Let’s be real for a second. Kim Kardashian basically changed the underwear game when she dropped the Fits Everybody collection. Those boy shorts? They’re buttery. They’re stretchy. They make you feel like you’re wearing absolutely nothing while somehow still looking snatched. But spending $22 to $26 on a single pair of tiny fabric rectangles feels aggressive, especially when you need a fresh pair every single day.
You're probably here because you're tired of the "Sold Out" notifications or you just can’t justify the price tag anymore. I get it. Finding a skims boy shorts dupe isn't just about finding something cheap; it’s about finding that specific, almost-liquid polyamide and elastane blend that doesn't dig into your thighs or create a visible panty line under leggings.
The market is currently flooded with "seamless" options, but most of them are total garbage. Some are too thick, feeling more like shapewear that cuts off your circulation. Others are so thin they disintegrate after three washes in a standard mesh laundry bag. To find a true alternative, we have to look at the fabric composition. Skims usually leans on a mix of 76% Polyamide and 24% Elastane. If the dupe you’re looking at is 100% cotton, it’s not a dupe. It’s just underwear.
The Amazon Contenders: Hits and Misses
If you search for a skims boy shorts dupe on Amazon, you’ll see brands like QQQ, Pumiey, and OQQ pop up immediately. Pumiey is the one everyone talks about. They’ve gone viral on TikTok for a reason. Their "Bodycon" line uses a micro-fiber fabric that feels shockingly close to the Fits Everybody texture. It has that cool-to-the-touch sensation.
However, there’s a catch.
While the Pumiey shorts look identical in photos, the waistband tension is slightly different. Skims has this magic way of making the waistband feel non-existent. The Amazon versions sometimes have a slightly tighter elastic thread at the very top. It’s not a dealbreaker for most, but if you’re sensitive to sensory stuff or prone to bloating, it’s something to watch out for.
Then there’s the "Free People" adjacent brands. You know the ones. They offer those ribbed seamless shorts. While they are cute, they don't serve the same purpose as the Skims boy short. The Skims version is meant to be an invisible base layer. Ribbed fabric is bulky. If you’re wearing silk slips or tight trousers, the ribbing will show. Stick to the flat-knit microfiber if you want the authentic look.
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Why the Cut Matters More Than the Price
Most people think a boy short is just a boy short. Wrong.
The Skims design has a specific rise—it’s mid-to-high but doesn't quite hit the belly button for everyone. It also has a longer gusset. This is technical talk for "it covers the bits it's supposed to cover." Many cheap dupes skimp on the width of the crotch area. There is nothing worse than a boy short that turns into a thong the moment you start walking.
Target’s Auden brand used to be the go-to for this, but they recently shifted some of their fabric blends. Their "Laster Cut" line is okay, but it lacks the compression of the original. If you want that held-in feeling without the "shapewear" label, you have to look at brands like Uniqlo. Their AIRism Ultra Seamless line is a sleeper hit. It doesn't look like a skims boy shorts dupe at first glance because the packaging is so clinical, but the tech is there. The moisture-wicking properties are actually superior to Skims, which is great if you live in a humid climate or plan on wearing them to the gym.
The Material Science of the "Buttery" Feel
Why is it so hard to copy? It’s the weight of the knit.
High-end seamless machinery can produce fabric that is incredibly dense but very thin. Cheaper factories have to use thicker yarns to get the same durability, which results in a "stiff" garment. When you’re hunting for an alternative, check the GSM (grams per square meter) if the listing provides it. You want something lightweight.
A lot of people swear by the Old Navy "Soft & Focused" or "Sunday Sleep" lines. They’re soft, sure. But they are mostly rayon or modal. Modal is great for sleeping, but it grows. After four hours of wear, modal boy shorts will start to sag at the butt. You’ll be pulling them up all day. For a true skims boy shorts dupe, you need that synthetic snap-back that only comes from a high elastane percentage.
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The Ethical and Longevity Argument
Let's talk about the "fast fashion" problem.
Buying a five-pack of dupes for $15 feels like a win. But if those seams unravel after a month, you’re just contributing to a landfill. Skims, for all its marketing fluff, actually holds up. I’ve had pairs for three years that still look new.
If you want a dupe that actually lasts, look at Jockey’s "Skimmies." They’ve been around way longer than Skims. They aren't as "cool" or "trendy" in their color palettes—expect lots of beige and black—but the quality is industrial grade. They won't pill. They won't lose their shape. They are essentially the OG version of the seamless slip short and boy short.
How to Spot a Fake Review
When you're scrolling through reviews for a skims boy shorts dupe, ignore the ones that just say "so soft!"
Look for the reviewers who post photos of the leg openings. You want to see if the edge is bonded or stitched. Skims uses a lot of bonded (glued) edges which makes them invisible. Most dupes use a flatlock stitch. A stitch will always be slightly more visible under clothing than a bond. If you see a raw-cut edge that doesn't fray, you’ve found a winner. That’s the hallmark of high-quality synthetic knitting.
Real-World Testing: What Actually Stays Put?
I've tried the "Lemonade" brand and the "Maidenform" modern versions. Maidenform is surprisingly good if you go up one size. They have a "tame your tummy" line that mimics the Skims Sculpting line, but their everyday boy shorts are the real star. They use a sleek fabric that doesn't cling to denim.
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Ever tried to wear cotton undies under jeans? They drag. It's annoying. A good skims boy shorts dupe should let your pants slide right over them.
- Pumiey: Best for the "naked" feel.
- Uniqlo AIRism: Best for sweat and hot weather.
- Maidenform: Best for staying power and not rolling down.
- Jockey Skimmies: Best for preventing thigh chafe.
The Color Match Game
One thing Kim got right was the "Nude" spectrum. Most dupes fail here. They offer "Beige," "Tan," and "Black." If you have a very specific skin tone, you might struggle to find a match in the cheaper brands. Amazon’s OQQ brand has actually expanded their range recently to include more cocoa and deep mocha tones, which is a massive step up from where dupes were two years ago.
Washing Your Dupes So They Last
Listen, don't throw these in with your towels.
The heat from the dryer is the enemy of elastane. It cooks the fibers. If you want your skims boy shorts dupe to stay stretchy, you have to air dry them. Or at least use the "delicate" low-heat setting. And for the love of everything, keep them away from Velcro. One stray sports bra hook will ruin a pair of seamless shorts faster than you can say "add to cart."
Action Steps for Your Next Purchase
Stop buying single pairs. If you find a brand that works, buy the multi-packs. The price per unit drops significantly. Before you checkout, do these three things:
- Check the Gusset: Ensure it’s lined with cotton. Even 100% synthetic dupes should have a cotton patch for health reasons. If it's pure plastic down there, put it back.
- Size Up: If you are between sizes, always size up in seamless wear. Over-stretching the fabric makes it sheer and causes the waistband to roll.
- Read the 4-Star Reviews: 5-star reviews are often fake or incentivized. 1-star reviews are usually just angry people whose package was late. 4-star reviews usually contain the truth about the fit and fabric.
Finding a reliable skims boy shorts dupe is a bit of a trial-and-error process because everyone’s body shape is different. What rolls down on a pear-shaped body might stay perfectly flat on an athletic build. Start with a single pair from Pumiey or Uniqlo to test the "ride-up" factor before committing to a full drawer refresh. Stick to high-elastane blends and bonded edges for that seamless look, and always wash cold to keep the "snap" in your fabric.