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

Wolford is a luxury brand best known for its exceptionally durable, high-end hosiery and timeless bodysuits, representing a significant investment in classic style. In contrast, Skims offers trendy, accessible, and comfortable shapewear and loungewear with a strong focus on size inclusivity and a much lower price point.

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

Wolford: The Epitome of Luxury Hosiery

Established in 1950, Wolford is an Austrian heritage brand synonymous with luxury, quality, and minimalist elegance. Their target customer values longevity and superior craftsmanship, seeking timeless essentials like sheer tights and shaping bodysuits that are built to last for years. The brand's aesthetic is sophisticated and refined, focusing on neutral tones and sleek silhouettes that elevate any outfit.

• Product mix: Primarily hosiery, bodysuits, lingerie, and activewear. Wolford is the go-to for foundational garments designed with innovative textiles for a flawless fit.
• Price point: Luxury. Expect to pay $50-$70 for a pair of their famous tights and anywhere from $150 to over $300 for a bodysuit.
• Quality: Exceptional. The brand uses premium materials like fine nylon, elastane, and silk blends, resulting in products known for their resistance to runs and tears. The seamless construction provides unmatched comfort and durability.
• Sizing/Fit: Uses standard European sizing, typically S-XL. Products generally run true to size but offer a snug, compressive fit designed to smooth and shape.
• Sustainability: A core part of the brand's identity, Wolford emphasizes responsible sourcing, eco-conscious manufacturing practices, and transparency in their production process.

Wolford provides true investment pieces, their products are designed for consumers who see wardrobe basics as long-term additions that offer superior performance and a touch of luxury.

Shop Wolford: wolford.com

Skims: The Leader in Inclusive Shapewear

Launched in 2019 by Kim Kardashian, Skims stormed the market by offering comfortable, functional shapewear and basics for a wide range of body types. The brand is built on a foundation of body positivity and inclusivity, appealing to a broad demographic looking for modern, versatile pieces that enhance natural curves. Its aesthetic is minimalist and on-trend, with an extensive palette of neutral, pastel, and bold colors.

• Product mix: Extensive range including seamless shapewear, bras, underwear, loungewear, and sleepwear. Skims is known for its incredibly soft, stretchy, and innovative fabrics.
• Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Shapewear starts around $30, while popular loungewear items generally fall between $50 and $100.
• Quality: Impressive for its price point. While not designed to last a lifetime like luxury counterparts, Skims' nylon-spandex blends offer excellent stretch, comfort, and breathability for frequent, everyday wear.
• Sizing/Fit: A major selling point. Skims offers one of the most inclusive size ranges on the market, from XXS to 4X, designed to accommodate and flatter a diverse spectrum of body shapes.
• Sales: The brand holds periodic sales and promotions online, making their already accessible prices even more attractive.

Skims is the ideal choice for those who want affordable, trend-right, and comfortable basics and shapewear available in a size that truly fits.

Shop Skims: skims.com

Wolford vs. Skims Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between Wolford and Skims is significant and reflects their different market positions. A classic Wolford bodysuit can cost over $250, while a similar style from Skims might be around $60. Wolford’s pricing is justified by its premium Austrian manufacturing, luxurious materials, and extreme durability, positioning its products as long-term investments.

Skims, on the other hand, prioritizes accessibility. With bodysuits around $50-$70 and shapewear starting at just $30, the brand allows customers to build a robust collection of functional foundations without a major financial commitment. Skims offers better entry-level value, while Wolford offers better long-term value for those who prioritize longevity.

Quality & Materials

Wolford's reputation is built on its materials. The brand uses proprietary, high-end textile blends that feel exceptionally smooth and offer remarkable resilience. Their hosiery is famously run-resistant, and their seamless bodysuits maintain their shape and compression wash after wash. This commitment to quality means a Wolford piece, with proper care, can last for many years of wear.

Skims focuses on comfort and impressive stretch with its innovative nylon and spandex fabrications. The material is very soft, breathable, and feels great against the skin, making it perfect for all-day wear. While the quality is strong for its price, Skims pieces are not manufactured with the same level of heirloom durability as Wolford and may need to be replaced sooner with heavy use.

