Kim Kardashian Responded to Backlash Over Her Skims Maternity Collection

Kim Kardashian Responded to Backlash Over Her Skims Maternity Collection

Critics say the range of shapewear is sending pregnant women the wrong message.

Update 9/14/20: Kim Kardashian has addressed the controversy about her Skims maternity line. In a series of tweets, she said, "To anyone who has an issue with maternity solutionwear, and if you haven't been pregnant before you may not know the struggle of what it's like carrying all of this weight the way I did along with millions of strong women, @skims maternity line is not to slim but to support."

She added, "The belly part doesn't slim your belly. It's actually sheer and a thinner layered material compared to the rest of the garment. It provides support to help with the uncomfortable weight being carried in your stomach which affects your lower back -and the compression on the leggings helps with pain relief caused by swelling."

"We launched this category in response to the tens of thousands of pregnant women who wrote us requesting it and because it was something I personally needed when I was pregnant myself," she said, concluding, "Based on the majority of positive feedback we have received so far from pregnant women around the world, I am incredibly proud to provide a solution that will provide comfort and support during the times that we all need it most, during pregnancy and after."

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Kim Kardashian's new Skims maternity range hasn't even hit the shelves, and it's already causing controversy.

On Saturday, the reality star announced the upcoming launch of the range of shapewear she created specifically for pregnant women on social media, writing: "What you’ve been waiting for: @SKIMS Maternity is coming soon! Introducing Maternity Solutionwear that offers the best in comfort and support for your changing body during and after pregnancy."

Kardashian proceeded to give fans a glimpse at the lineup of sculpting bras, underwear, and bodysuits on her Instagram Stories. “If only there were cute bras that were holding you up and snatching you and making you feel better about yourself while you can breastfeed, that would have been everything to me,” she said in one clip, while in another video she described the brand's high-waisted briefs, assuring her followers that its "belly thinness" fabric wouldn't compress the stomach, but would "shape everything else around it" — including the booty.

Shortly after the announcement, the new collection was met with criticism. Many people accused Kim of sending the wrong message to pregnant women about their changing bodies, pressuring them to stay thin. "Just let people enjoy their pregnancy without thinking they need to maintain the perfect figure," wrote one user on Twitter, while another commented: "Excuse my ignorance but who’s tryna shape their pregnant bodies? Y’all don’t like being comfy and free and loose when pregnant? It’s pretty much the only time you can be as shapeless and free and comfy as you want!”

One critic sarcastically added, "I'm sure that's the one thing pregnant women need above all! Being pressed into a slimmer figure."

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However, some fans came to Kardashian's defense, with one explaining that shapewear for pregnant women is not an entirely new concept. "Sorry ladies but shape wear for pregnant women is not a new thing," a supporter tweeted. "They sell them at maternity shops all over. I wore one through both of my pregnancy. It held my baby belly up while wearing dresses."

Kim has yet to respond to the backlash.