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Independent holiday product guide · 2026

SKIMS Advent Calendar 2026: What's Inside, Backlash & Refunds

The 2026 SKIMS Advent Calendar was a 12-day accessories gift box with a reported original U.S. price of $148. After unboxing videos raised questions about the value of its hair accessories, keychains and other small items, SKIMS said it had contacted purchasers and offered refunds or store credit. Here's what was inside, what happened, and where buyers can find official help. 1 2

Last fact-checked: November 11, 2026 · Independent guide, not affiliated with SKIMS

Quick links: See what's inside · What happened? · Refund information

Illustration of the SKIMS 2026 12-day Accessories Advent Calendar gift box
Illustrative recreation based on SKIMS packaging · Original reference and product details

Quick facts

Original reported U.S. price

$148 1 2

Format

12 numbered days of accessories, not a 25-day underwear calendar 1 3

Latest reported response

Purchasers offered a full refund or SKIMS store credit, depending on the option taken 2

Latest update: SKIMS responds to complaints

November 9–11, 2026: Bloomberg, as published by The Business of Fashion, reported that SKIMS removed the $148 calendar from its website after criticism of its contents. The company told media outlets that it had reached out to customers with a refund or store-credit offer. 2 4 This guide does not provide live inventory or order-specific refund eligibility.

What happened to the SKIMS Advent Calendar?

The launch attracted attention after creators began sharing unboxing videos online. Viewers saw a series of small accessories instead of the clothing or higher-value assortment that some shoppers had hoped for. The comparison between the $148 price and the items shown in the videos became the center of the debate. 1 3

The reaction wasn't unanimous: the calendar was described as an accessories product, and its individual items were listed in product information reproduced by news outlets. The disagreement was largely over perceived value, rather than whether the calendar was advertised as containing underwear. 3 5

Read the controversy timeline.

What's inside the 12-day calendar?

This is the 12-day Accessories Advent Calendar, not SKIMS' separate 25-day Panty Advent Calendar. Reported contents include a bear keychain, hair elastics, satin scrunchies, bobby pins, clips, elastic headbands, a SKIMS-branded squishy, a comb keychain and a compact-mirror keychain. Some types of accessory appear more than once across the 12 days. 3 5

There are 12 numbered compartments, not necessarily 12 individual pieces: several compartments contain multipacks. For the day-by-day breakdown and source notes, visit the full contents guide.

See all 12 days.

2026 product covered here12-day Accessories Advent Calendar

Hair accessories, keychains and a small squishy.

Separate product25-day Panty Advent Calendar

Underwear, not the twelve accessories listed here.

Is the SKIMS Advent Calendar worth $148?

At the reported original $148 U.S. price, the calendar averaged about $12.33 per numbered day ($148 divided by 12). Several days held multipacks, so that figure is not the market price of each individual accessory. The published list also repeated satin scrunchies and bobby pins. 2 3 5

Whether the calendar is worth that price depends on how many of the actual gifts you would use and how much you value the SKIMS brand and gift-box experience. This is an analysis of published information, not a hands-on review.

See all 12 days and calculate the cost per gift you would use.

Reported U.S. original price$148
Numbered compartments12
Average per day, not item value$12.33

Watch an original unboxing

For a closer look at the actual items, watch Henna Ali's original TikTok unboxing. Her video is linked in BuzzFeed's day-by-day coverage. The footage shows what a creator opened; it is not a substitute for SKIMS' official order terms. 5

Explore the full day-by-day contents and unboxing: See the 12-day breakdown

Original video: @thehennaali / TikTok · Watch at source

Why did the calendar face backlash?

Several creators and commenters said the accessories felt underwhelming for the price. Hair ties, bobby pins and keychains became central examples in the discussion, while the unboxing format made shoppers' immediate reactions highly visible. Those are consumer opinions; they should not be mistaken for an independent valuation of every item. 1 3 4

SKIMS' response focused on customers' expectations. The company acknowledged dissatisfaction and offered purchasers ways to resolve the situation. 2 4

Read what happened and how SKIMS responded.

What did SKIMS say about refunds?

According to the company's response reported on November 9, customers who bought the calendar were contacted with an offer involving a full refund or store credit. Bloomberg reported that returning the product was the route to a full refund, while keeping it could mean receiving store credit. 2 The exact terms for a particular order should be confirmed from the message received from SKIMS or from its support team.

If you bought the calendar, check your order email first, keep your order number handy, and use SKIMS' official contact page for the next step. 6

Read the buyer refund guide.

Can you still buy the SKIMS Advent Calendar?

Availability reports have differed over time. CBS News described the calendar as sold out with a waitlist on November 9, while Bloomberg reported on the same date that the item had been removed from SKIMS' website. 1 2 On November 11, the previously linked SKIMS Accessories Advent Calendar product URL redirected to a general accessories collection in the region checked. That is not proof of worldwide availability or permanent discontinuation.

For purchase or restock questions, check SKIMS directly rather than relying on an old screenshot.

Frequently asked questions

How much was the 2026 SKIMS Advent Calendar?

The reported original U.S. price was $148. That is the price discussed in news coverage of the 12-day accessories version; it is not a live offer. 1 2

What was inside the SKIMS Advent Calendar?

The calendar included 12 days of small accessories such as hair elastics, scrunchies, clips, bobby pins, keychains, headbands and a compact-mirror keychain. Some days contained packs of several pieces. 3 5

Why were shoppers upset?

Many people who posted or commented on unboxing videos felt the contents did not match the $148 price. Their criticism was about value and expectations, not a verified defect affecting every product. 1 3

Is SKIMS giving refunds?

SKIMS said it contacted purchasers about a full refund or store-credit option. The applicable process for your order is best confirmed from SKIMS' own message or customer service. 2 4 6

Is the calendar still in stock?

This guide cannot confirm live stock. Reports on November 9 described different states, including a waitlist and removal of the listing. Check the current official channel in your region. 1 2

Sources and further reading

Editorial note: This independent guide summarizes publicly reported information and links to original sources. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by SKIMS.