As a 5’5”, 168lb mom who’s six months postpartum for the third time around, I’ve been on the lookout for shape wear that could help me tackle my “baby pouch.” Along with the obvious, I needed to find one that met all of my needs:
- Flattering around my mid-section
- No rolling and bunching up
- Ability to easily nurse/pump
- Not visible through clothing
- Comfortable enough to wear all day (even when chasing after the kids)
So, after a bit of research, I decided to try Google’s recommended shape-wear brands: Spanx and Skims.
For this research project, I purchased both products straight from the brands’ site.
First Impressions: Packaging & Delivery
I ordered both my Spanx and Skims on the same day, and to my surprise, the Skims arrived three days before the Spanx. A little victory there, right?
When I opened my Skims package, I found the packaging was slightly damaged (as you can see in my pictures), but thankfully, the actual product was still intact. One of the Skims bodysuits had a cardboard insert, and the other did not. This does make me wonder if the second one had been returned and then sent back out to me.
The Skims Experience: Tiny but Mighty
Let’s talk Skims. Since having my third, I find that my size hovers between a (loose) medium, and a large. For pants I tend to waver between a size 10 and a 12. With all of the reviews I read on the Skims site, I decided to order a large and in two different colors.
When I first pulled them out, I honestly thought they sent me a toddler’s bathing suit. My 2-year old has clothes larger than these things. After some intense shimmying (and a lot of hope), I managed to get into one. After looking myself over in the mirror, I was pleased to see that everything was held in place, and the smoothness was on another level. It gave my postpartum body a tighter silhouette and it provided lots of compression around my core.
The top of the bodysuit gave plenty of support, though did compress everything around my chest. While it was simple to pull the top down for pumping and nursing purposes, I would worry about wearing it regularly as it could result in a reduction of milk volume.
The bottom of the bodysuit was tight around my hips, but luckily, the bodysuit lines didn’t show through my dress. If you want a full-on corset-like experience, this is your girl.
Comfortability: The Real Dealbreaker
Here’s the thing: I want to love Skims because it’s got that Kardashian hype behind it, but after wearing this bodysuit for a full day, I quickly realized that this isn’t a great all-day wearable piece. I should have realized this when squeezing myself into the sausage casing… but giving it the benefit of the doubt I put it to a 12 hour test. My main concerns:
- The waist was much too short
- I had to choose between an ultimate wedgie or shoulder straps digging in with no chest support
- The hips rolled up
- One of the worst things a pair of shape-wear can do to you
Despite the well thought out button-up crotch area, and the rippled top that prevents the uni-boob, Skims is definitely one of the most in-enjoyable bodysuits I have worn. With the level of uncomfortability the Skims bodysuit gave me, I would have re-thought paying the $70 price-tag.
Spanx Review: The Classic Contender
On the flip side, Spanx arrived several days later. I went with their bodysuit style that hits mid-thigh rather than the thong-style I didn’t enjoy from Skims.
Unlike Skims, which was an all-in-one tight squeeze, the Spanx shapewear provided a much more forgiving fit. The compression was less, but still smoothed out the momma pouch. While it didn’t provide the same dramatic body-sculpting effect as Skims, it didn’t make me feel like I was wrapped in a sausage casing.
Nursing was a breeze, given that this shapewear hits under the bra. It easily fit around my nursing bra, which allowed me to breath easier that the Spanx.
There were two things that did stand out to me as negative however:
- There was a line at the thigh where this shapewear stopped. It didn’t cut so deep that you could see it through jeans, but when trying on a tighter fitting dress it was extremely obvious.
- It was difficult to use the restroom.
Now #1 is a risk you take anytime you purchase shapewear that extends down your leg. #2 however, is a problem when you’ve found a free minute to quickly relieve yourself while the kids are distracted.
Now, Spanx does come with an opening for bathroom breaks. I felt uncomfortable not wearing underwear, so I threw them on top. To use the restroom, you have to pull down the underwear and pray you don’t hit the shapewear when you’re going. If you’re ok with not wearing undies – this won’t be a problem for you. For me though, it was obviously that Skims won the bathroom break battle with its simple snaps!
The Verdict: Skims or Spanx?
After trying both, I’ve got to be real with you. Skims is able to offer a stronger compression, but at the cost of comfort and a higher price tag. The experience of getting into Skims felt more like a workout in itself, and while the result was sleek and smooth, it wasn’t something I could see myself wearing for hours on end. The tiny size and the added discomfort? Not ideal for a new mom.
On the other hand, Spanx is the classic reliable option. It’s comfortable, practical, and still provides good compression without making me feel like I’m in a full-body cast. If you want something for long-term wear that still gives you a great shape, Spanx takes the win in my book.
So, for anyone postpartum and looking to tame that baby pooch, I’d say go for Spanx if comfort is your priority and Skims if you’re in it for the serious shaping (and don’t mind squeezing into a mini suit). For me, Spanx was the winner in this product battle, but only for the comfort differences. Skims would be my go-to for short formal wears that I need the heavy compression for.
In the end, it’s all about finding what works for YOU. But for me? Spanx is officially my regular postpartum shapewear winner.
This is an honest review of my purchases. I will earn commission to help upkeep this site by any purchases made using these links. Thank you for your continued support.
Spanx: Purchase HERE
Skims: Purchase HERE
