Has Kim Kardashian gone too far? Why her $32 “hairy thong” from SKIMS is causing chaos online

When it comes to breaking the internet, Kim Kardashian has a PhD in controversy—and this time, she’s done it with a thong. Yes, you read that right. Kardashian’s shapewear brand, SKIMS, has unleashed its most eyebrow-raising product yet: a “Faux Hair Micro String Thong.” Retailing at $32, this limited-edition piece has left the internet—especially X (formerly Twitter)—buzzing, baffled, and bursting with hot takes.

The Product That Got Everyone Talking

According to SKIMS’ official website, the thong is “handmade in a super sheer stretch mesh” and “features a blend of curly and straight faux hair.” The company describes it as their “most daring panty yet,” and it comes in 12 shades ranging from XXS to 4X. The item is part of a “limited edition” drop, but limited or not, it sold out within hours of launch.

Images from the campaign (yes, censored) show models confidently posing in the thong, while the caption proudly declares: “Our most shocking panty, ever, is available now.” It’s clear SKIMS wanted attention—and they got it.

Internet Reacts: Laughter, Confusion, and Everything In Between

Reactions online have been nothing short of hilarious. One user quipped, “She’s making merkins now?”—a reference to the centuries-old term for wigs designed for the pubic area. Another joked, “$32 for something fake that nature provides for free?” Others questioned whether there was ever any real demand for such a product.

Some fans saw humor in the bold move, calling it “ridiculous” and “literally insane,” while others defended Kardashian’s marketing genius, saying she knows exactly how to get people talking—and buying. After all, whether people laugh or gasp, they still click “Add to Cart.”

A Return of the “Merkins”

Interestingly, the idea isn’t as new as it seems. “Merkins” have long existed in entertainment and fashion, often used by actors or performers for modesty or creative expression. The concept recently resurfaced during a Maison Margiela haute couture show earlier this year, where models strutted down the runway adorned with artistic pubic wigs. Now, Kim Kardashian has brought that avant-garde idea to the mainstream lingerie market—because, why not?

From Shapewear to Shockwear

SKIMS has a history of pushing boundaries in the world of shapewear and underwear. Remember the Nipple Bra, designed with built-in faux nipples to “normalize” natural features? Or the Face Wrap, which looked more like a prop from a sci-fi thriller than a beauty product? Both stirred massive online debates and, unsurprisingly, sold out in record time.

So perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Kardashian’s latest invention is a thong with faux pubic hair. It’s part shock marketing, part tongue-in-cheek social commentary—and completely on brand for SKIMS.

 

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Kim’s Vision Behind the Brand

Kardashian has previously shared that SKIMS was born out of a deeply personal and practical need. Speaking with TIME Magazine in 2023, she revealed, “It started off of my body and my shapes, and it’s very vulnerable.” She described how the brand grew from her own frustration with the lack of inclusive shapewear, recalling how she used to dye nude underwear in her bathtub with coffee and tea to match her skin tone.

Today, that small idea has evolved into a billion-dollar empire that consistently blurs the line between fashion and conversation-starting performance art.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Whether you see it as a feminist statement, a marketing stunt, or simply a bizarre attempt to “bring back the bush,” there’s no denying the buzz it’s created. The faux hair thong—available in different colors and textures like blonde, brunette, ginger, and black—comes with the tagline: “Your carpet can be whatever color you want it to be.”

It’s the kind of audacious humor that only Kardashian could pull off. Love it or loathe it, SKIMS’ latest drop has once again proven that in Kim’s world, controversy is the best currency.

So, while critics roll their eyes, fans are rushing to checkout pages—and by the look of it, the “hairy thong” might be gone before you can shave, wax, or laser.

FAQs – Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Faux Hair Thong Controversy

Q1: What is Kim Kardashian’s new SKIMS product that everyone is talking about?
A: The viral product is called the SKIMS Faux Hair Micro String Thong — a handmade mesh thong featuring faux pubic hair. It’s available in 12 shades and several sizes, ranging from XXS to 4X.

Q2: How much does the SKIMS faux hair thong cost?
A: The thong is priced at $32 on the official SKIMS website. Despite the controversy, it reportedly sold out shortly after its launch.

Q3: Why is the SKIMS faux hair thong controversial?
A: Many people were stunned by the idea of a thong featuring fake pubic hair. Critics called it unnecessary or bizarre, while supporters praised Kardashian’s boldness and marketing creativity.

Q4: What does “merkin” mean, and how does it relate to the product?
A: A merkin is a wig made for the pubic area, historically used by actors or in fashion. The SKIMS thong is seen as a modern, mainstream version of this centuries-old concept.

Q5: Did the product sell out despite the backlash?
A: Yes. According to the SKIMS website, the limited-edition “faux hair thong” quickly sold out, showing that controversy often fuels demand.

Q6: What other unusual products has SKIMS released in the past?
A: SKIMS has previously gone viral for items like the Nipple Bra (featuring faux nipples) and the Face Wrap (a jaw-lifting beauty accessory). Both received mixed reactions but sold out multiple times.

Q7: What inspired Kim Kardashian to start SKIMS?
A: Kim has said the brand was born out of a personal need for inclusive shapewear that matched her skin tone. She originally dyed her own shapewear with coffee and tea before creating SKIMS in 2019.

Q8: Is the SKIMS faux hair thong meant to make a statement?
A: Possibly. Some believe it’s a cheeky nod to body positivity and the return of natural beauty trends, while others see it purely as a clever marketing stunt.

Q9: Will SKIMS restock the faux hair thong?
A: There’s no official word yet, but given its viral success, a restock—or a new version—wouldn’t be surprising.

Q10: How did fans react on social media?
A: Reactions ranged from amusement to confusion. One user joked, “$32 for something fake that nature provides for free?” while others called it “ridiculous” and “so funny.”