Cassey Ho's Blog, page 21

How Having Kids Changed My Perspective on Body Image

Body image is talked about as a finite thing, as if it’s something you learn or “fix” once, and move on with your life. 

The truth is, it’s a project that requires ongoing upkeep; Definitely not finite. It’s not even linear. The way we see ourselves changes by the day. Sometimes, by the minute. 

Even as a dietitian who is passionate about body positivity, I have my moments. When my favorite shorts feel snug, when my workout routine is off track, or after an indulgent meal, the familiar insecure feeling shows up. 

Throughout my journey as a mom, I’ve become hyperaware of my body image.

The way it changes feels a little like a pendulum. It’s often dramatic, with big, sweeping swings from one end of the spectrum to the other. 

This tracks with the dramatic changes our bodies go through as moms, right? But it doesn’t end when you have the baby. Whether your body returns to “normal” or forms a new normal, the body image pendulum continues to swing.

A glimpse into my pre-kids body image

Before pregnancy, my body never felt good enough. Why did genetics equip me with thighs that always touch, no matter what I weigh? Why did I stop growing at 5 feet tall, never seeing another inch after 12 years old? 

In those pre-kids days, I dreamt of thighs that didn’t touch, hip bones that stuck out, and visible abs. Looking back, the distortion is so obvious.

But as the idea of becoming a mom grew into a reality, my body goals changed. As I prepared to get pregnant, I wanted to be in the best shape of my life. Full transparency – This wasn’t ONLY to be healthy for my pregnancy. Deep down I knew that being in great shape would help me “bounce back” afterwards.

It feels gross to type that…but we’re here to speak the truth.

Miscarriage

Getting pregnant the first time was easy. And then, life served me a major wake-up call. Well, TWO wake-up calls. 

First, sometimes your body fails you with no explanation.  

Second, I didn’t expect losing a baby to affect my body image as heavily as it did. People don’t really talk in depth about miscarriage, much less mention how ugly they felt afterward. It feels too vain. Too selfish.

I was angry because my body failed me, and although I was only 10 weeks along, I had to cope with the early pregnancy changes that didn’t result in a baby. 

My slightly squishier tummy and added 5 pounds constantly reminded me of the rug that was swept out from under us. 

Pregnancy

When I became pregnant again and made it far enough along to breathe a little, the pendulum wasn’t swinging often, but each swing was violent. I knew change was coming, yet still felt disconnected from myself.

The phase where I looked like I’d just eaten too much for dinner was the hardest. There’s no beautiful bump, yet nothing really fits.

Do you hide the tummy or embrace it at this point? Even my underwear felt too tight, and it drove me to the point of tears. In the morning, I’d look mostly normal. But by bedtime, my body looked like it was someone else’s.

Later in pregnancy, I felt beautiful and powerful…most of the time. It’s normal to gain weight in places other than your belly, and I knew that. But that didn’t make it any easier when I noticed more cellulite on my thighs. I anxiously checked for stretch marks daily.

I held onto every comment about how I looked, good or bad.

“Wow, you’re all belly!” 

“You’re getting huge.”

“You’re so tiny.”

 

I heard it all, and every comment stuck with me.

There were times I dreaded getting dressed because finding something I felt good in seemed impossible. I’d compare myself to effortlessly stylish pregnant women (online and IRL) and wonder if I just didn’t have the body to be cute like them. 

I know, it’s a silly thing to worry about while growing a human. We’ll blame some of those feels on the hormones. 

Overall, these negative body image swings were few and far between. But I remember them clearly.

The Fourth Trimester

There’s no “official” timeframe for the fourth trimester, but for me, it was the period of time when my body did not feel like my own. 

18 months postpartum. The amount of time I breastfed both of my sons.

Immediately postpartum, I was shocked by how weak my core was (why doesn’t anyone warn you about this?!). I felt sooo squishy and didn’t recognize my body. The thought of “starting over” with my workouts felt discouraging.

This, plus healing everywhere else and serving as the only source of nutrition for my babies…yeah. Makes sense that my body felt foreign for a while. 

I lost weight really quickly with my oldest son, not only because I was breastfeeding (and overproducing at that), but because I was probably undereating due to stress. While you might think I was excited to be “lucky” in this way, the truth is, I felt SO weak. I lost so much muscle mass that I felt soft and shapeless.

Eventually, I got back into some semblance of a workout routine (this is an entirely different story), and gained some muscle back. And then, I stopped breastfeeding… and gained weight. 

