Retro '70s-Inspired Undergarments Featuring Synthetic Bush Draw Backlash for Being 'Obscene,' Yet Fly Off Virtual Racks in Record Time

October 15, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA – Kim Kardashian's shapewear empire Skims has once again redefined boundaries in the lingerie world, launching a provocative new line of thongs adorned with faux pubic hair that has split opinions faster than a viral TikTok. Dubbed the "Faux Hair Micro String Thong" or cheekily branded as the "Ultimate Bush" collection, the $32 undies—available in 12 curly and straight shade variations—sold out across all sizes in under 24 hours after dropping Tuesday, leaving fans scrambling and critics howling.

The handcrafted pieces, made from super-sheer stretch mesh, pay homage to the untamed '70s aesthetic of full-frontal foliage, complete with a retro campaign evoking the era's free-spirited vibe. Kardashian, 45, teased the release on Instagram with sultry black-and-white visuals, positioning the thongs as a "daring" celebration of body positivity and natural beauty in an age of over-grooming. "Embrace the bush revolution," her caption read, sparking over 5 million likes and a flood of memes before the stock vanished.

But the buzz has been as divisive as it is deafening. Fashion insiders and social media users have lambasted the product as "obscene" and unnecessary, questioning whether Kardashian has pushed her boundary-testing brand too far. "This isn't empowerment; it's a gimmick gone wrong," one Vogue contributor quipped in a scathing review, while others decried it as tone-deaf amid ongoing conversations about women's autonomy over their bodies. Reality TV alum Bethenny Frankel didn't hold back on her podcast, calling the thongs "a desperate grab for relevance" and urging followers to "skip the bush and stick to basics."

On X (formerly Twitter), the reaction was a whirlwind of confusion and chaos. One viral post from entertainment outlet theJasmineBRAND captured the sentiment: "Kim Kardashian & SKIMS Drop New Hairy Thong – Fans Are A Bit Confused," accompanied by images of the curly-clad undies that racked up hundreds of views and replies ranging from "What in the wild west?" to "Finally, authenticity in intimates!" Nigerian media site Crisp Nigeria piled on, headlining their take: "Has Kim Kardashian gone too far? Why her $32 'hairy thong' from SKIMS is causing chaos online."

Despite the uproar, the sell-out success underscores Skims' ironclad grip on the $25 billion global intimates market, where Kardashian's line—valued at over $4 billion—continues to dominate with inclusive sizing and celebrity endorsements. Sources close to the brand tell WWD that restocks are already in production, with expansions planned for full-coverage panties and bikinis in the faux hair family. "Kim knows how to turn heads and empty warehouses," a Skims insider noted. "Love it or loathe it, everyone's talking."

Kardashian, ever the provocateur, has yet to address the backlash directly, but her history of leaning into controversy—from her infamous 2014 Paper magazine "break the internet" shoot to Skims' nude-shade expansions—suggests this is just another chapter in her playbook. As the "bush" thongs become the hottest resale item on eBay, one thing's clear: In the world of Kim K, even pubic hair can be profitable. Skims representatives confirmed to TMZ that the line is a limited-edition drop, with no immediate plans for mainstream retail beyond the website.