Skims Offers Refunds After $148 Advent Calendar Backlash

On November 8, Skims said it had reached out to everyone who bought its $148 accessories advent calendar and offered either a full refund or store credit. The company acknowledged that the product had fallen short for some customers and said their reactions would inform future releases.

The calendar was promoted as 12 days of surprises, with a mix of playful items and everyday accessories. A viral TikTok unboxing showed keychains, hair ties, hair pins, Christmas ornaments and a Skims-branded squishy. The creator criticized the price, and commenters described the contents as poor value. The video had drawn more than 64 million views.

Despite the backlash, the limited-edition calendar is sold out and listed as waitlisted on the Skims website. The company said it wants customers to be happy with their purchases. Kardashian founded Skims in 2019; the brand was initially named Kimono, but changed its name after criticism that the original name appropriated Japanese culture. Kardashian later said she had not intended to offend anyone and that a letter from Kyoto’s mayor helped her understand the concern.