Now, this was only a few pounds, back to my “pre-baby weight.” Again, I expected this and thought I was prepared for it to happen. But that body image pendulum swung HARD. 

The clothes I bought in smaller sizes for those 18 months suddenly felt too snug, and I was coming to grips with the fact that in some ways, my body was changed forever. 

The journey continues

Now my kids are 2 and 5. I feel like my body is “mine” again, or at least a new version that I’ve accepted over time. The body image pendulum still swings, but for different reasons. 

I notice it correlates with self-care. This isn’t groundbreaking information, but still took some time for me to learn.

When I’m in a season of high motivation, the kids are sleeping well (which means I am sleeping well too), and our routine grooves so I have time for daily movement and prepping veggies, I feel great. 

But then there are seasons when for whatever reason, some or all of those things hit the fan. And during those times, when I’m tired (physically or mentally), stressed, not moving consistently, and/or scrambling with meals – in Mom World we call this survival mode –  I notice a clear shift, and I’m not as kind to myself. 

Same body, new goals

In my pre-kid life, I primarily exercised to “fix” the parts of my body that I hated. I still deal with many of the same insecurities from time to time, but I confront them in healthier ways.

Now my workouts are vital to my overall well-being, and especially my mental health. This is my (much-needed) time to think without interruption, breathe deeply, and remind myself of how strong I am.

I enjoy a long walk or stretch sesh just as much as a sweaty HIIT workout, whereas before, anything that didn’t make me want to puke felt pointless.

I’m much easier on myself now because I’ve witnessed firsthand what this body is capable of. But it’s still a work in progress.

Pirouette Skorts are finally back!!!

Hey guys!

Okayyyy finallyyyyy the Pirouette Skorts are back! I know it’s frustrating that POPFLEX is always sold out, but as a small business (yes, the entire company is 22 people) we’re still trying to figure out how to order the “right” amount of inventory.

However, I would rather under order than over order any day. You know all those clothes that end up in landfills in developing countries? Yeah, that’s the result of corporations being over-confident in their inventory forecasting while lacking any care for the environment.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cassey Ho (@blogilates)

Shop Pirouette Skorts

Anyway, excited for you guys to get your hands on the REAL Pirouette Skort! It comes in XXS-3X and I’m wearing the S. Obvi it’s got pockets and a seam-free anti- inner short!

Any q’s lemme know in the comments!

 

The Bow Back Long Sleeve, 4 Ways

Hey guys!

Have you seen the Bow Back Long Sleeve yet?! Just wait until you see what it can do .

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cassey Ho (@blogilates)

 

Shop Bow Back Long Sleeve

 

Okay, which look is your fave way of wearing it?

I always love me an easy layering piece and this is the ultimateeeee onneeee u guyzzzzzz! Originally when I set out to design this, looks 1 and 2 were the plan but 3 and 4 became a happy accident .

The super floaty and stretchy fabric is the reason why this top is so versatile! I am obsessed with the last look in this video .

I’m wearing size small and it comes in XXS-3X in 4 colors.

Hope you love!

 

I Tried the Romper One Piece and It’s Pure Magic

Disclaimer: This piece reflects my honest feedback about the products mentioned. Even though POPFLEX and Blogilates are sister brands, this review features my own independent opinions. 

Finding the perfect swimsuit is like Cinderella and her glass slipper. You know it’s yours when it fits just right and is uniquely suited to your fashion sense. But sometimes swim shopping can make you feel more like Goldilocks; you try out tons of different options before you finally get it “just right” and are absolutely exhausted by the end of it.

My swim fairytale led me to the new (and highly anticipated) POPFLEX Swim Drop. Let me tell you, This swim set is fit for a queen! Keep reading to see how the story unfolds…

The Tragic Backstory

Like every fairytale, my swim story has a bit of a tragic past. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration… but let’s be real; everyone’s got their swim secret. In my case, I just always hated swim shopping and found it to be a bit embarrassing. I felt too hairy, too pale, too exposed. 

For so long, I could never find a suit to match my personal style. Even as I grew up, I didn’t necessarily gravitate towards the string bikinis in the mall, but I was afraid to look frumpy in the options that had more coverage. 

There was no in-between, no compromise, no “just right” option.

The Retro Drop Saves the Day

Like a knight in shining armor, POPFLEX came to save the summer! Their retro drop is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for; stylish, vintage-inspired silhouettes that are alluring yet not too revealing. They’re just the right amount of coverage. 

