Skims Issues Refunds for Backlash-Hit $148 Advent Calendar
Skims is offering refunds on its $148 accessories advent calendar after customers complained online. Many said the contents were not worth the price.
- 12 items included hair ties, bobby pins, keychains, a squishy and bra straps.
- Buyers can choose a full refund or a Skims store credit.
- The calendar is sold out on the Skims website, with a waitlist.
- Skims was founded in 2019 by Kardashian, Jens Grede and Emma Grede.
Why it matters: Unboxing videos on TikTok drove the backlash. Outlets report widely different view counts for one creator's video, from 14 million to over 65 million.
- Commenters estimated the contents at about $20 in value.
- Some users argued the outrage itself was deliberate marketing for the brand.
How 7 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage differs on whether the backlash reflects a product misstep or, as some online commenters claim, intentional attention-seeking marketing.
Center coverage, 3 sources: The center focuses on the refund itself and the online debate, including claims the backlash was intentional marketing.
Left coverage, 2 sources: The left frames the story around the cheap contents and the brand's history of attention-drawing product launches.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right emphasizes customer anger, amplifying commenters who called the calendar a scam filled with junk.
What’s next: A Skims spokesperson said the company has personally contacted every customer who bought the calendar.
- Skims said customer feedback will directly shape how it approaches future releases.
- How many buyers will accept refunds versus store credit?
- Did the sellout and viral attention help or hurt Skims overall?
