I'm a fashion editor who tried Kim Kardashian's Skims range while pregnant, here's my honest review
I'm impressed.
When Kim Kardashian's Skims shapewear finally launched in the UK, there was much excitement. The range of bodysuits, bras, knickers and loungewear already had rave reviews in the US, alongside reasonable prices (a bodysuit costs £66) and inclusive sizes (XXs to 4XL). So I was keen to see whether it was all worth the hype.
At the time of writing, I'd been trying Skims underwear for about a year and was almost eight months pregnant, so it's safe to say Skims had seen me through multiple body changes. Here is my honest Skims review.
How good are Skims?
In all honesty, Skims underwear is the most comfortable I own, and I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I wore it on average five days of the week out of seven - I obviously have several styles that I wash! This goes for both pre and during pregnancy. I have not tried the shapewear, focusing on underwear only (the loungewear is super comfy too). Skims promise everything from "technically constructed shapewear that enhances your curves to underwear that stretches to twice its size." The brand says, its "goal is to consistently innovate on the past and advance our industry for the future."
I don't know what the technology is, but it's doing something right. I've always hated constrictive underwear with padding and underwire, and you don't get any of that with Skims. The buttery fabrics feel like a second skin, though 'feel' is the wrong word as you totally forget it's there once on. My favourite bra style is the triangle bralette, though the scoop neck bra is a close second. I am normally a 32B, now a 32C and the bra offers plenty of support for me.
I'm not a thong fan, but have tried the brand's selection and found that I didn't mind it as much as other thongs, since the fabric hugs your curves without feeling restrictive. That said, I do prefer the coverage of the cheeky underwear and briefs. They stretch to fit you, without falling into the sheer trap, and of course, the skin colourways make them perfect for wearing under light-coloured clothes such as white dresses.
I've obviously now washed all of my Skims underwear, and it's not really budged at all, neither in colour or size. All in all, a massive thumbs up for me.
Do Skims run true to size?
I would say that Skims runs true to size. Pre-pregnancy, I was a UK size 6 to 8, and so wore the underwear in a size S. Throughout pregnancy, my hips have gotten wider and my breasts slightly bigger, so I've gone up a size for both bras and knickers, opting for M, which works for me. Obviously, if your breasts grown bigger than a cup size or two, then you may want to size up again.
Skims maternity
Skims pregnancy shapewear is designed to change with your body during and after pregnancy. The collection includes maternity tights and bodysuits featuring non-compressive cores for a growing bump.
I personally tried the supportive nursing bra and the high-waist brief, the latter of which hugged my bump without compressing it, basically just an extension of the briefs in the rest of the collection.
As for the bra, I obviously haven't started breastfeeding yet, but can attest to its comfort. It's specially designed for leak protection and features front clasps that open and close for convenient feeding, plus an inside elastic strap for shoulder stability.
You can shop Skims directly on the brand's website or at Selfridges, but before you do that make sure to check out our Selfridges Marie Claire vouchers for discount codes.
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Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.
She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.
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