Skims vs Spanx: what people say

Skims

Skims draws strong praise for shapewear that genuinely flatters, a bodysuit people call the best they've tried, and a NikeSkims campaign with Lisa that fans rewatch and share. The loudest problem by far is the advent calendar, widely seen as an overpriced scam full of cheap leftovers with no core shapewear inside. Quality complaints recur too: sheer fabric, pilling, holes, and prices that feel like brand markup. Beauty and skincare launches read as cash grabs to many, and Kardashian fatigue drives some to swear off buying. Surprising: even harsh critics admit the dress and bodysuit have no good dupe, and shoppers keep asking for exact product names and sizes.

Spanx

Spanx is loved for comfort, smoothing and quality that lasts, and tall shoppers and travelers are especially loyal. The biggest problems are shapewear that rolls down, Air Essentials fabric that pills or has changed to feel plasticky, and pieces that run hot or need fussy care. Shoppers repeatedly compare Spanx with Skims, which many see as younger and fresher, and with cheaper dupes and Colombian fajas. A surprising number of people use Spanx for sensory comfort or back pain rather than shaping, and many ask for real compression for POTS or diastasis recti.

Skims

1. the bodysuit looks amazing, flatters the body and is called the best ever 75 mentions

   • Hottie!! TikTok · 1 likes under a 7K-view post: worth it #skims #bodysuit #shapewear #lace #fashion

2. the Lisa NikeSkims campaign is praised as a stunning, rewatchable masterpiece 41 mentions

   • I need 1 hour of this 🔥🔥🔥 YouTube · 3,700 likes under a 1.5M-view post: LISA x NikeSKIMS Spring `26 Collection | Nike

3. honest try-on reviews are appreciated for accuracy and showing different body types 11 mentions

   • "my ass looks good but that's because my ass IS good" I love these queens ⏳ YouTube · 1,700 likes under a 256K-view post: *HONEST* Skims try-on: Is this actually worth the HYPE?

Spanx

1. Tall women love the tall-length leggings and the color match 6 mentions

   • Spanx is my secret place for tall girl purchases…you can take this down now [Laugh approved] TikTok · 10 likes under a 12K-view post: I linked them in my shopmy 💗 @SPANX #tallgirl #tallgirlleggings #notsponsored

2. Booty Boost leggings and the quarter-zip outfit get compliments for style 6 mentions

   • This is soooo cute!!!! TikTok · 1 likes under a 484-view post: Minimal style, maximum confidence. 🖤✨ The SPANXshape® Booty Boost® leggings + SPANX quart…

3. Spanx shapewear is comfortable, breathable and worth the price 5 mentions

   • I don't have a cheap alt but wanted to say Spanx are absolutely worth the money in my opinion. They are breathable and comfortable. Reddit · 24 likes under a post: r/Frugal: Affordable shapewear dupes for Spanx/Skims?

Skims

1. the $148-$300 advent calendar is a scam full of cheap junk and leftover inventory 40 mentions

   • Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand SKIMS offers refunds or store credit amid backlash over $148 advent calendar filled with 'junk'. Reddit · 5,813 likes under a post: r/entertainment

2. the Kardashians are unethical and people should stop giving them money 24 mentions

   • People just really need to stop giving the Kardashians money. Otherwise they'll continue to get stuff like this. No effort and cheap stuff for expensive prices. YouTube · 3,300 likes under a 466K-view post: The $300 Skims Advent Calendar Is A SCAM...

3. Skims beauty and skincare launches feel like inauthentic cash grabs 22 mentions

   • "stop trying to make skims happen" YouTube · 136 likes under a 222K-view post: SKIMS Beauty Is Coming…Has Kim Kardashian Learnt Nothing? 🙃

Spanx

1. Fabric is not breathable and gets hot; hard to pull on and makes you sweat 3 mentions

   • The pieces are very forgiving and heavier than I expected, but also not particularly breathable - something to consider if it's hot where you are or you easily overheat. You must to wash them on gentle and hang dry or they pill like crazy. TL;DR: They're nice enough but (IMO) fus… Reddit · 42 likes under a post: r/fashionwomens35: Spanx - outfits worth it?

2. Air Essentials fabric pills and pulls after little wear 2 mentions

   • I’ll be the dissenting voice here and say I haven’t been impressed with the quality. I have an Air Essentials set and while they look nice and drape well, my pants have experienced pilling and pulling on the front and back of the legs after not much wear. I only wear these pieces… Reddit · 15 likes under a post: r/fashionwomens35: Spanx - outfits worth it?

3. Recent Air Essentials fabric changed and feels plasticky and itchy 2 mentions

   • Talbots has a very plastic feel to the fabric. I’m currently very conflicted about Spanx Air Essentials. I have quite a few pieces from 1-3 years back. They are very soft. The fabric has a soft finish. Very forgiving instant outfit gratification. My resent order arrived and the f… Reddit · 8 likes under a post: r/fashionwomens35: Spanx - outfits worth it?

Skims

1. compared with Spanx on price, compression and style, with Spanx often called superior value 8 mentions

   • Affordable shapewear dupes for Spanx/Skims?. I (34f) have a few weddings coming up this summer and Is tarted looking into shapewear for the first time. Spanx and Skims were the big guys I kept hearing about so started there but WOW those prices caught me off guard. $80+?? For sho… Reddit · 60 likes under a post: r/Frugal

2. cheaper alternatives cited: Maidenform, TJ Maxx, Colombian fajas, Jockey, Shapermint, Honeylove, ASOS, Popilush 4 mentions

   • I’m never going back!! #shapewear #skimsdupe #skimsreview #bodycon TikTok

3. Skims beauty compared to Rhode, Makeup by Mario and Skkn by Kim 3 mentions

   • she probably thinks rebranding her beauty lines under the Skims name will make them more successful when the thing is no one cares to buy makeup and skincare from Kim, as much as I don’t care about Kim, she’s a fashion girl, ppl care about the clothes and the ethos of the brand, … YouTube · 30 likes under a 222K-view post: SKIMS Beauty Is Coming…Has Kim Kardashian Learnt Nothing? 🙃

Spanx

1. Jelliebend preferred for real compression over Spanx/Skims/Shapermint 4 mentions

   • If you’re going for maximum compression I’d go for something more medically made. I really like the jelliebend JellieBody. Reddit · 4 likes under a post: r/POTS: Spanx vs Skims vs Shapermint for compression

2. Maidenform and discount stores as cheaper alternatives 3 mentions

   • I found some Maidenform shape wear reduced at Kohls that was decent. Also try places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc. Reddit · 18 likes under a post: r/Frugal: Affordable shapewear dupes for Spanx/Skims?

3. Old Navy Dynamic Fleece wears better and is cheaper than Spanx Air Essentials 2 mentions

   • I’ll be the dissenting voice here and say I haven’t been impressed with the quality. I have an Air Essentials set and while they look nice and drape well, my pants have experienced pilling and pulling on the front and back of the legs after not much wear. I only wear these pieces… Reddit · 15 likes under a post: r/fashionwomens35: Spanx - outfits worth it?