Gap's 'Better In Denim' Campaign Outshines American Eagle's Controversial Ad

Everything’s better in denim. 

When Gap released their brand new Better In Denim campaign with rising girl group KATSEYE, it couldn’t have come out at a better time. The commercial, paired with the nostalgic “Milkshake” by Kelis, is now leading to be the brand's most viral ad of all time.

The Y2K inspired campaign launched on August 19, just weeks after American Eagle released their very own denim ad with Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney.

So what’s the big deal? Prior to Gap’s dance commercial, AE had been hit with major backlash from online users after the ad was released with the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” Many criticized the retailer for casting the blonde, blue-eyed actress for an ad with word plays on genetics, calling it tone-deaf.

“It didn’t age well when they did this with Brooke Shields… just saying,” one user commented on TikTok. The criticism seemed to triple when viewers noticed the ad being a nod to an infamous Calvin Klein commercial, starring a then-15-year-old Brooke Shields.

In contrast, Gap's collaboration with the group, composed of Yoonchae Jeung, Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Daniela Avanzini and Manon Bannerman, was thought to be the perfect balance to the scales. Not only did the commercial feature a diverse group of girls, but so were the denim pieces. Low rise, high rise, baggy, flared, each piece felt unique to each person. Many TikTok viewers applauded Gap for promoting inclusivity, while making it feel natural.

Even for those unfamiliar with the global girl group, the stark contrast between the two sparked many discussions online. With the iconic, eye-catching choreo and popping music, Gap’s brilliant commercial has seemed to put Sweeney’s campaign in the rearview.