With over six million views in less than 24 hours, the official music video for “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” by Taylor Swift dropped on August 20, and it’s hard to find a Swiftie that isn’t obsessed. Affectionately known as “ICDIWABH” by fans, this marks the second single (and second music video!) from Swift’s eleventh era album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” The new video combines behind-the-scenes footage from rehearsals for the insanely popular Era’s tour.
If you’ve been playing it on repeat, then you know that the video’s release also means we’ve got a front-row seat to the singer’s favorite activewear picks. We know all the preparation that goes into Swift’s concerts, including a full-fledged lineup for lengthy shows that can be more than three hours long. So, we can surely trust her workout wear recommendations, like the Forme Power Sports Bra, Wiskii Beyond Denim Dress, as tested by our own Shopping editor, and her many finds from Popflex, an activewear brand designed by Cassey Ho (of Blogilates fame).
After Swift made it clear she can’t get enough of Popflex — sporting the fun and flirty Twirl Skort, sleek Corset Bra, and bestselling Pirouette Skort in Digital Lavender — we knew we had to catch up with Ho to get all the details on how the, ahem, love story came to be.
Read our interview with Ho ahead, then shop the 10 bestselling activewear styles on Popflex’s site according to data shared exclusively with PS.
PS: What do you think attracted Swift to Popflex and can you confirm whether she made her own purchases?
Cassey Ho: Even though Taylor has evolved so much over the years (I’ve been a big fan since 2008), I think at heart there will always be that young, inner Taylor who loves dressing up in ballgowns and singing about princess love stories. Because Popflex designs are very romantic and feminine, perhaps the ruffles, corsets and twirly skorts really speak to her soul!
I cannot confirm that it was Taylor Swift herself who placed the order, but I can tell you that we did not gift her, we did not gift her stylist(s), no stylist reached out, and we have no direct contact with Taylor Swift!
PS: What has the response been like for the brand from a sales perspective since the Taylor Swift effect?
CH: There is nothing like the Taylor Swift effect. I feel so lucky and am so grateful for all the positive exposure she has given Popflex. As a long time Swiftie (since ’08), this is beyond a dream come true. Pirouette Skort sales definitely went wild after she first wore it in her YouTube Short!
PS: What is the classic Popflex DNA that differentiates the brand from others on the market?
CH: I always start every design with a WHY. Each design is born from an intention to solve a problem in the most beautiful way possible.
PS: What does your list of bestsellers tell you about the Popflex shopper?
CH: When Taylor first posted us on April 19, it took our already best selling and viral Pirouette Skort to a new level! So I’m not surprised to see three Pirouette Skorts in the top three. Other than that, the color black is always a staple color and these styles are wardrobe basics (leggings, hoodies) that are essential regardless of what your style is.
Popflex Pirouette Skort (Cassey’s Version) in Digital Lavender ($60)
The Pirouette skort is a dancer’s dream, available in a compression level that’s “like a hug” and a performance level that falls between everyday and high impact. It comes with a high-rise, adjustable waist as well as built-in shorts so you won’t have to worry about any VPL. Best of all, we love that the skort is “anti-cameltoe,” according to the site, and even features pockets. It’s functional and stylish, thanks to romantic ruffles which scream very cutesy, mindful, and oh-so-demure.
While sales went wild for the Digital Lavender colorway after Swift wore it in her YouTube Short (after selling out what was already available on the site in minutes, Popflex ended up with 15,000 pre-orders for the exact version), Black ($60) and Tutu Pink ($60) are also within the top 10 bestsellers on the site, according to Ho.
Popflex Active Twirl Skort in Black ($54)
A wardrobe staple, this bouncy skirt is perfect for racket sports, skating, or just lounging in the sun. If you’ve finished your workouts for the week, no worries: you can it wear it out to events, too. It features a high waist, pockets, and built-in shorts for the ultimate marriage of fashion and function.
Ho confirms that skorts are hands down the most popular silhouette on Popflex’s site, though she hopes to see leggings and hoodies pick up in popularity as the seasons change.
Popflex Crisscross Hourglass Leggings With Pockets in Black ($60)
These crisscross leggings come in 10 different shades, though black is the customer favorite. They have a curve-accentuating waistband and you can shop them five different inseam lengths to guarantee your fit. Another perk? There’s a heart-shaped, booty-lifting back seam we can all appreciate.
Popflex Zip Cloud Hoodie in Black ($70)
Aside from the Corset Bra, which Ho says gives her “Bridgerton”-worthy boobs, the Cloud Hoodie is her favorite. “It’s the coziest hoodie ever that’s baggy (but not too baggy) in all the right places,” she tells PS. It’s described on the site as marshmallow-soft and is equipped with cord stoppers on the drawstring, an extra-large hood, and dramatic sleeves.
Popflex Crisscross Hourglass Flared Leggings With Pockets in Black ($65)
The flared leggings trend is picking up steam, and definitely taps into the early aughts look. You can shop this pair in five different lengths and seven different shades — though yet again, black is the most popular. The flare silhouette starts just below the knee and they have a mid-rise. The V-cut in the waistband is made to comfortably highlight an hourglass shape without pinching the skin.
Popflex Supersculpt Flared Leggings With Pockets in Black ($65)
The difference between these leggings and the rest of the models on Popflex’s site is the level of compression. The waistband is wide and smoothing, and the two side pockets are convenient in a pinch. Though they’re meant to feel tighter than other leggings, they’re anti-cameltoe and still comfortably loosen up beyond the knee for a free-flowing effect.
Popflex Hiking Superskort in Black ($65)
We’re big fans of the functionality this skirt provides. With built-in spandex shorts that have their own pockets — on top of the cargo ones on the outer layer — the ruched waistband is pinch-free and the drawstring makes for an adjustable fit. The asymmetrical effect allows for a flirty peek at the shorts underneath. These are available in a total of seven different shades.
Popflex Crisscross Hourglass Twirl Skort in Black ($58)
Available in seven shades, this skort is considered the most curve-flattering on Popflex’s site. The high waistband comes to a cross and the circle skirt is airy and made for spinning. Popflex is so thorough in its descriptions that it even provides different inseam short measurements depending on height, which you can read on the product page.
— Additional reporting by Jade Esmeralda
Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.
Jade Esmeralda, MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.
