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Three Daily Beast Staffers Try Kim Kardashian’s Skims—With Mixed Reviews

Kim K.’s shapewear line has a cult following, but does it live up to the hype?

Skims

By Emily Levin, Mia Maguire & Erica RadolNov 01, 2022

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Known for its range of every-body-friendly colors and sizing, Skims, the shapewear and intimate label founded by Kim Kardashian, has amassed a huge following since it launched in 2019. Three The Daily Beast staffers try out the seamless sculpt, cotton rib, and fits everybody lines of body-shaping undergarments in the name of bringing our readers an unvarnished alternative to sucking it in.

Emily:

I’m a certified Fat Woman™, so my number one shapewear concern is if they’ll stay put–my curves make tight clothes roll up and settle into folds like they’re hibernating for winter.

On this metric, the Skims didn’t blow me away–when I wore a set out for brunch and a show, the bralette band proved no match for my powerful underboob and the mid-rise shaping panty settled into my waist canyon with no intention of moving. That said, even though they succumbed to the roll, both were very comfortable. I forgot I was wearing shapewear: honest, no BS. And the bralette provided a decent amount of lift and separation, something I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced a bralette accomplishing before.

Skims are also sexy–like genuinely, understatedly sexy. It reminded me of that scene from Bridget Jones–ugly shaping garments make you look good (until clothes come off) while “tiny knickers” do your outfit no favors (but make a statement when finally revealed). Skims are, in this way, a revelation: structural garments that shine in the spotlight.

Skims

$32

Sculpting Bralette

Skims

$32

Sculpting Mid-Waist Brief

Skims

Erica:

Oooh, that’s how the Kardashian women look cute in skinny clothes, they wear stretchy underwear one size too small! Just kidding—kind of. If you choose your regular size, they fit quite snugly (the brand recommends sizing up for everyday wear). Skims shapewear looks sexy, while giving better shape to your bits. Unfortunately for me, I found myself pulling at the bra and undies as they crept into places undergarments should not go. The bralette had a minimizing, rather than lifting, effect.

The pieces look chic, but didn’t inspire the same love and devotion I have for Skims' Soft Lounge line and cotton underwear. The Soft Lounge line is the most delectably comfortable yet stunningly pretty line of loungewear (that won’t look like PJs if you venture out). I’d own body-hugging dresses in every style and shade without shame. Obviously, there’s a market for all of these affordable pieces, since they sell out often, and quickly. The drops are playful and unique, so though I’ve never watched an episode of KUWTK, I devotedly watch the Skims website for new pieces to covet.

Skims

$18

Fits Everybody Panties

Skims

$88

SOFT LOUNGE LONG SLIP DRESS

Skims

Mia:

I definitely echo my colleagues’ note that most of the shapewear and underwear items I’ve tried from Skims do run small—though I found that the brand’s soft lounge collection is pretty true-to-size and extra stretchy. After becoming obsessed with the cult-favorite (and perpetually sold-out) Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress (I even convinced Erica to buy it!), I decided to give Skims’ panties and shapewear a test drive. I tested two pairs of the shapewear shorts, one with strong support (i.e. high compression) and one with light support (they also offer an ultra light support option).

The strong support shorts certainly snatched my tummy and thighs like a dream, and while I wouldn’t exactly say they were comfortable, they didn’t roll down or cut off my circulation. As I expected, the mid-support was less snatching, but a bit more comfortable. Ultimately, I would opt for the strong support for a special event or an extra slinky dress, while the mid-support shorts are better for every day.

Now Skims underwear truly impressed me. I never dreamed of finding underwear that feels like nothing (in a good way), but actually looks sexy. The Fits Everybody Brief is hands-down the most comfortable pair of underwear I have ever worn in my life. Even Kim K, who admitted to not wearing underwear before Skims, said that she wears these almost daily on a recent episode of The Kardashians. I also have a couple of pairs of the Cotton Rib Brief, which I find pretty sexy, though certainly not as comfortable as The Fits Everybody. I recommend sizing up for the cotton panties collection if you’re in between sizes. Honestly, I haven’t tried a single item from Skims that hasn’t genuinely impressed me, though the Soft Lounge Dress will always reign supreme.