These 'barely there' Skims shapewear shorts are my new go-to for summer: Here's why
These shorts are perfect to wear under wedding gowns, backless dresses and more.
Read on for our shopping editor's honest review of Skims Barely There Low Back Shorts.
💵 Price: $80 CAD/$48 USD.
⏰ Tested for: Two weeks.
⭐ Our rating: 4.5/5.
🛍️ Reasons to buy: Like many Skims products, these shaping shorts fill a very specific need: Shapewear for dresses or bodysuits with an open back.
✋ Reasons to avoid: None. Although they are pricey, I haven't found a pair of shaping shorts with a comparable low-back silhouette.
While I'm not usually a fan of Kim Kardashian (or the larger Kardashian family in general), I'll give credit where credit is due: from recent experience, I have to admit that Skims lives up to the hype.
I recently purchased the brand's Barely There Low Back Short, which retails for $80 CAD/$45 USD. Despite being hesitant to place my first Skims order, I'd definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a pair of low compression undergarments to pair with backless clothing this spring and summer.
As a 2024 bride, I began considering the brand's shapewear when I first started shopping for my wedding dress. Given that I decided on a gown with a low, open back, I wanted something that would provide light smoothing and shaping, without peeking out at the back.
While Spanx offers a shaping bodysuit with a plunging back as well, the silhouette still isn't quite right to pair underneath my wedding gown. Enter the Skims Barely There Low Back Short, which ticked all of my shapewear boxes.
The shorts feature a plunging back, boning at the side seam and raw cuts for a seamless look beneath clothing. This backless staple targets and smooths the hips and thighs, with light compression throughout.
They're available in eight neutral shades to match different tones, and come in inclusive range of sizes from XXS to 4X.
What are others saying?
So far, these Skims shorts have earned a 4.2-star average rating from more than 100 customer reviews.
Generally, shoppers say they fit true to size, though you may want to size down for a more compressive fit.
One person said the shorts are "great for wedding dresses." They went on to add that "the support could be better but then they wouldn’t be so comfortable."
Another found that the shorts are "not just perfect for any low back, but for sleeveless super low back dresses too."
Reviewers do caution that "the legs do roll slightly if you are sitting and standing a lot."
🛍️ Reasons to buy
If you're also on the hunt for a pair of shapewear that won't be visible beneath a low-back dress or bodysuit, these Skims shorts could be just the thing. Not only do they offer a smoothing fit, the fabric is also super soft — this coming from someone who is extremely picky about fabric.
While I've yet to wear them for a full day, I found that the shorts stayed in place and lived up to their claims of providing a seamless fit under clothing. For that reason, I can see myself reaching for them again and again this summer, as well as for my wedding next spring.
✋ Reasons to avoid
At $80 CAD, the Skims Barely There Low Back Shorts are a pricey investment, but since they're such a unique product, there aren't really many affordable alternatives. As much as I was ready to hate on these shorts, they're totally worth it in my opinion.
I will say that these shorts feel more like nylon tights than other shaping undergarments I've worn in the past. I'm a fan of the light compression, but if you prefer a more compressive fit, these shorts may not live up to your expectations.
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