The Romper One Piece is a swimsuit that doesn’t feel like a swimsuit.

Love at First Sight

True love is real and I know this because when I first opened the package, I knew me and the Romper One Piece were meant to be. The color was a vivid striking blue that I knew would complement my eyes. The material was sturdy with its double lining, so I knew it wouldn’t start to get transparent after a few wash cycles. Plus, it was built for max comfort; it’s smooth to the touch and has the same anti-camel toe structure as the other POPFLEX products.

Since the POPFLEX Onesies are some of my favorite workout pieces (I love a unique gym fit), I was excited to see how I liked the romper. It’s kind of like a onesie but in swim form. How cool, right?! I was so eager to try it on and see firsthand what it looked like on my body.

Romper Royalty

I found that the romper is flexible when it comes to how it fits on your body, which means that it flatters so many different body types. It’s great to see a product that doesn’t just look good on one sort of person, but is truly versatile. 

My favorite feature is that this suit doesn’t scream beach only. You could absolutely wear it out to lunch at a poolside cafe or to a morning yoga session on the beach. It really is the most comfortable swimsuit I’ve ever owned, not just because of the soft but breathable fabric, but because it allows me to feel comfortable in my own body when I’m wearing it. 

While I’m between sizes, the romper does run pretty big. I’m usually between a small and a medium, but sized down and bought a small for this one! I highly recommend sizing down for this product.

Shop Romper One Piece

Fairytale Ending

I’m so excited to take this swimsuit on my next adventure! In conclusion, here are some of my final thoughts about the Romper One Piece.

Likes

The retro chic silhouette.

Extremely comfortable. 

Halter straps are adjustable and definitely long enough for taller beach babes!

Just the right amount of coverage. 

POCKETS!!!

Versatility – wear to pre- and post- beach activities! 

 

Dislikes

Potentially interesting tan lines with the halter top (If you can’t tell from my photos, I don’t tan much anyways so this isn’t a problem for me).

No cups, but if you like a little extra padding you could easily sew some in.

Will definitely need help sunscreening your back because of the silhouette!

Would love to see some lighter and brighter color options!

 

Shop POPFLEX Swim

 

What are your thoughts on the new POPFLEX swim items? What kinds of things would you like to see in a future lineup? Comment below!

 

Designs That Died: Part 3

Hey guys!

Sometimes I miss. Here are those times

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cassey Ho (@blogilates)

First, wide-legged pants.

After I debuted the first POPFLEX sweatpants, a lot of you requested that I design a wide-legged option. I was here for it! But then… I tried on the sample.

Omg. I couldn’t stop laughing.

On one hand, I kind of liked them. They were definitely comfy! But on the other hand, they were kind of giving JNCO Jeans. And they bowed out really awkwardly, which made me look like one of those circus people on stilts.

And then…the Cloud Hoodie dress

I’m not giving up on making a Cloud Hoodie dress! And this one was an upgrade from last time! But it’s still not “the one.”

First of all, it’s not comfortable. The waistband is just soooo tight! And then the skirt just kind of hangs there, with a pouch. It’s awkward and not cute. So…dead.

Back to the drawing board!

There’s a lot of failure in the design process, but that’s normal and when you finally get it right, IT FEELS SO GOOD.

So what do you think? Rightfully killed or should we bring these back from the dead?

 

Bridgerton Vibes, But Make It a Bikini Top

Hey guys!

Most of the time I listen to you. But sometimes, I don’t.

I think many times people think they don’t like something only because they haven’t been exposed to all the possibilities. They choose what they know. My job is to expand your horizons and help you explore outside of your comfort zone. After all…it’s just clothes we’re talking about here! So take the risk, do something different and maybe you’ll discover something amazing for your body.

Anyway, as I was doing the homework assignment you gave me for full coverage bottoms, I thought, why not try a top with a little more coverage too!

That’s how this 1800s Regency era (Bridgerton era) inspired swim top came to be!

You voted “no” to a bikini top with sleeves, but I think this will win you over. This isn’t a boring, “granny” bikini top. She’s cute, and she makes your boobs look GOOD, okay?!

Introducing…

The Coastline Cap Sleeve

The construction of the Coastline Cap Sleeve is very similar to the Sandbar Strapless with its inner shelf bra so it’s very secure. It doesn’t slip off EVEN WITHOUT SLEEVES

Seriously, if you don’t believe me go watch this jump test.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cassey Ho (@blogilates)

 

Shop Coastline Cap Sleeve Top

And the square neck does what the Corset Bra does for my bbs… it lifts and shapes like crazy! Like I actually have Bridgerton bbs!!

