Meet Susie Taaffe | Founder of Skanties Anti-Shapewear

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susie Taaffe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susie, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
A lesser-known aspect of my work is that I don’t just belong to the clothing industry; I’m deeply rooted in the realm of body positivity and confidence. Through launching the Anti-Shapewear Movement, my aim is to reshape the definition of beauty, steering away from artificial standards. A hidden reality is finally coming to light: the degree to which models’ bodies, skin tones, and features are digitally altered. The industry’s well-guarded secrets are surfacing, revealing the truth about authentic bodies. These moments of transparency are giving rise to a newfound genuineness, redefining beauty norms and empowering individuals to embrace their true selves.

In our pursuit to counter the confines of shapewear’s limiting culture, we’re proclaiming with great vigor that every body is naturally beautiful and remarkable, just as it is. It’s a stark departure from the message propagated by mainstream marketing for years.

Within this evolving movement, personal narratives strike a chord, cultivating a sense of collective support and shared upliftment. Beyond the surface-level self-acceptance, this movement acts as a catalyst for broader change—a movement urging us not only to reject detrimental trends but also to actively redefine society’s perception of beauty.

What should our readers know about your business?
Absolutely, let me share a glimpse of our journey and what makes Skanties truly unique. Skanties isn’t just a brand; it’s a movement that challenges the norms of beauty standards and empowers women to embrace their natural selves.

Following an unforeseen divorce and faced with the responsibility of caring for my three young children, I was passionate to create a life I truly loved. I left behind my engineering career and founded Skanties. It wasn’t a straightforward transition and took 4 years to get off the ground as a side hustle, however in 2020 I was able to resign and work in Skanties full time.

What sets us apart is our commitment to comfort AND empowerment. We’ve designed Skanties as a solution that combines the best of comfort, style, and body positivity. Our undergarments are crafted with an innovative approach, combining the extreme comfort of yoga pants, the silky texture of nylon, and the breathability of cotton. This unique fusion eliminates panty lines, prevents thigh chafing, and addresses muffin tops, all while placing comfort at the forefront.

My journey has been anything but smooth sailing, yet each obstacle has ignited our unwavering resolve and contributed to defining our identity as a brand. Our core principles revolve around ensuring that every interaction with Skanties leaves individuals feeling happy and confident in themselves. Whether it’s a sizing inquiry, a social media post, an email exchange, or even a complaint, the language we employ holds immense significance. At the heart of it all, Susie’s Happiness Guarantee takes precedence as our top priority.

Overcoming the industry’s pressure to conform, we’ve stood firm in our belief that women deserve undergarments that celebrate their bodies, not constrain them. We’ve invested countless hours in research, development, and understanding our customers’ needs, leading to our Anti-Shapewear movement that focuses on comfort and confidence over unrealistic standards. I mean waist trainers and corsets – seriously!?

Along the way, we’ve learned that authenticity and staying true to our mission are keys to success. Our customers’ testimonials, calling our products game-changers, motivate us every day and we’ve proven that a movement towards comfort and self-love is what women truly desire.

We want the world to know that Skanties isn’t just about underwear; it’s about embracing yourself and celebrating your individuality. Our brand story is one of resilience, empowerment, and breaking free from the constraints of traditional shapewear. We stand for a future where every woman feels comfortable, confident, and beautiful just as they are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love an eclectic mix of LA! Definitely pick and choose between my recommendations as some are super fancy and some are not! I love the Santa Monica and Venice area – Shutters on the Beach – definitely stay here if your budget allows! Amazing for sunset drinks if it doesn’t – there are a few tables outside on a little deck which are my pick for sunset! A wander around Santa Monica Pier after dark when it is all lit up, Terrazza Lounge at Hotel Casa Del Mar is also lovely for a sunset drink as it has huge windows overlooking the ocean and the interiors are divine. I love to stroll along the Venice Beach Boardwalk and stop somewhere casual like the Waterfront Venice for a drink or snack and watch the colorful characters pass by. Don Antonio’s authentic Mexican which is a funny little authentic Mexican restaurant with a cute courtyard is a short Uber away. Also stroll around Abbot Kinney Boulvard’s boutiques including the vintage shops and House of Intuition.

