Kim Kardashian loves shapewear. She loves it so much that she created her own shapewear label, SKIMS, which launched last year. Like most things the Kardashians put their names on, the brand hasn't been without controversy. There was backlash over the brand's original name, which Kim ultimately changed. But many people praised the brand for being size-inclusive.
Still, the idea that women need shapewear to make their bodies more palatable is insulting to some. Body-positive advocates are quick to point out that stuffing our bodies into uncomfortable clothing that constricts our thighs, hips, and bellies feels a bit archaic. And now Kim K. has taken her brand one step further by launching a new line of maternity shapewear.
The new line definitely has people talking, with many criticizing the brand and Kim for the very idea that pregnant women should have to try to mold their bodies at all. But Kim is speaking out, and she has a lot to say to her critics.
Kim recently started promoting her brand-new line of maternity shapewear. She posted a photo on Instagram recently, and since then, her critics have been raising their voices. "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," she wrote.
The line officially drops on September 16. But already there has been a ton of backlash. Body-positive advocates were quick to speak out. One commenter said, "whoa now. Pregnant women don't need any shaping. Just please, let them exist!" And there is a lot to be said to that point. I mean, why should a pregnant woman, who is doing a very important job simply by existing, feel like she needs to stuff herself into shapewear to appear a certain way? Honestly, if we can't embrace our bodies and just let them do what they need to do when pregnant, when can we?
The always outspoken Jameela Jamil had a lot to say about the new line. Kim likely expected it. Jameela has been a critic of the Kardashians for years given that they often promote products that aren't always super body-positive but also may be questionable or unsafe, like diet pills and waist-trainers.
Jameela posted her thoughts about the products on Instagram, saying, "I wish we could just Normalize just focusing on the inside of a pregnant body, not the outside. You don't need your shape corrected or hidden. You don't need an even more awkward obstacle between you and a piss. You just need to try and ride with this miracle and do your best to be as happy/comfortable as is possible within your circumstances. Pregnancy is hard enough, with enough worries already."
Many people agreed with Jameela and called out Kim's brand for promoting unhealthy pregnancy ideals. There was a lot of "leave women alone!" and "stop shaming women!" Then Chrissy Teigen, who is pregnant with her third child, weighed in. Chrissy actually had a very different take on maternity shapewear.
Chrissy posted in her Instagram stories, posing in the shapewear. She said that maternity shapewear is incredibly comfortable, comes up over her belly, and really, just feels all around great on a pregnant body. Pregnant bellies sometimes need a little extra support. Chrissy is definitely a huge fan.
She also took to Twitter to discuss the whole ordeal. "On the controversy that is pregnancy shapewear: it's not to be smaller. these brands aren't pressuring us to be smaller. thanks for looking out for us everyone but we're good."
Seems like Chrissy has a very different opinion on that matter, for sure. She actually seems to feel like maternity shapewear is a good thing, and it isn't about shaming women at all.
However you look at it, it's a really interesting conversation. It's also important to talk about issues surrounding women's bodies. While shapewear might feel comfortable on some women, others find it constricting. But the important thing is that women shouldn't feel shamed for their bodies, whether pregnant or at any other time.
Jameela shot back again, saying that she wasn't just commenting on shapewear being uncomfortable or constricting, or bad for women in general. She was really commenting on the idea, which can be found just about anywhere, that women's bodies need conforming. And those points are certainly valid.
One of the great (and often obnoxious) things about the internet is that everyone can have an opinion and put it out there for the world to agree or disagree with. But at the end of the day, there is great value to women sharing their opinions about how brands and products make them feel. It pushes companies to strive to do better and be more inclusive and, hopefully, body positive.