Product Selection & Style

Wolford’s aesthetic is pure minimalist elegance. The brand sticks to timeless, classic silhouettes - the perfect sheer black tights, the sleek black bodysuit - in a predominantly neutral color palette. Their style is for creating a polished, sophisticated foundation for a professional or formal wardrobe.

Skims is modern, versatile, and trend-aware. While they are known for their vast array of nude tones to match various skin colors, they also frequently release seasonal collections in pastel, neon, and bold hues. Their selection is much larger, spanning everything from functional shapewear to cozy loungewear and sleep sets, catering to an everyday, fashion-conscious consumer.

Fit & Sizing

This is a defining difference between the two brands. Skims is a clear leader in inclusive sizing, offering a comprehensive range from XXS to 4X (and sometimes 5X). Their products are celebrated for fitting a wide variety of body types and enhancing natural curves without excessive restriction. Finding your size is made simple and reassuring.

Wolford follows a more traditional European sizing model, typically offering sizes from S to XL. Their garments are designed for a close, body-hugging fit with significant compression. While the fit is precise and effective, the range is considerably more limited than Skims, making Skims the more accessible option for a wider audience.

Sustainability & Ethics

As a long-standing European luxury brand, Wolford has well-established and transparent sustainability goals. They focus on eco-friendly manufacturing, water reduction, and innovative materials made from recycled fibers. This has been a key focus of their brand messaging for many years.

Skims, as a younger company, is still developing its sustainability strategy. While they have incorporated some eco-friendly practices, like using recycled materials in certain lines and reducing packaging waste, their efforts are not as mature or central to their brand identity as Wolford's.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands excel in their categories, but they serve very different needs and priorities.

Choose Wolford if you...

• Prioritize immaculate craftsmanship and are willing to invest in pieces that will last for years.
• Need highly durable hosiery or a sophisticated bodysuit for a professional or formal wardrobe.
• Prefer a timeless, classic, and understated aesthetic.
• Are seeking pieces with superior smoothing and shaping compression.

Choose Skims if you...

• Need comfortable, effective shapewear or basics for everyday wear.
• Struggle to find your size with other brands and value true size inclusivity.
• Are conscious of budget and want the best quality for a reasonable price.
• Are looking for a wide variety of colors and styles to match your personal wardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wolford or Skims more expensive?

Wolford is significantly more expensive. As a luxury brand, its tights can cost $50-$70, and bodysuits can exceed $300. Skims is a mid-range brand, with similar items costing roughly one-fourth of the price of Wolford's.

Which brand is better quality?

Wolford is recognized for having superior quality in terms of raw materials, manufacturing precision, and long-term durability. However, Skims offers excellent quality for its price point, prioritizing softness, stretch, and everyday comfort.

Which is better for shapewear?

Skims is generally considered better for everyday shapewear. It offers a much wider variety of styles, compression levels, and sizes designed to solve specific wardrobe challenges. Wolford offers excellent shaping products, but their focus is more on seamless luxury basics rather than solution-based shapewear.

Which has better sizing?

Skims has a much better and more inclusive size range, offering products from XXS to 4X. This makes it far more accessible for a diverse range of body types compared to Wolford's standard S-XL sizing.

Are Wolford tights worth the money?

For those who wear stockings frequently for professional or formal occasions, many agree that Wolford tights are worth the investment. Their incredible resistance to snagging and running means one pair can outlast many cheaper pairs, saving money and hassle over time.

Does Skims run true to size?

Yes, Skims is widely reported to run true to size. Due to the high-stretch material, there is some flexibility, but the company provides a detailed size guide to help you find the best fit for your measurements.

Is Wolford considered a luxury brand?

Yes, Wolford is definitely a luxury brand. It is sold in high-end department stores alongside other designer labels and is known for its uncompromising quality, premium materials, and high price tag.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Wolford has a more established and comprehensive sustainability program, which is a core part of its brand identity. It focuses on eco-conscious production and responsibly sourced materials. Skims is incorporating sustainable practices but is at an earlier stage in its journey.