Just a day after Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift announced their engagement online, Kelce revealed his partnership with American Eagle Outfitters — for a limited-edition clothing line.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is the clothing and apparel retailer headquartered in South Side, which recently went viral over a controversial denim campaign starring actress Sydney Sweeney.
The campaign’s tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” sparked backlash, TribLive previously reported, with some accusing the ads of making nods to white supremacy by teasing the idea of eugenics, a discredited scientific theory that the human population would be improved by breeding out less desirable traits.
In a Wednesday post to his Instagram page @killatrav, Kelce is shown in a promotional video for the new American Eagle collection, which is a partnership with Kelce’s already established clothing brand called Tru Kolors.
Kelce’s brand, with the slogan “Live to Play,” was launched in 2019 and is a combination of sports and lifestyle wear. Its collaboration with American Eagle has been more than a year in the making.
The first drop of the collection titled “AE x Tru Kolors by Travis Kelce” came out on Wednesday. A second drop will launch on Sept. 24. It includes over 90 pieces priced between $14.95 and $179.95, such as vintage-inspired tees, varsity jackets, cricket sweaters, rugby polos, utility cargos, cashmere sets and more.
Pieces from the collection can be purchased online or in stores.
“Excited to finally share what we’ve been cookin’ up ‼️” Kelce wrote in the caption. “We had so much fun creating this collection, and we can’t wait to see y’all rockin it.”
Kelce tapped friends and fellow athletes to star in the collaboration, including rising tennis star Anna Frey, elite basketball guard Azzi Fudd, quarterback Drew Allar, the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver recruit Jeremiah Smith, top basketball prospect Kiyan Anthony and gold medalist and world-class gymnast Suni Lee.
Allar is quarterback for Pennsylvania’s own Penn State Nittany Lions.
“It was an awesome opportunity to team up with an established brand where both sides were excited to truly collaborate on every decision in the design and creative process,” Kelce said. “I want everyone to feel like there is something for them in the collection, something they can feel good in and make their own. I’m excited for it to finally be out in the world.”
American Eagle said Kelce and his team were involved in “every step” of the process, taking on a hands-on role as creative director.
“AE x Tru Kolors by Travis Kelce merges fashion, sports and culture — pairing the No. 1 jeans brand for Gen Z with one of the most recognizable faces in football and entertainment,” the announcement said. “Every detail and product in this collection underscores AE and Kelce’s shared passion for creating pieces that exude confidence while feeling personal, purposeful and versatile.”
The collection be featured in a partnership with NFL news podcast The Ringer and takeovers within fantasy sports content, alongside social platform and TV ads, American Eagle said.
“AE and Tru Kolors are rooted in optimism, self expression and confidence — and we share a passion for empowering everyone to feel like their true self when wearing our products,” said Jennifer Foyle, president and executive creative director at American Eagle Outfitters. “Travis’ infectious energy and dedication to every aspect of the collaboration brought a refreshing spirit to the team, inspiring us to explore bespoke fabrics and fits to showcase this collection through his distinct style and perspective.”
Though American Eagle defended the Sweeney ad, saying it “is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone,” people are now speaking out online following Kelce’s partnership with the company.
travis kelce doing a collab with american eagle even after sydney sweeney fiasco… pic.twitter.com/TBGXcS0V1b
— ???? (@aimeelouwoods) August 27, 2025
American Eagle said Sydney who? Look at Travis Kelce who is now famously engaged to Taylor Swift, we don’t know a Sydney ???? pic.twitter.com/KF2qghqieF
— AshlynAllTheTime (@AshlynOnAir) August 27, 2025
acabei de ver que o travis kelce assinou uma coleção com a AMERICAN EAGLE
………………………………………………………………………. pic.twitter.com/uVqGuG1GGJ— thay barañano ???????? (@thaybaranano) August 27, 2025
Now people are mad Travis Kelce has an American Eagle ad? Isn’t this tiring? Like you have to be tired ?
— Paulie Bruz (@Paulie_Bruz) August 27, 2025
First Sydney Sweeney, now Travis Kelce…
American Eagle really wants this breakout. $AEO ???? pic.twitter.com/dN39y4Rz97
— morgan vanderbilt (@TrendSpiderVan) August 28, 2025
American Eagle Outfitters Inc shares rose Wednesday after NFL star Travis Kelce’s engagement to pop icon Taylor Swift, with investors reacting positively to a timely brand collaboration. Following the announcement, American Eagle unveiled its AE x Tru Kolors by Travis Kelce…
— Top Stock Alerts (@TopStockAlerts1) August 27, 2025
