Kim Kardashian may boast an ever-growing portfolio of business ventures, but the one to unite us all is undoubtedly Skims. Since launching four years ago, the shapewear and loungewear brand with ‘solutions for every body’ has truly surpassed initial expectations, working its way into the wardrobes of both Kardashian loyalists and those who have never seen a single KUWTK episode. (I personally sit in the latter camp, and yes cannot deny the sheer perfection of the brand's Everyday Sculpt bralette).
While the UK had to wait a fair while to be able to shop the entire line, expansion has recently been rapid, with a full UK commerce site joining the select edits at Net a Porter, Harrods, and Selfridges.
Since it became more accessible to us, the brand has broken the internet in a series of milestone moves. There was the launch of the inclusive Adaptive collection for those with limited mobility, a viral campaign for the Fits Everybody line featuring some of the world's biggest supermodels and, of course, the arrival of the divisive bum-cleavage dress.
Today, the brand is set to crash the servers for another reason: its annual Black Friday sale is upon us. Not everything is reduced - but there are plenty of big wardrobe hits now with tiny prices, such as the Fits Everybody T-Shirt in a host of nudes, the fan-favourite Long-Sleeve Scoop Bodysuit (in black!) and even the Seamless Sculpt High-Waisted Brief
SHOP THE SKIMS BLACK FRIDAY SALE
After some inspiration? See the pieces a fashion editor would honestly recommend below.
The Skims Pieces A Fashion Editor Actually Rates
The Ultimate Bra
An admittedly divisive design, this is Kim's take on the Noughties classic that, honestly, always looked better in music videos and on traffic-stopping billboards than it did in real life.
But don’t recoil just yet, because this isn’t the aggressively padded scaffolding you remember from 2014. Kim clearly understands the issues with the push-up styles of old, and in typical Skims style, has worked to provide a solution that really stands up to scrutiny.
'Traditional push-up bras would give me a lift but didn’t create the right shape and gave me a shelf-like look from the side, distorting the curves of my bust', Kim Kardashian, Creative Director & Co-Founder tells ELLE. 'I also noticed that traditional push-up bras were not truly supportive for many women and caused spillage.' Indeed, anyone with a larger than average cup size will know the feeling all too well. So, how does one craft a cleavage-enhancing bra in 2023? According to Kim, with a lot of trial and error.
'We spent a lot of time perfecting the Ultimate Bra,' she says. 'We studied a multitude of women’s busts using 3D scans, including my own, and inch by inch we developed these really natural looking cups giving your bust an amazing ‘teardrop’ appearance with the right amount of fullness and the perfect cleavage.'
Indeed, the ‘no boob-job bra’ is a far cry from anything you likely tried in the era of crop tops and low-rise jeans. A design triumph, it creates a gentle teardrop silhouette without visible lines or uncomfortable straps. The edges are bonded to ensure a clean fit under clothing, and the sheen-finish fabric moves with you, ensuring a natural look from every angle.
Skims Ultimate Bra
Skims Ultimate Bra
The Ultimate Nipple Bra
The brand’s latest innovation has already gone viral – but perhaps not for the right reasons. The Ultimate Nipple Bra is a Noughties-style cleavage booster, but with perky foam nipples built in.
At first glance, it's just another Kardashian viral moment: a very silly nod to the star's sexuality that was guaranteed to grab headlines. The camp sexy-scientist campaign is underpinned by a charitable donation – 10% per cent of total sales will be donated to 1% For The Planet – but there's an additional unsung triumph beneath the surface of this particular launch.
People who have had mastectomies, reconstructive or gender-affirming surgery may (emphasis on the may here – there's no one rule for all) find solace in this left-field launch. And, considering these are groups largely left out of the lingerie market, it's a welcome addition to the Skims roster, which already includes a line of accessible underwear and has the most inclusive sizing and shade ranges in the mass market.
Of course, it's also very easy to see the potential problems with a launch that won't (and shouldn't) land with the masses. To most, a bra that creates the illusion of visible, perfectly symmetrical nipples will be unnecessary at best, and – at worst – another product fuelling the sexualisation of women. But to burn this particular bra in the name of feminism would be a disservice to who will really, honestly, feel good in it. The solution? Let the Ultimate Nipple Bra live in the niche, as a product for those underserved people who truthfully want it.
