Whether you love it or hate it, SKIMS released the “SKIMS Ultimate Nipple Bra” on Oct. 31. One week prior to the bra’s release on the website, SKIMS creator Kim Kardashian starred in a reel posted by @skims on Instagram.
“The bra that broke the Internet is finally here!” SKIMS wrote in an Instagram post after the bra’s release. The bra really did break the Internet — not the first time Kim Kardashian has done so — as social media users posted a frenzy of opinions.
Unpacking the Advertisement
The message of the bra announcement received criticism on social media for contradicting SKIMS’s environmental practices. Kardashian claims that this bra will help climate change and help the wearer get that sexy, always-cold, hard nipple look. The caption of the advertisement states that SKIMS will donate 10% of the bra’s sales to 1% for the Planet.
However, Summer Dean — @climatediva on Instagram — disagrees; she and sustainability expert Jhánneu Roberts — @jhanneu — posted a reel detailing some of the ways SKIMS actively contributes to the climate crisis.
“We are truly living in a ‘Black Mirror’ episode,” Roberts says in the reel.
SKIMS builds many of its products with virgin polyester, a notoriously climate-unfriendly material, making the advertisement’s pro-climate premise ironic. Furthermore, the climate activists highlight some of the issues with SKIMS’s labor practices, such as abuse allegations in their factories.
Social media users raised another aspect of the bra; the nipple bra can help breast cancer survivors and trans women. However, the advertisement did not feature or mention people of these two demographics at all. In the future, maybe SKIMS will create an advertisement featuring trans women and/or breast cancer survivors wearing and loving the nipple bra.
i think it’s genius and super cool that SKIMS is making a “nipple bra” — been reading some of the comments and it’s gotten a lot of positive reception from breast cancer survivors.
— annelisa.eth (@notannelisa) October 27, 2023
more than 100,000 in the US undergo a mastectomy every year + ALL womxn deserve to feel sexy!
lol although women with Breast Cancer or Trans can wear them, i don’t think that was the sole reason for the nipple bra. Kinda think it sends the wrong message fr. https://t.co/ePy35lLl36
— Pumpkin (@sweeetbabym) October 27, 2023
Nipples In Fashion
The nipple bra is a push-up bra that creates lift and shape while highlighting two small, hard nipples. In a 2001 “Sex and the City” episode, Samantha Jones pioneered wearing fake nipples under her shirt. For some, rocking their hard nipples underneath their shirt helps them feel like a paragon of sexiness.
Hard nipples can act as an accessory to a stylish sheer top or a thin baby tee, helping someone embrace a feeling of divine femininity by showing off their breasts. Or, you can style your nipple bra like Kim herself: a skin-tight, monochromatic leggings and turtleneck outfit.
For others, they prefer not to show their nipples. Some may find objectifying what others find empowering, and both sides are acceptable. No matter which category you fall under, showing your nipples or choosing not to do so can help you feel empowered and sexy in different ways.
The Kardashians have set trends in fashion for years. VALLEY predicts that hard nipples will trend as a result of the bra’s release, and other lingerie companies may release nipple bras of their own to keep up with the trend.
Whether you’ve already ordered the nipple bra or think fake nipples look ridiculous, the bra’s hype on social media, its unique style and SKIMS’s widespread loyal consumer base have caused the $62 bra to already sell out in all of its offered sizes and colors.
Do you love the nipple bra? Let us know on @VALLEYmag!
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