059: SKIMS Stripped Down This Ad—Maybe Too Much?

Nailed the Look, But Missed the Hook

Author

Chase Mohseni
March 17, 2025

Hello, you powerful Creatives!

Welcome to Volume 5️⃣9️⃣ of Creative Cuts 🔪 - your weekly dose of creative strategy from your friends at CreativeOS.

Today, we’re going to go over an ad with you and give some great takeaways so you:

  • Understand the quality of the assets

  • Strength of copy

  • Psychology used to convert customers

  • And how you can leverage these tactics easily

Now that you know what you’re in for, onto the show 👊

Best,

Chase

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Skim’s Ad 💪

What’s working ❤️‍🔥:

  1. Minimalist, Premium Aesthetic
    The clean, neutral background and grid layout create a polished, high-end feel. This simplicity aligns with SKIMS’ modern, sleek, and aspirational branding, making the ad visually appealing and easy to digest.

  2. Product Variety on Display
    Featuring multiple styles and colors in one frame allows for effortless browsing. Consumers can instantly see the range of fits and tones available, which helps reduce friction in the buying decision.

  3. Strong Pricing Incentive
    The "3 for $36" deal is positioned clearly, making the value-driven offer impossible to miss. Bundled pricing encourages customers to purchase more, increasing average order value while making the deal feel rewarding.

  4. Bold, Recognizable Branding
    The SKIMS logo is large and distinct, reinforcing brand recognition. The custom font choice keeps the aesthetic consistent with SKIMS’ existing branding, ensuring the ad remains instantly recognizable.

  5. Universal Appeal & Inclusivity
    The diverse range of skin-tone-inspired colors makes the ad feel inclusive, appealing to a wide audience. This subtle yet effective messaging strengthens emotional connections with potential buyers.

What Could Be Better 🔨

  1. Lack of Lifestyle or Human Element
    The ad feels a bit sterile, as it lacks models or real-life context. Without seeing the product worn, customers may struggle to visualize the fit, comfort, and stretch. Including a lifestyle image, either in a carousel format or as a secondary ad, would make the product feel more tangible.

  2. No Call to Action (CTA)
    The ad doesn’t provide a clear next step for the viewer. Without a directive, engagement and conversions may drop. Adding a strong CTA like “Shop Now” or “Pick Your 3” would guide users toward making a purchase.

  3. Missed Opportunity for Urgency
    While the "3 for $36" deal is compelling, there’s no immediate reason to act. Scarcity-driven messaging like “Limited Colors Available” or “Selling Fast” would create urgency, increasing conversions.

  4. Flat Product Display
    While the grid format is clean, it lacks depth or texture. The ad could feel more dynamic by adding subtle shadow effects, close-up fabric details, or a motion-based creative, such as a GIF showing fabric stretch.

  5. No Social Proof or Brand Storytelling
    SKIMS has a highly loyal customer base and strong credibility, but the ad doesn’t leverage this. Including a short customer review or a mention of the brand’s popularity—like “Over 1 Million Happy Customers”—would reinforce trust and desirability.

What To Do 📈

  1. Incorporate a Lifestyle Image for Context
    Show the product on a model to enhance relatability and help shoppers visualize the fit and comfort.

  2. Add a Clear CTA to Drive Action
    Include a direct, action-driven phrase like “Shop Now” or “Build Your Bundle” to improve click-through rates.

  3. Introduce Urgency to Increase Conversions
    Use FOMO-based copy, such as “Limited Stock—Pick Your 3 Before They’re Gone!” to encourage immediate action.

  4. Enhance Product Presentation
    Improve visual appeal with fabric close-ups, subtle shadows, or motion (GIFs/videos) to make the product feel more tangible.

  5. Leverage Social Proof
    Highlight SKIMS’ massive customer base or showcase a quick UGC snippet to reinforce trust and credibility.

That’s all! If you’re looking to find inspiration or get the best ad templates out there, come hang out with us at CreativeOS and tell your friends!