Fans liked the relaxed and nostalgic vibe of the campaign, but many people online focused on the slogan: “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” The slogan caused a big debate because “jeans” sounds like “genes.” Some people thought this was a clever pun, but others found it offensive and confusing, as per the report by Yahoo Creators.
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Debate over deeper meaning of slogan
Critics said the slogan reminded them of “great genes,” which brings up ideas linked to eugenics — a harmful belief about physical superiority — especially since Sydney is a thin, white, conventionally attractive woman. Some online discussions, like a Reddit thread, called the ad “racist, sexist, and eugenics-coded.” Others felt the campaign didn’t fit with American Eagle’s past messages about being inclusive.
Fans who disagreed with the criticism said it was exaggerated, but many couldn’t ignore the uncomfortable meaning. A viral tweet said, “It’s not that she doesn’t look great in denim. It’s that the campaign implies she’s the standard for it”, as stated by the report by Yahoo Creators.
Despite the arguments, the campaign made American Eagle’s stock rise by 15 to 18% soon after it launched. People on Reddit and Stocktwits even called the company a new “meme stock.”
Jeans for a cause, but mixed reactions
Sydney also helped create a special limited-edition jean style called “The Sydney Jean,” which has a butterfly patch. All money earned from selling these jeans will be donated to Crisis Text Line, an organization helping survivors of domestic violence. Fashion experts liked the butterfly design because it represents growth and change, but opinions on the campaign’s overall message stayed divided. Some people praised Sydney for mixing style with a good cause, while others questioned if the message really matched the charity work, as stated by Yahoo Creators.
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The campaign got a lot of attention, but not all of it was positive. It started a nationwide talk about race, beauty standards, and how brands should act responsibly. The ad brought more young shoppers, especially Gen Z, who love early 2000s fashion but also care about social issues.
Whether this will help sales long-term or cause more criticism is still unknown. Sydney Sweeney’s image is now everywhere online, but people are asking more than just what she’s wearing — they want to know what she represents and what the brand really means by being “clever”, as per the report by Yahoo Creators.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad going viral?
Because the slogan “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” sparked both praise and backlash for its double meaning and message.
Q2. What is The Sydney Jean and where does the money go?
The Sydney Jean is a limited-edition denim by Sydney Sweeney for American Eagle, and all profits go to Crisis Text Line to help domestic violence survivors.