Everyday Sculpt
Skims has answered our prayers with the launch of the Everyday Sculpt collection: the brand’s most wearable offering yet. The biggest collection since the launch in 2019, Everyday Sculpt comprises bralettes, thongs and bodysuits all designed to sculpt your curves and deliver support without the scaffolding.
The brand is billing it as ‘mid-level’ shapewear, meaning it’s not quite as heavyweight as the original Seamless Sculpt line, instead delivering gentle support for any occasion. We all love the simple Bralette, which comes in 10 shades of nude and looks great under everything from tank tops to body-hugging dresses.
Skims Everyday Sculpt Bodysuit
Skims Everyday Sculpt Bralette
Skims Everyday Sculpt High-Waisted Short
Skims Everyday Sculpt Open Bust Catsuit
Skims Swim
Yes yes, Skims Swim is back in stock! For how long? I don’t know - but I do know the pang of disappointment when that scoop-neck bodysuit sells out right before a holiday, so I'd suggest stocking up now. Combining sculpting fabric with sleek silhouettes, this is pretty much the answer to our swimwear prayers.
Skims Scoop-Neck One Piece
Skims Tank Bikini Top
Skims Triangle Top
Skims Mid-Waist Bottoms
Fits Everybody
This is the range made from technical fabric that famously stretches to twice its original size, meaning every single curve is supported and contoured to perfection. Comfort reigns over compression here, so if you’re after the perfect basics to slip under your weekend wardrobe, you’re in the right place. My number-one piece? The square-neck bodysuit, which looks perfect as a top under high-waisted denim and tailored trousers.
Skims Fits Everybody Square-Neck Bodysuit
Skims Fits Everybody Square Neck Bodysuit
Skims Fits Everybody Bandeau
Skims Fits Everybody Thong
Seamless Sculpt
The special-occasion collection, Seamless Sculpt is made from powerful compression fabric that delivers the smoothest lines beneath your slinkiest dresses.
The line has long been a favourite, and now the brand has added 11 new styles, as well as an extended range of sizing to ensure there’s something for absolutely everyone.
The Scoop Neck Thong Bodysuit is a riff on an earlier design, with thicker straps to offer better bust support: it’s a must for anyone over a DD cup size. Another highlight, the Strapless Shortie Bodysuit is designed to be worn with those perilously low-rise jeans you’ve just invested in.
Skims Seamless Sculpt Bralette
Skims Seamless Sculpt High-Waisted Brief
Skims Seamless Sculpt Low Back Bodysuit
Skims Seamless Sculpt Short With Open Gusset
The T-Shirt Shop
Not just the ultimate underwear destination, Skims is also fast becoming a go-to for wardrobe essentials. The entire ELLE team is currently stockpiling those perfect 90’s T-shirts – best worn with a slip skirt and flats – and the second-skin long-sleeve designs which work perfectly with boyfriend denim.
Skims Soft Smoothing Tank
Skims Cotton Jersey T-Shirt
Skims Long-Sleeve T-shirt
Skims Cotton Jersey T-Shirt
What Exactly Is Skims?
The brand beloved by Ashley Graham, Chrissy Teigen and of course the Kardashian/Jenner clan, was founded by Kardashian West in September 2019. Her mission was to fill a gap in the market with buttery soft, comfortable and wearable shape enhancing undergarments, that work in harmony with your everyday wardrobe.
Four years on, SKIMS now boasts a fully-fledged collection, comprising of 160 solution-focused options and loungewear pieces in sizes XXS – 5X and nine tonal colour ways, plus maternity and childrenswear.
Where can I buy Kim Kardashian's SKIMS in the UK?
The super-smoothing and cosy pieces used to be pretty difficult to get your hands on if you didn't live stateside, with UK-residents paying hefty postage and import taxes. This was until Selfridges, Net-A-Porter and Harrods stepped up - and now, the brand boasts a full UK site that hosts every single collection.
