The SKIMS brand, founded by Kim Kardashian, has responded to mass customer dissatisfaction caused by the contents of its limited-edition holiday advent calendar priced at $148. The company publicly acknowledged that the set "did not meet expectations" and offered every customer who purchased the calendar a choice between a full refund or SKIMS store credit for other products. This was reported by Wave RBC.UA, citing The Independent, as well as Entertainment Weekly.
What was inside the set
The scandal was sparked by the contents of the limited-edition Accessories Advent Calendar, which promised customers 12 days of festive surprises. Instead of apparel or lingerie, which many expected given the price point, the set contained mostly small accessories: hair ties, silk scrunchies, bobby pins, barrettes, headbands, bra straps, keychains, and a small SKIMS-branded stress ball. According to users, this collection of small items did not correspond to the stated value of the gift set.
Customer reaction on social media
On social media, the set was quickly dubbed a "joke box." Users discussed the discrepancy between the price and the contents: some compared the items to the odds and ends typically found at the bottom of a bag or between car seats, while others joked that for $148, they expected at least one full-sized garment from the brand. The wave of criticism was so widespread that it required a public response from the company.
Brand response and refund terms
In a statement, SKIMS emphasized that it had personally contacted every purchaser of the calendar. "We understand that the calendar did not meet expectations, and we have personally reached out to every customer to offer a full refund or a SKIMS credit toward other purchases," the brand's statement read. A company spokesperson also noted that customer feedback "will directly influence how we approach future product launches."
Context: Sold-out set and Kardashian’s public activity
Despite the criticism, the limited-edition set sold out: it received a "Sold Out" status on the SKIMS website, with new interested customers offered the chance to join a waiting list. According to sources, the incident occurred against the backdrop of the star's active public program: shortly before this, Kardashian attended the premiere of the second season of "All Honest" in New York, where she positioned her brand alongside industry peers. Thus, the advent calendar scandal became one of the few public episodes where the company was forced to admit a mistake and compensate clients directly.
