible, with core underwear styles starting at $18, while Spanx pairs typically start around $20. A single pair of high-waisted shaping briefs from Spanx might cost $38, whereas a similar style from Skims could be around $32.

Skims runs site-wide sales and offers bundle-and-save options more frequently, which can bring the price-per-pair down significantly. Spanx also offers sales, but they are often tied to major holiday events. Ultimately, the cost is comparable, but Skims provides more opportunities for discounts.

Quality & Materials

This is a key point of difference. Spanx uses high-quality, robust fabrics with a higher percentage of spandex/elastane to provide firm, compressive support. The materials are engineered for durability and maintaining their shaping properties over many washes. They feel secure and supportive.

Skims focuses on innovative, soft-touch fabrics that offer extreme stretch and a lightweight feel. Their popular "Fits Everybody" collection uses a nylon-spandex blend that feels buttery soft and stretches to twice its size without losing shape. Skims prioritizes a flexible, "second-skin" comfort, while Spanx prioritizes structured support.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands are celebrated for their inclusive size ranges. Skims edges out Spanx with sizes from XXS to 4X, compared to Spanx’s XS to 3X. Both brands generally run true to size, but the intended fit is very different and crucial to understand before buying.

A medium in a Spanx shaping brief will feel noticeably snug and compressive because it is designed to hold you in place. A medium in a Skims brief will mold to your body with a gentle hug and a focus on flexible comfort. If you are between sizes, you might size up in a shaping Spanx item but stay true to size for a Skims product.

Product Selection & Style

Spanx has a functional, minimalist aesthetic. Their core offerings are designed as problem-solvers for creating a smooth foundation under clothes. Their color palette is classic, with a heavy focus on black, beige, and other core neutrals.

Skims built its brand on aesthetic appeal just as much as function. The brand is known for its wide spectrum of skin-tone nudes, seasonal color drops, and modern, often trend-setting, designs. While Spanx focuses on what an undergarment does, Skims focuses equally on how it makes you feel and its visible appeal.

Shopping Experience

Both brands offer intuitive online shopping experiences with detailed size charts and customer photos. Skims' website feels more modern and heavily features user-generated content, reinforcing its community and diversity message. It effectively showcases how products look on a wide variety of body types.

Both Spanx and Skims can be found in department stores like Nordstrom, allowing customers to see and feel the products in person. Returns are straightforward for both brands, with typical 30-day windows for unworn merchandise.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand really depends on what you value most in your underwear: targeted shaping or everyday comfort.

Choose Spanx if:

• You're looking for firm shaping and reliable tummy control.
• Durability and long-lasting support are your top priorities.
• You want a secure, compressive feel to create a smooth silhouette under structured outfits.
• You need a proven solution for a special event or form-fitting dress.

Choose Skims if:

• All-day comfort and a soft, "barely-there" feeling are essential.
• You need underwear that is seamless and invisible, even under thin or tight fabrics.
• Finding the perfect skin-tone match matters to you.
• You prefer modern, minimalist styles and an extensive, inclusive size range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spanx or Skims cheaper?

Skims is slightly more affordable on average, with individual items starting at $18, compared to Spanx at around $20. Skims also offers more frequent sales and bundle promotions, often making it more budget-friendly.

Which is better for shaping and tummy control?

Spanx is superior for significant shaping and firm tummy control. Its fabrics are specifically engineered for compression and a "held-in" feeling, whereas most Skims collections focus on light smoothing and comfort.

Does Skims underwear roll down?

When properly sized, Skims underwear is designed to stay in place without rolling, thanks to its soft, wide waistbands and flexible fabric. Rolling is most often an issue of selecting the wrong size, so following their size guide is important.

Is Skims or Spanx more comfortable?

For everyday, all-day wear, most people find Skims to be more comfortable. Its fabrics are softer, lighter, and less restrictive than the more compressive and supportive materials used by Spanx.

Do Spanx and Skims run true to size?

Yes, both brands generally run true to size. However, the fit is intentionally different: Spanx is meant to be compressive and snug, while Skims is designed to be soft and flexible. Always check the brand-specific size chart before ordering.

Which brand has better sizing options?

Skims offers a wider size range, from XXS to 4X, making it one of the most inclusive brands on the market. Spanx also offers a good range, from XS to 3X.

Can you wear Skims as everyday underwear?

Absolutely. Many of Skims' most popular collections, like "Fits Everybody," are specifically designed for maximum comfort and are ideal for everyday wear, not just for shaping.

Where can I buy Spanx and Skims?

Both brands sell directly from their official websites. They are also available at major retailers, most notably at department stores like Nordstrom and Selfridges.