You’re staring at your shopping cart, hovering over a $50 bralette, and paralyzed by the same question everyone eventually asks: do Skims bras run small, or did I just eat too much pasta last night? It’s a valid concern. Skims, Kim Kardashian’s multi-billion dollar shapewear empire, has essentially redefined how we think about "basics." But the sizing? Honestly, it’s a bit of a Wild West. If you go on TikTok or Reddit’s r/SKIMSbyKKW, you’ll see a chaotic split between people claiming the bras are tiny enough to fit a doll and others saying they’re perfectly true to size.
Sizing isn't just a number here. It’s a vibe.
The Great Skims Sizing Debate
Here is the thing about Skims: they use highly technical, high-compression fabrics. When you pull a Fits Everybody T-shirt bra out of the box, it looks like it was made for a toddler. It’s tiny. You’ll probably laugh. But then you stretch it, and it keeps stretching, and suddenly it’s on your body. Because of this extreme elasticity, many people panic and think the brand runs small. In reality, the "smallness" is often the intended compression.
However, if we are being totally real, certain collections absolutely do run small. If you are shopping the Fits Everybody line, the fabric is like butter and has a massive amount of give. You can usually stick to your true size there. But move over to the Cotton Jersey or the Sculpting lines? Those have way less "forgiveness." If you’re between sizes, you’re going to want to size up. No question.
Why do Skims bras run small in specific collections?
It comes down to the fabric composition. The Fits Everybody collection is roughly 76% Polyamide and 24% Elastane. That’s a lot of stretch. Compare that to the Cotton Logo or Cotton Jersey lines, which are heavy on the cotton. Cotton doesn't have that "magic" stretch. It’s rigid.
When people ask "do Skims bras run small," they are often experiencing the "dig-in" factor. Because the bands are designed to be seamless and lay flat against the skin, they lack the traditional bulky elastic of a Victoria's Secret bra. This means if you have even a half-inch of extra ribcage measurement, that seamless edge is going to create a bulge. It’s not necessarily that the bra is "small," it’s that it’s unforgiving to anything other than a compression-tight fit.
Let’s talk about the cups. Skims uses a fairly standard US sizing scale, but many users find the cup volume to be slightly shallow. If you are a full D-cup or higher, you might find yourself spilling out of the top of the Weightless Demi or the Ultimate Teardrop Push-Up. This is where the "runs small" reputation really earns its keep. For those with a larger bust-to-band ratio, the bras frequently feel about a half-size too small in the cup.
Sorting through the collections
Don't buy everything in the same size. That's the biggest mistake. You've got to treat each "fabric family" like a different brand.
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The Fits Everybody Line
This is the gateway drug of Skims. It’s stretchy. Like, really stretchy. Most people find this true to size (TTS). If you want a "second skin" look, stay where you are. If you hate feeling squeezed, size up one.
The Cotton Jersey Line
This is the one that trips people up. It’s comfy, but it shrinks. If you put this in the dryer—even on low—it’s over. It will shrink. Many enthusiasts recommend sizing up immediately in the Cotton Jersey bralettes just to account for the inevitable wash-day disaster.
The Naked Collection
This is thinner and more delicate. It doesn't have the "suck-you-in" power of the other lines. Here, staying true to size is usually the safest bet because the material is so lightweight it won't create those dreaded "back fat" rolls even if it’s snug.
Real Talk: The "Tiny Bra" Optical Illusion
There is a psychological element to why people think do Skims bras run small. It’s the visual. Kim Kardashian’s marketing often features models in sizes that look intentionally small for a "cleavage-heavy" look. If you buy the size the model is wearing based on how it looks on her, you might be buying a bra that is technically too small for your actual measurements.
Also, Skims' band sizes can be inconsistent. While a 34B should be a 34B everywhere, Skims bands are often shorter in total length than legacy brands. They rely on the fabric's stretch to reach around your back. If you prefer a band that hooks easily without a struggle, you’ll think they run small.
How to measure yourself for Skims
Stop guessing. Get a soft measuring tape.
- Band: Measure tightly around your ribcage, directly under your bust. If you’re an odd number, Skims usually suggests rounding up.
- Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest.
- The Math: Subtract the band from the bust. Each inch is a cup size (1 inch = A, 2 inches = B, etc.).
Even with these numbers, the "Skims tax" applies. If you are at the very edge of a measurement, size up. The brand is notorious for "side-boob" spillage because the cuts are often quite narrow in the front.
The "Squish" Factor
We have to talk about the "squish." Skims is shapewear-adjacent. The goal of many of these bras is to smooth and compress. This means the bra is working when it feels tight. If it felt like a loose old t-shirt, it wouldn't give you that "filtered" body look that the brand is famous for.
Many first-time buyers mistake support for "too small." If you can breathe and the wires (if there are any) aren't sitting on breast tissue, it fits. But if the band is rolling up or the straps are digging deep enough to leave red welts after ten minutes, yeah, you definitely need to size up.
What about the Bralettes?
The bralettes are a whole different beast. They use Alpha sizing (XXS-4X). This is where the question do Skims bras run small gets a resounding "yes" from the community. Because an "L" has to cover a variety of cup and band combinations, it often fails those who are "skinny-fat" or "curvy-athletic."
If you are a 32DDD, an "S" will fit your waist but your boobs will be in your chin. If you get an "XL" to fit the girls, the band will be flapping in the wind. In the bralettes, the general consensus is: if you have a large chest, size up to fit the cups and just hope the band stays put.
Common complaints and returns
Skims has a decent return policy, but let’s be honest, returning mail-order bras is a hassle. This is why people obsess over the sizing before hitting "buy." The most frequent reason for returns isn't that the bra is "bad," but that the customer felt "sausage-cased."
If you look at the reviews on the Skims website, you’ll notice a pattern. Users who say "it runs small" often mention they are used to brands like Aerie or ThirdLove. Those brands prioritize comfort over compression. Skims prioritizes "the look." If you want the look, you have to accept the squeeze.
Actionable Advice for your first Skims order
Don't go all in on five bras in one size. That’s a recipe for a trip to the post office.
- Order two sizes of the same bra if you’re unsure. Yes, it’s an upfront cost, but it saves you weeks of back-and-forth.
- Check the fabric. If it’s "Power Mesh" or "Sculpt," size up. If it’s "Fits Everybody," stay true to size.
- Ignore the "tiny" look. Don't judge the bra until it’s actually on your body for at least 15 minutes. It needs to warm up to your body heat to stretch properly.
- Read the specific item reviews. Skims keeps reviews on their site for a reason. Look for people who mention your height and weight.
- Wash cold, hang dry. This isn't a suggestion; it's a requirement. If you put a Skims bra in a hot dryer, it will run small after that, even if it didn't before.
The reality is that "small" is subjective. In the world of Skims, the sizing is consistent within its own ecosystem but often runs about one full size smaller than "vanity-sized" mall brands. If you're coming from a brand that tries to make you feel smaller by labeling a large as a medium, Skims is going to be a reality check. Buy for the body you have, not the tag you want, and you'll actually end up with a bra that looks as good as the ads.
Look at your measurements, check the fabric content, and when in doubt, just size up. Your ribcage will thank you.