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Published July 17, 2026 • Last updated July 17, 2026
SKIMS and Spanx almost never go on sale, which is exactly why shapewear is one of the smartest categories to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Both brands hold their prices all year, so the Sale is one of the rare windows to grab the sculpting bodysuits and smoothing pieces you actually reach for, for less. In 2026 the Sale opens to the public on July 18, with cardmembers shopping early.
I pulled together the 11 best SKIMS and Spanx pieces in this year's Sale, sorted by what each one actually does. I am not relitigating the full head-to-head here, because I already broke down SKIMS vs Spanx and which is worth it in a dedicated post. This guide is about which specific pieces are worth grabbing while they are marked down, whether you want a sculpting bodysuit for a dress or wear-everywhere smoothing apparel.
A quick note before we start. Anniversary Sale prices go live on July 18, so the live Sale price is not showing yet. I will update this post with each piece's Sale price the day the deals drop.
If you are still deciding between the two brands, start with my full SKIMS vs Spanx comparison and my honest SKIMS bodysuits review. This post picks up where those leave off, with the exact pieces to add to your Sale cart.
Shapewear in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale means SKIMS and Spanx across every category, from sculpting bodysuits and shaping thongs to smoothing leggings, pants, and tops, offered at a discount during the Sale, which runs once a year. It matters because SKIMS and Spanx rarely discount, so the Sale is one of the only times all year you can save on the pieces you wear on repeat. It is most useful for anyone replacing a worn-out favorite, trying a bodysuit for the first time, or stocking up on wear-everywhere basics.
The best shapewear in the 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale includes the SKIMS Seamless Sculpt thong bodysuit, the Spanx AirEssentials wide-leg pants, and the SKIMS Body Core Sculpt shorts. These are the versatile, wear-on-repeat pieces that rarely go on sale and hold up season after season. The Sale opens to the public on July 18, 2026.
Quick Takeaways
- SKIMS and Spanx almost never discount, so Anniversary is the year’s best chance to save.
- Top picks: SKIMS Seamless Sculpt bodysuit, Spanx AirEssentials wide-leg pants, SKIMS Sculpt shorts.
- SKIMS shines for sculpting bodysuits under dresses; Spanx shines for smoothing everyday apparel.
- Sorted by brand and by what each piece actually does, so you can shop by need.
- The Sale opens to the public July 18; cardmembers shop early.
- Live Sale prices drop July 18; popular sizes in both brands sell out fast.
My three top shapewear picks to grab the moment the Sale opens.
What Are the Best SKIMS Sculpting Pieces?
The best SKIMS pieces are the Seamless Sculpt thong bodysuit, the Ultimate Body push-up bodysuit, and the Body Core Sculpt shorts. SKIMS is the brand I reach for when I want real sculpting under a dress or a bodysuit that doubles as a top.
I look for smoothing that holds without digging in, a seamless finish that disappears under clothes, and a piece I will actually wear more than once. Here are my SKIMS picks.
The Seamless Sculpt is the SKIMS piece everyone starts with, and for good reason. It smooths and sculpts through the midsection without digging in, and the thong back means zero visible lines under a dress. It is the do-it-all bodysuit I would grab first in the whole Sale.
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The Ultimate Body push-up adds a little lift and shaping up top, so it works as both support and a smoothing base layer. It is the pick for anyone who wants a bit more structure than a classic bodysuit. It reads polished under a blazer or a going-out top.
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The Body Core Sculpt plunge has a low neckline built for wrap dresses, blazers, and anything with a deeper cut. It gives you the smooth SKIMS base without peeking out the top. It is the problem-solver for outfits a regular bodysuit cannot handle.
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The Sheer Seamless is the lighter, barely-there option for when you want a smooth base without heavy compression. It is the versatile everyday bodysuit that layers invisibly under almost anything. It is the pick if you find full sculpting too firm for daily wear.
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The Body Core Sculpt high-waist thong targets the midsection specifically, so it is the piece for shaping under fitted skirts and pants. The high waist stays put and smooths without a visible line. It is the targeted option when you do not need a full bodysuit.
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The Body Core Sculpt shorts smooth the thigh and hip area and stop chafing, which makes them a summer-dress essential. They shape gently while staying comfortable enough to wear all day. It is the practical piece I would add to any Sale cart.
Shop Now →Want the honest, worn-it breakdown before you commit? My SKIMS bodysuits review covers fit and sizing in detail, and my SKIMS dupes on Amazon post has budget alternatives if you want to try the look for less.
My full Anniversary Sale shopping list — the finds actually worth your money, sorted by worth-it or skip, with the July 18 go-live reminder so nothing sells out on you.
Send me the cheat sheet →What Are the Best Spanx Smoothing Pieces?
The best Spanx pieces are the AirEssentials wide-leg pants, the SPANXshape Booty Boost leggings, and the SPANXsmooth ponte flare pants. Spanx is where I go for smoothing apparel you wear out, not just shapewear you layer underneath.
