I’m a big fan of it Skims lingerie. I’ve probably written more articles than anyone needs or wants to know about how much I love the brand’s boy shorts, from the soft, comfortable fabric to the flattering cut and beautiful colors. I always hate it when all my Skims underwear is in the wash.
I also wear the brand’s scoop bralettes almost every day for the same reason (I have quite small breasts, so I rarely wear a regular bra; life is too short for underwire if you don’t need it).
And thanks to the persuasive – and persistent – power of Instagram, I have the viral one Skims brief bodysuit which offers compression at the waist and abdomen to tighten your figure and make putting on your favorite jeans a lot easier. It’s really tiny (I’ve heard partners mistake it for a baby romper and I’m not surprised).
I’ve only worn it once because I couldn’t handle the compression. Kim seems to sometimes wear two at the same time. I can only imagine that she suffers from constant indigestion.
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M&S left; Skims right
Skims vs. M&S
Another disadvantage of Skims is the price. The bodysuit costs 92 euros and the boy shorts 34 euros. And if you want the nice colors, you usually have to order them via the American website, which also entails high shipping costs. So when I got the new underwear and shapewear collection from M&Scalled Bodysaw, I was very interested. The garments have a similar minimalist design and an inclusive attitude as Skims. There are tight-fitting boxer shorts, micro-crop tops without underwire and shapewear bodysuits, all in a chic color palette of nude, black, pink and trendy shades.
“Body is the brand’s most important lingerie line to date, redefining everyday underwear through a modern, modular and solutions-oriented design philosophy,” M&S said. ‘The collection of 300 pieces brings… bras, briefs, shapewear and essentials together in one cohesive system, combining a contemporary aesthetic with cutting-edge fabric innovation and comfort-focused technology.”
So, has M&S underwear made that can compete with Kim Kardashian’s Skims for a fraction of the price? I tried on a few items to find out.
The Body Sculpt seamless, corrective, high-cut body
M&S Body sculpt seamless, corrective, high-cut body
This one looks remarkably similar to the Skims model I already have; it even has the same folds on the front of the chest. And yes, it does look terrifyingly small when you first take it out of the box. But the M&S version is definitely more stretchy (I’m a size S of both) and is much easier to put on (similar to the effort it takes to take off your sweaty sports bra, as opposed to the Skims version, which requires you to twist and lie down halfway through).
And once on, the M&Sversion surprisingly comfortable. It keeps your figure in shape (I now have an opening in the front of my jeans, like magic) without pinching. It is ideal to wear under thin sweaters and jackets in warmer weather. It also has a low back and adjustable straps, making it versatile to wear under dresses and tops. It doesn’t offer the same compression as the Skims version, but it’s $50 cheaper and I’ll probably wear it more often because it is a little more comfortable.
The Body Invisibles short micro top without underwire (sizes A to E)
M&S Body Invisibles short micro top without underwire
Next was the M&S version of the Skims bralette it’s your turn. I bought it in the color of the season: brown. But it is also available in black and a beautiful soft pink color. When I first took it out of the package, I thought it would never fit me. It’s another one that looks way too small, but I persevered and put it on – to my surprise it fit perfectly and was both very supportive (for my small breasts) and comfortable.
The fabric isn’t as soft as the Skims bralette, but it felt like it supported me better. It does rise slightly at the bottom, so I was a little worried that something would stick out under my breasts; I would probably size up if I were to buy it again. But other than that, this is a great everyday bra for those who hate bras. If you want more coverage and support for larger breasts without underwire, it is better to try the full cup bra without underwire.
M&S Body Invisibles full cup non-underwire bra
3-pack Body Invisibles seamless underwear with a high waist
M&S Set of 3 seamless Body Invisibles boxer shorts
Finally the boy shortswhich are available in packs of three for €22 (as a reminder, the Skims version is (€34 for one pair). To be honest, the boxer shorts from M&S not as flattering a fit as Kim’s, so they’re not among my chicest underwear. The fabric is also not that soft.
But if I don’t compare them with Skims, these are very comfortable panties. They have a wide crotch and are seamless, so you shouldn’t get any visible underwear lines. And, the test for good panties, I didn’t think about them for a moment when I had them on. No creeping up and no shifting. I would have preferred a little less fabric, but I also tried the briefs, which I found more flattering and which come in more colors.
M&S Set of 3 Body Invisibles briefs
And that brings me to what I love most about this collection – and actually M&S underwear in general. With 300 pieces in the new collection, there really is a bra and panty for everyone, and at a great price. There’s a reason why one in three women still buy their underwear from M&S. Kim Kardashian could never do that.
Shop the M&S Body collection.
