Exclusive | American Eagle almost paralyzed by body positivity before it launched sultry Sydney Sweeney ads

American Eagle Outfitters has made a bold, divisive bet on its “sultry” Sydney Sweeney ads — but only after its commitment to the “body positivity” movement started to falter, experts told The Post.A decade ago, the mall-based chain’s 20-year-old lingerie brand Aerie famously took off as millennials shunned Victoria’s Secret and its leggy, angel-winged supermodels in favor of Aerie’s ads featuring ordinary women and diverse body types.But recently, American Eagle’s flagging sales show that “inclusive fashion” has its limits — especially after the election of President Trump, experts say.“They were almost paralyzed by their body positivity movement and were cautious about coming across too sexy,” according to retail analyst Gabriella Santaniello, who heads up A-Line Partners.In recent months, the retailer has been pivoting to more provocative looks — even before the Sweeney campaign rocked the internet late last month, Santaniello said.String bikinis and “cheeky bottoms” that expose more of women’s butts, for example, were previously only available on American Eagle’s website, but started cropping up in its stores earlier this year, she noted.Susan Scafidi, director of the Fashion Law Institute, has likewise noticed “edgier” looks and “more sultry styling.“This means featuring fewer boxy t-shirts and more cropped camisoles,” she said.What’s more — unlike competitors including Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and the Gap — some pages on American Eagle’s website have lately shown models going braless under various tops — and they aren’t always subtle about it.“All of the teen retailers shy away from the nipple,” Santaniello said.

“That’s why it’s so odd that they’re going for it.”Then, in late July, came the Sweeney spots.In one video, the “White Lotus” and “Euphoria” star tinkers under the hood of a vintage Mustang GT350 before slamming it shut, wiping her hands on the butt of her ...