We have news for those who have been blissfully oblivious about the latest lingerie debate online. Kim Kardashian recently launched SKIMS’ newest product, the Ultimate Nipple Push-Up Bra, with a controversial video. And as you probably are already anticipating, the internet has thoughts. 

“Ultimate nipple what?” You say? We’re with you.

If you’ve been lucky enough to skip the nipple bra debate, you must belong to that small percentage of non-chronically online people — stay blessed! However, if you’re here, you probably want to figure out what the controversy is about, and we have you covered!

A few weeks ago, TV personality and brand founder Kim Kardashian took to social media to announce the release of a new SKIMS product. SKIMS, ICYMI, is Kardashian’s shapewear, swimwear, and loungewear, which shot to popularity because of its surprisingly — we say “surprisingly” because the brand initially sparked a backlash — inclusive sizes and colors.   

What was all the fuzz about?

Something that Kardashian introduced as the” ultimate nipple push-up bra.” SKIMS promised this item would bestow “Perfect fullness with a built-in, faux nipple for shock factor.” Retailing at $62 — not right now because it’s sold out! — this is a nylon and spandex augmentation bra with a faux nipple detail that serves as the “ultimate” piece to simulate a “braless” look — only that, evidently, you’re not braless.

Now, what’s all the talk about?

Well, for starters, Kardashian’s “funny, tongue-in-cheek” video introduction was, according to some people, tasteless and not funny at all. Scripted by Michelle Wolf — an American comedian, scriptwriter, and producer who has shared credits on gigs such as Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah — the video showed Kardashian presenting the new product. 

“The Earth’s temperature is getting hotter and hotter,” she said, clad in a nude body-hugging look. “The sea levels are rising. The ice sheets are sinking. And I’m not a scientist. But I do believe everyone can use their skill set to do their part. That’s why I’m introducing a brand-new bra with a built-in nipple, so no matter how hot it is, you’ll always look cold,” she added as she showed off the bra’s design diagram.

“Some days are hard, but these nipples are harder,” Kardashian said as she sat on the edge of a desk. “And unlike the icebergs, these aren’t going anywhere.” YIKES. 

Reactions, of course, were divided

Some of the first people to share their adverse reactions were climate activists. The comment section was quickly filled with complaints and angry messages. 

Even organizations stepped into the conversation, “Using melting glaciers and rising sea levels as a punchline to improve your profit margins makes a mockery of an issue that is devastating millions of people’s lives,” wrote Green Peace UK. “We desperately need global icons like Kim to champion the fight against climate change. […] Kim’s new advert perpetuates the harmful profit-driven system accelerating the climate crisis and diverts attention away from more impactful actions,” the organization added. 

It didn’t help that SKIMS announced they would donate 10% of the bra sales to 1% for the Planet, a network of businesses and environmental organizations.

“Are you fucking kidding. I understand satire, but this was ill-timed and badly written,” a user commented under the Instagram post. 

But the controversy didn’t end there

Content creators sharing their experience with the bra are also receiving divided opinions in their comment sections. Beauty vlogger Iris Beilin recently posted a review of the bra, and some comments are dripping with negativity, from moralist takes to body shaming — also YIKES. 

“Definitely attention-seeking bra,” someone wrote. 

“I just feel like we have no decorum anymore ????,” another user commented.

Thankfully, not everything is about negativity and misdirected shaming.

“I love it because the more women’ free the nip,’ the more comfortable I will feel with my natural pointy ones. We never should have started the trend of trying to cover them up. They’re natural!” someone else wrote under Iris’ posts. 

Another user added humorously, “I love being able to have this look because there’s no way I can go braless — nips pointing to the floor ????”

Women are also shedding light on nipple sexualization and the lengths they actually go to cover their nipples. “Hell no. Why would anyone want to intentionally show their nipples? I’ve worn bandaids to cover them,” a comment read.  

Beyond opinions from internet users, there is a particular demographic loving Kim’s bra

Despite the backlash and divided points of view, there is a group of people who consider the nipple bra a genius idea. Breast cancer survivors are definitely in for this design and have not hesitated to show support for SKIMS’ new product, which they consider a great alternative for people who underwent a mastectomy.

“As someone with a double mastectomy, I appreciate this!????????” an Instagram user wrote under SKIMS’ post. 

Another popular comment read, “This is hitting breast cancer baddies differently ???? Thank you!”

Now that we’ve taken you through this online debate, what are your thoughts?

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