Then for a completely different twist, head to Rodeo Drive – most of the boutiques you don’t need an appointment and if they are too full you can just wait outside for someone to leave. I found them intimidating at first however the interiors in the stores are quite remarkable and worth a visit. I would make an appointment to go to Chanel, the interior is amazing and apparently their nicest store in the world! The people and car watching is next level so definitely stop in at one of the restaurants with an outside area on N Beverly Drive or surrounding streets. Erewhon has a store here with outside tables for a more casual nibble. For more people watching, head to the bar at the Beverly Hills Hotel – fascinating!

Beverly Hills Eats – South Beverly Grill IF you can get a table – expect to see celebrities queuing on the street as well – no preferential treatment given here! Plus it’s a total LA celebrity spotting cliche however you absolutely MUST dine at The Ivy at least once in your life! Other high end restaurants for celebrity spotting include Catch LA or Steak 48. For a splurge on a budget, Avra on N Beverly Drive is a Greek restaurant which has a lunch special on most days! I am personally a very big fan of Joe’s Pizza on S Santa Monica Blvd as well! Plus Blue Bottle Coffee has the best coffee for any coffee aficionados.

Mosaic Hotel in Beverly Hills is a cute little refurbished hotel without the price tag of its neighbors The Peninsular, The Waldorf Astoria and The Beverly Hilton. For a splurge stay around here I highly recommend The London West Hollywood and a drink at their rooftop pool bar.

I also highly recommend going for a walk around Beverly Hills in the back streets. The houses are beautiful as are their gardens. Roses galore and gorgeous large trees lining the streets. Any streets between Wilshire Blvd and Olympic Blvd.

An afternoon visit to the The Getty Centre is always worthwhile plus if you’re feeling really adventurous and if you have time I love Laguna Beach – about 1-1.5 hours away traffic depending. A day trip or an overnight trip and you will find yourself in the most gorgeous little seaside town – I feel like I am being transported back to the 70’s!

Lastly if you have kids I do recommend at least a one or two day trip to Disneyland. I recently took my three kids 13, 11 & 9 there for four days and we had the most magical time. We stayed at the recently refurbished Sheraton on the Park at the Anaheim Resort which was mid-range and we loved it! I was a bit of a Disneyland skeptic so I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than the kids! My top tip though is to get there EARLY and use the Genie pass to double down on rides – book Genie and wait in the queue so as soon as you are finished the first ride you can loop back around on your Genie ticket and do it again. You will go on more rides before 11am than for the rest of the day so it is crucial to get there for opening. Plus take packed lunches to avoid the food queues and hungry kids! Then buy fun snacks which are more accessible. If you stay close it’s also great to head back for a couple of hours then come back at about 5 or 6pm for the fireworks, recharged and ready for a few more rides. Oh and final note is Splash Mountain lives up to its name so wear a poncho if you don’t want to end up saturated like I did!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my own journey, I’m fortunate to be surrounded by an ensemble of cheerleaders, mentors, and fellow founders who walk alongside me. My trajectory wouldn’t have unfolded as it has without the remarkable guidance of my mentors, Tamara Loehr and Natalie Nichols, from the Beusail Academy. I extend my gratitude to dear friends like Anna Harrison of RAMMP and Jo Burgess of Life Sorted, who’ve been unwavering sources of support.

A special nod goes to the incredible group at Unicorn Fun Farm—a dynamic team of founders representing diverse tech startups. Their camaraderie and collective experience have been invaluable.

I’m a proud single mother to three remarkable kids, aged 13, 11, and 9. Their understanding and the unwavering support of my exceptional parents have been the cornerstones of my journey.

In this mosaic of influences, it’s undeniable that my progress is a tapestry woven with the threads of multiple individuals and relationships, each playing their unique part in shaping my story.

Website: https://skanties.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skanties/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-taaffe-948a939a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Skanties/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBAVSud35CL2-p8VkGNJvHQ

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@skanties_