I look for a buttery-soft feel, a smoothing fit that flatters without squeezing, and pieces versatile enough for work or weekend. Here are my Spanx picks.
The AirEssentials wide-leg pants are the cult-favorite that feels like a sweatpant but looks like a tailored trouser. The soft, smoothing fabric flatters everywhere and dresses up or down instantly. It is the wear-everywhere piece I would grab first in this section.
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The Booty Boost leggings smooth and lift at the same time, so they hold everything in while giving a flattering shape. They work for errands, travel, and low-key workouts alike. It is the legging that does double duty as shapewear.
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The SPANXsmooth ponte flare pants have a built-in smoothing waist and a polished flare that reads office-ready. The ponte fabric holds its shape all day without bagging. It is the elevated pant for anyone who wants a dressier smoothing option.
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The Square Neck crop tank has a subtle smoothing effect and a flattering neckline that layers under blazers or over high-waist pants. It is the kind of elevated basic you end up reaching for weekly. It is the easy add-on to round out a Sale order.
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The AirEssentials half-zip is the impossibly soft sweatshirt from the same beloved line as the pants. It is cozy enough for travel and pulled-together enough to wear out. It is the comfort piece that quietly upgrades your everyday rotation.
Shop Now →The AirEssentials line and Booty Boost leggings cross right over into everyday wear. For more soft, wear-on-repeat pieces from the Sale, see my loungewear and athleisure picks and my best activewear deals.
How I Picked These 11 Pieces
I picked these 11 pieces the same way I shop the Sale for myself. I am not claiming to have tried on every single item this week, since the Sale prices launch on July 18. Instead, I chose them on fit, fabric, brand reputation, and how often each piece actually earns its place in a real wardrobe.
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Sorted by what it does. SKIMS for sculpting bodysuits and shaping, Spanx for smoothing apparel you wear out.
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Brands that rarely discount. SKIMS and Spanx hold their prices all year, so these deals stand out most.
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Versatility first. I favored pieces you reach for on repeat over single-use, occasion-only shapewear.
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Fit and comfort. I chose pieces that smooth without digging in, because uncomfortable shapewear never gets worn.
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Pieces I would keep. Every one is something I would happily add to my own cart.
How to Choose the Right Piece
The simplest way to choose is to start with the outfit, not the brand. If you need a smooth, invisible base under a dress, reach for a SKIMS bodysuit or the sculpt shorts. If you want a piece you actually wear out, like pants or leggings, Spanx is the smoothing apparel brand. If you are torn between the two brands overall, my full SKIMS vs Spanx comparison walks through the differences in detail.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Shapewear on Sale
The biggest mistake is buying shapewear a size too small, thinking tighter means more sculpting. It actually causes rolling and discomfort, so you never wear it. A close second is waiting too long, because popular sizes in both brands sell out before the public opening.
Pros
- Buy your true sizeComfortable shapewear you actually wear beats a size-too-small piece.
- Start with versatile piecesA Seamless Sculpt bodysuit or AirEssentials pants earn their place daily.
- Shop the brands that rarely discountSKIMS and Spanx almost never go on sale, so grab them now.
Cons
- Don't size downToo-tight shapewear rolls, digs in, and ends up unworn.
- Don't wait for restocksPopular sizes in both brands often do not come back.
- Don't buy occasion-onlySkip single-use pieces in favor of ones you will reach for often.
SKIMS vs. Spanx at a Glance
“The best shapewear is the piece you forget you are wearing – and Anniversary Sale is the rare time SKIMS and Spanx actually go on sale.— Jasmine Del Toro, Layers of Beauty
My three top shapewear picks to grab the moment the Sale opens.
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shapewear: FAQ
When does the 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale start?+
What is the best shapewear in the Anniversary Sale?+
Is SKIMS or Spanx better?+
Why don't I see the sale prices yet?+
Does SKIMS ever go on sale?+
What size shapewear should I buy?+
What is the best SKIMS bodysuit to start with?+
Are there affordable alternatives to SKIMS?+
Which pieces sell out first?+
Where can I shop all your shapewear picks?+
TL;DR — Shapewear is one of the smartest categories to shop the 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, because SKIMS and Spanx almost never discount. Reach for a SKIMS Seamless Sculpt bodysuit if you want invisible sculpting under a dress, and Spanx AirEssentials pants if you want smoothing apparel you actually wear out. Build your wish list before July 18 so you can check out before the best sizes sell out.
The Bottom Line on This Year’s Shapewear
A sale like this is not really about buying more. It is about finding the few pieces that fit so well and smooth so comfortably that you forget you are even wearing them.
The right piece does exactly that, every single time you put it on. That is the whole idea behind Layers of Beauty – feeling good in your clothes is a layer of confidence, not a chore.
So pick the pieces that fit and feel like you, skip the rest, and enjoy the Sale. As of July 2026, these 11 pieces are the ones I would shop first, and you can find all of them on my LTK shop. Still deciding between the two brands? My SKIMS vs Spanx comparison is the best next read. Want the newest drops? See my SKIMS summer launch picks.