I tried Kim Kardashian's solutionwear brand, Skims, and this is my honest review
From holding-in leggings to push-up bras and hip hugging pants, I love the cocooning safety net that you get from the best shapewear. I also love Kim Kardashian, and have followed her every move since she burst onto our TV screens in 2007. So, you can imagine how happy I was when she launched SKIMS, her ‘solutionwear’ brand, back in 2019 - and how frenzied I was when it became available in the UK for the first time at Selfridges last month.
I set an alarm. I refreshed my screen relentlessly until the launch was live. I knew what I wanted, having studied the range extensively beforehand, and was a woman on a mission. I chose the Mid Thigh Sculpting Bodysuit for a full-body fix, and the Core Control Thong to smooth the silhouette of my hips and bum (this is my perceived problem area).
The signature SKIMS boxes arrived. I tore them open... and I burst out laughing. The bodysuit looked like it would barely fit on a teddy bear. I held it up against my shoulders and it fell to my navel. How was I supposed to get in it? The fabric felt so thick and stiff, would it really be able to stretch that much?
Sure enough, with a fair amount of wriggling, I made it in. And the results were as promised - a smooth, contoured, supported silhouette. The fabric is strong, so you can rely on it for ultimate compression, yet the seams didn’t dig in at all (a real bugbear of mine is when shapewear seams cut off circulation and leave the skin bulging out the sides).
My only complaint is that there’s no ‘pee-hole’. This is a feature Kim has added into her more recent designs, so sadly the Sculpting Bodysuit doesn’t feature it. It means that I would only wear the bodysuit for a very short time or a very special occasion, due to the simple inconvenience of having to squeeze in and out of it every time I needed a wee. If it had a pee hole, I expect I would never take it off.
Outside of the Mid Thigh Bodysuit, it's worth noting that the entire collection is designed with every body and skin tone in mind. In fact, there are nine different tonal hues available across the collection, and all of the pieces are available in sizes from XXS to 5XL. Far from frumpy or old-fashioned, Skims is a whole new take on shapewear, encompassing everything from triangle bras and thongs to full blown bodies, slip dresses and high-waisted shorts. The pieces are designed to boost confidence, flatter every curve and lift breasts.
Today, SKIMS launches on Net A Porter. I've already placed an order for the Fits Everybody Triangle Bra. Unlike other wireless bras, I'm hoping this one has the same incredible support as the bodysuit and thong while retaining the same level of comfort, making it the perfect addition to my working-from-home wardrobe.
Where can I buy SKIMS shapewear in the UK?
Skims is now available in the UK at Selfridges and Net-A-Porter. You can also buy direct from the SKIMS website, where you'll find a whole lot of choice, but the shipping costs may be more.
Here's our full pick of the best pieces from the Skims collection.
Skims Review: the bodysuit
Skims Review: the high-leg shorts
Skims Review: the briefs
Skims Review: the plunge bra
Skims Review: the slip dress
Skims Review: the loungewear trousers
Skims Review: the dressing gown
Skims Review: the high-waist thong
Skims Review: the triangle bra
Skims Review: the control thong
Skims Review: the mis-waist briefs
Skims Review: the shorts
Skims Review: the mid-thigh shorts
Skims Review: the plunge bra
