The Strategist Guide to Shopping at Skims

Strategistcontributor Rio Viera-Newton“simply couldn’t resist” buying the brand’s scoop-neck bra because so many of her bra-snob friends vouched for its combination of ample support and extreme comfort. She describes it as a “superspecial, dreamy bra” since it’s “totally wireless, incredibly supportive, and great for loafing around the house.” We’ve since named it one of the bestwireless brasand one of the best scoop-neckwireless bras for large breasts, in part because it comes in one of the largest size ranges we’ve seen: XXS to 5X. The bra is so good, in fact, that Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst now owns eight of them.

When Strategist writer Lauren Rowanted to feel cute during her second pregnancy, she would turn to her Skims bras, which she reports are “well made, have a really nice hand-feel to them, are supportive, and are quite sexy for being minimal in design.” She recommends sizing up when using the bras asmaternity clothes.

When we spoke to Claudia Soare, president of the makeup brand Anastasia Beverly Hills, about thethings she can’t live without, the Skims Cotton Jersey T-shirt was at the top of her list. A fan of Skims’s basics, Soare especially likes the shirt’s quality and fit. “It stays perfectly stretchy and doesn’t get loose around your waist after wearing it for a while. It stays tight and doesn’t shrink either … This is just the perfect cut. I look really cute in it, and it can be dressed up or dressed down,” she says.

Like Soare’s Skims jersey tee, this one is stretchy — and became a favorite ofCampbell “Pookie” Puckettduring her pregnancy. “They have different lengths, so depending on how much of your stomach you want to show, you can do one that’s more cropped, or one that covers more,” she says, adding that each one feels “very comfy on the skin” and “cloudlike.”

For another closet staple, try this cotton tank, which made our list ofbest women’s tank tops. It comes recommended by Delia Cai, senior correspondent atVanity Fair, who is “truly annoyed by how dependable they are.” Unlike other, more expensive tanks she owns, this option hasn’t stretched or shrunk after multiple wears and washes. Plus it goes up to size 4X.

Skims’s sculpting bodysuit is our top pick forshapewear, and it comes highly recommended by Strategist fashion writer Ambar Pardilla, who found it “contours my curves and sculpts my shape while still feeling comfortable.” Factor in the inclusive sizing and the bodysuit checks all of Pardilla’s boxes. Plus, she says, “It highlights my butt instead of flattening it, with a cut that’s a little cheekier than the standard brief. And while it might look tiny right out of the box, Pardilla says never fear: “This thing really stretches (just know there will be some wiggling involved to get it on).”

Skims’s bodysuit selection doesn’t stop with shapewear. In fact, Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen —a bodysuit-as-a-top evangelist— included multiple in her guide to the wardrobe staple. Though she founda more affordable Skims dupe, she still counts this bodysuit among her go-tos, thanks to its slim adjustable straps, invisible panty line, and strong two-button closure. “It’s compressive yet breathable, and the high-cut leg ensures a barely there feel whether I wear it under a pair of jeans or trousers,” she writes. And like most pieces from the brand, it’s available in a wide size range — XXS to 4X.

This square-neck bodysuit also earned Goertzen’s seal of approval. It’s available in that same size range — XXS to 4X — and made of the same blend of polyamide and elastane that contributes to that “barely there feel.” Compared to the camisole version, though, Geortzen says, “I find the square neckline and wider straps also make this one versatile and easy to layer.

We initially recommended this high-neck style in a list ofvery timely Halloween-costume ideas, specifically to imitate the pink unitard that Sha’Carri Richardson,the fastest woman on Earth, wore to victory. But the bodysuit is also suitable for everyday wear thanks to its soft, breathable fabric that stretches with you.

These skintight mid-thigh shorts were recommended by stylist Kelly Augustine because they “help to create a contour by smoothing the upper leg and lifting the butt” while alsoprotecting against thigh chafing. While they’re more compressive than other shapewear shorts, Augustine says they’re light enough that it doesn’t feel like the fabric is sticking to you. And like the sculpting bodysuit, these shorts canstretch: “They may look about ten sizes too small, but they’re deceptively stretchy — you just have to believe,” reports Strategist deals editor Sam Daly, who adds that “they smooth everything out in a natural way without pinching.” They’re size inclusive, too, and go from XXS up to a 4X.

Fitness guruTracy Anderson, who is a fan of Skims’s loungewear and bodysuits, told us she’s obsessed with this pair of leggings. “I wear them with a cashmere sweater — that’s my uniform,” she revealed when we talked to her about the things she can’t live without. We’ve since named the pair the “best leggings for home” largely because they’re “soft enough to wear while hanging out at home but sleek enough for running errands,” according to our in-house leggings expert Katherine Gillespie. “The thick, stretchy waistband sits high enough to hold everything in, which means you won’t spend the whole day pulling your leggings up,” she adds.

Skims may not have a spot onTween Row, but the block’s teenage regulars have the brand ontheir wish lists. In particular, they’re eyeing a set that includes these early-aughts foldover pants and one of the Fits Everybody tops above.

If you’re looking for an upgrade to your top drawer, consider thesetangas, which have a cut that’s between a brief and thong. Former Strategist associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddellpurchasedsomelastyear and hasn’t observed any panty lines or riding, whether it be up or down. They offer fairly full coverage and a sleek fit — “Right under my bellybutton without feeling like I’m ingranny panties,” Milliner-Waddell says.

Full of “teddy-bear-like energy” because of its bouclé texture, thisbathrobeis a favorite of Grace Lee, founder of bridesmaid-dress brand Birdy Grey, who called it her ultimate pandemic purchase. The “heavenly synthetic marshmallow blend” robe also made Strategist writer and robe aficionado Martha Tuber’shouse-robe short list. “It’s so soft, so squishy-spongey, so hard to take off,” she adds.

These dresses first appeared on our radar in 2022, when folks were eager to get out of pandemic-dressing mode without rushing back to “hard pants.” Back then, it seemed almost impossible to find this dress in stock. Now, Skims has a bountiful supply of styles and colors, including one withluxurious long sleevesand a particularly slinkyslip dress.