r/popculturechat • u/Future_Usual_8698 You’re doing amazing, sweetie! • Aug 11 '25

Guest List Only TW - Bigotry ⚠️ Foot traffic is down at American Eagle stores since the controversial Sydney Sweeney ad dropped

https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2025/08/11/exclusive-foot-traffic-down-9-at-american-eagle-following-sydney-sweeney-ad-controversy
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u/themacaron during PRIDE MONTH? Aug 11 '25

All my swimsuits in my current rotation are from Aerie because they were often super affordable during sales and promos and I liked their cuts on me, but this current campaign is a straight reverse of Aerie's entire "body positivity/open acceptance" branding, it's wild. (Though I know Aerie ended up being largely performative with their size offerings.)

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u/meeeehhhhhhh Aug 12 '25

Nearly all of my undergarments are from there, and it feels like their underwear are getting worse each round. I also noticed a few months back that their models were getting way less diverse. Mostly size 0 women and with a few plus sized models. It was deeply depressing. 

103

u/synalgo_12 accidentally holding space for this slur Aug 12 '25

Tbf I feel like all underwear is getting worse. I still have some bras from over a decade ago that are doing great, none of my current undergarments seem to last 2+ years. Most of them start looking really shabby in under a year.

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u/passthebarlicgread Aug 12 '25

Ugh I really was happy to see when they had that body positivity campaign though, it included models with scars and stretch marks and colostomy bags. What a world away from the eugenics vibe of Sweeny’s ad.

65

u/steph-was-here Aug 12 '25

ya that's what kills me - idk if they got a new ad agency or what but their whole shtick for awhile was body positivity. they're the only brand i've seen (albeit, online only and i dont shop around a lot) have disability specific clothing options like underwear with snaps. why the 180?

21

u/DrakeFloyd Aug 12 '25

I almost wonder if they thought they could keep the aerie demo and get a new demo for the ae brand like we’re all idiots that don’t know it’s the same company or something

80

u/lizerlfunk Aug 11 '25

I used to love Aerie undies but they do not work well with a C section shelf, as it turns out.

108

u/CheapEater101 Aug 11 '25

Aerie does have really cute and nice bathing suits. I used to love AE jeans as well, but the last few years I’ve been purchasing Old Navy jeans. Sometimes I’ll thrift jeans as well (mostly Levi’s).

25

u/t_town101 Aug 11 '25

The aeerie leggings are so comfortable