'I tried 5 Skims-style shaping bodysuits and this £20 one was surprisingly the best'
Kim Kardashian's brand Skims has quickly become a cult favourite for so many thanks to its comfy, high-quality, body-positive, and even sometimes controversial (we're looking at you, Skims face wrap) shapewear and lingerie.
However, with price tags of around £74 for a shaping bodysuit and sometimes into the £100s for a limited-edition collab, its shapewear is definitely an investment that not everyone has.
And with it being prime occasionwear season, when you may be looking for that extra support, I'm here to help you out with tried-and-tested Skims-like shaping bodysuits to see what ranks best for compression, fit, price, and overall comfort.
From Boux Avenue to H&M and even Amazon, I've rounded up my list of five of the best, depending on what qualities you are looking for, with one coming out on top.
Best overall
Dorina brushed micro bodysuit in brown, £20
Pros: Thong back so no visible panty line, doesn't look like shapewear so can be worn on its own; flattering square neckline; thick, quality material
Cons: Thick material adds a slightly bulky layer
Out of the five I tried, this brushed jersey one from Dorina was my winner. I was so surprised to feel the thick, high-quality material when I got it out of the packet, considering the affordable £20 price tag. I love that this had a thong back so there's no risk of the dreaded VPL, and the button-fastening in the crotch makes this super easy to remove.
I also love the on-trend chocolate brown colour and flattering square neckline, which make this suitable for wearing out on its own. I'm usually not a fan of the trend of wearing shapewear as actual clothing, but you could 100% get away with it with this Dorina one.
Not to mention, the most important aspect is that it's super supportive, smooth, and sculpting, so it will make you feel your best. My only criticism is that due to the thick brushed jersey material, if you're wearing something skin-tight, this may add a bulky-feeling layer underneath.
Best for shaping and tummy control
H&M Firm shape Sculpting Thong body, currently £17
Pros: Sculpts and compresses; flattering on the bust; different skin tones available
Compared to the Dorina one, this sculpting thong body from H&M is more of an underwear bodysuit. It is available in five different skin tones and definitely has the most compressive effect on the stomach. If you're trying to sculpt your body for a summer wedding or event, this is one of the best choices.
The sculpting material has fantastic tummy control, and if you've got smaller boobs, this helps give them a subtle lift and gorgeous shape. However, if you've got a larger chest, you may struggle getting the support you need as there is no padding or lining around the cups.
Again, bonus points are given for the thong back and adjustable shoulder straps.
Best chest support
Dorina Mix & Match Sublime Sculpt medium control light padded thong bodysuit in black, £28
Pros: Adjustable straps; padded cups with good support for small to medium boobs; removable straps for under strapless/one-shoulder pieces
Cons: Sizing only goes up to an E cup
If you're looking for more support or padding around the chest area, the Sulbime Sculpt bodysuit from Dorina is your best bet. Similar to SKIMS' popular Core Sculpt Underwire Bodysuit, £149, the moulded cups and sculpted fit is so flattering.
Additionally, the removable and adjustable straps make this suitable for underneath strapless and one-shoulder dresses or tops.
Unfortunately, this bodysuit only goes up to a cup size D on ASOS and an E on the Dorina website, which can be quite restrictive if you've got a chest any larger.
Best for affordability
ZENYA Women Shapewear Bodysuit, currently £10.19
Pros: Adjustable straps; compresses the stomach well; affordable
Cons: Not seamless so can show through clothing; crotch is long
At under £12, this is by far the most affordable option and a great option if you want some extra shaping without breaking the bank. Made from a stretchy, lightweight nylon and spandex blend, this bodysuit is completely breathable, making it a great underlayer for summertime.
It also features a tummy control body shaper without uncomfortable wires, so it's great for sculpting and staying comfy.
The main issue I found with this one, however, is that it's not seamless and provides a lot of coverage on your bum, which results in a visible panty line when worn under certain tight pieces of clothing. It also doesn't have a high leg cut like the others, so it doesn't create as much of a flattering silhouette.
Best for comfort
Boux Avenue Smoothing Built In Support Bodysuit, £35
Pros: Thong back so no visible panty line; different skin tones available; supportive on the bust
Cons: Needs smaller sizes as it doesn't sculpt/compress the stomach as well as it could
The Smoothing Built In Support Bodysuit from Boux Avenue ranked highest for me in terms of comfort. With all the others, I think you would reach the end of the day feeling a sigh of relief to finally be out of your shaping bodysuit. However, this is one you could easily wear for the entire day without even having a thought that you're wearing shapewear.
As with H&M's one, there is a variety of skin tones to choose from, and the adjustable straps, combined with the seamless stretch-knit material, make this great for supporting your chest.
If there were smaller sizes available and/or slightly better compression on the stomach area, this would rank as my number one. The smallest size is a small cup size A-D. I'm a pretty standard size 10 and find this ever-so-slightly baggy at the waist, meaning if you were any smaller, it may border on being too big. However, this is dependent on your body shape.
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