Kim Kardashian and fashion always go hand in hand, and sometimes the socialite surprises us with her products. This time is no exception: she recently unveiled underwear with faux pubic hair, designed to give the illusion of an unshaved intimate area. But beyond the shock factor, let’s talk about the disturbing inspiration behind it.
The Kardashian–Jenner clan is everywhere in entertainment and fashion lately. If it’s not Kylie Jenner making her musical debut — and bringing back her “King Kylie” era with the teal hair that made her famous — it’s Kim, who decided to expand her SKIMS clothing line.
Kim Kardashian’s “Hairy” Underwear
Her new line, called “The Ultimate Bush,” introduces the “Faux Hair Panty,” meant to evoke the retro 1970s aesthetic — a time when having a full bush was apparently the trend. The models vary: some are curly, straight, or wild, depending on how much hair you want to show off.
Although Kim Kardashian’s pieces seem to have already sold out, the internet quickly recalled what may have inspired her — and the unsettling reason behind it. People remembered one of the strangest inventions in history: the merkin, essentially a pubic wig used by women as far back as the 1450s.
The merkin was created not only for aesthetics but also for “health.” In the 15th century, it was used to cover sores from sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, which spread widely among people who visited sex workers.
It was also worn by women who had to shave due to these infections, yet at the time, pubic hair was considered desirable — so the merkin allowed them to maintain the illusion of it. Now, in the 21st century, Kim Kardashian seems to have drawn inspiration from that same concept to bring pubic hair back into fashion.