I am wearing XS and I’m normally a 32A.

What do you think of a bikini top with sleeves? Would you give it a try?

Comes in XXS-3X.

 

Workouts You Can Do Anywhere (Even While Traveling!)

Everyone has their fav workout. Whether it’s pilates at home, strength training at the local gym, or hitting up a fitness studio class with your friends, your exercise routine is often your ~me time~. So when you’re traveling, it can sometimes feel like you’re thrown out of your routine. 

Taking some time off from working out won’t drastically alter your body, don’t worry! But we know that it can leave you feeling defeated and unmotivated. These travel-friendly workout ideas are activities that you can easily incorporate into your time traveling and will help keep your fitness momentum going until you get back home. 

Go For A ~Hot Girl Walk~

Okay, we know you may be rolling your eyes at this one but seriously, walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise! According to Harvard Medical School, going for a walk can ease joint pain, boost your immune system, and reduce your risk for breast cancer (among other benefits).

If you tend to avoid going for long walks because you find them boring, try out our Spotify playlists and podcast recommendations to make your workout sesh a whole lot more interesting! A new playlist and change in scenery might be just what you need… you’ll get your heart rate up while exploring your vacation destination off the beaten path.

Give Yoga A Try

If you’ve never considered yoga before, now’s the time to try! You don’t need a studio or prior experience to start your practice. Look on further than Youtube, where there are tons of videos for all levels, from the beginner to the seasoned yogi. Doing yoga will help increase your flexibility, protect you from injuries, and improve your vitality to keep you energized for the rest of your trip.

If you’re planning to bring a yoga mat with you on your trip, the Cora Backpack from POPFLEX is a super easy and fashionable way to take your equipment with you wherever you go. But if you’re needing to travel ~super light~, you don’t even need a yoga mat; a beach towel will do the trick!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jennifer Chan: Style + Beauty Expert, TV Host, Journalist (@jennchanglam)

 

Turn Fun & Games Into Fun & Gains

This travel-friendly workout idea might require another person! Get the whole family in on your workout by playing a game. Whether it’s pickleball, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, or even a bike ride, you can totally incorporate movement into your regularly scheduled vacation activities. Not only will you get to spend more time with the people you love, but you also get to soak up some Vitamin D while you do it!

Sweat it Out to a Weightless Workout

Whatever muscle group you want to work, Blogilates has something for you. Follow along to Cassey’s Weightless Arm Toner, Extreme Ab Flattener, Pilates Inner Thigh Burner, or Butt Shaping workouts. No equipment is required and you’ll feel so much stronger in just 30 minutes! 

You can browse our full workout offerings on the Blogilates Youtube Channel.

@blogilates ♬ Cry Baby (feat. DaBaby) – Megan Thee Stallion

 

Grab a Booty Band

This piece of equipment is one of the most versatile pieces for an on-the-go gym. Even if your suitcase is filled to the brim, booty bands are so easy to slip into your luggage and take up hardly any space. In addition to working your booty, you can use these for bicep toning, shoulder shaping, and even push-ups.

You can also try following along with a full-body mini band workout to see how you can work every muscle group with just the right amount of resistance.

Use Your Environment

Does your hotel have a pool? Swimming some laps is an intense but exciting way to get in some cardio. No stairmaster, no problem. You can ditch the elevator and walk up several flights of stairs to your room (or better yet, the rooftop bar!). Instead of waiting by your airport gate, take an indoor walk while you’re waiting for a flight! Don’t underestimate the exercises that are a part of daily life; working out isn’t confined to the gym.

Lastly, we think it’s important to highlight that you don’t need to work out on vacation.

While it’s great to have a routine, taking a week or so off isn’t going to make you lose your progress. Our goal is to give you some inspo for how to incorporate movement while traveling, but also to help you realize how much you still move on an everyday basis (even if it’s not lifting weights at the gym).

If you feel guilty for not hitting the gym every day, it may help to talk it out with a mental health professional.

What’s your go-to travel-friendly workout?

Have a favorite no-equipment Blogilates video? Let us know in the comments below! 

 

Remember when you asked for swimwear with more coverage?

Hey guys!

When I launched Drop 1 of Swim, I knew you’d be mad. I knew you wanted full coverage options but they just…weren’t ready.

Some of these designs took a lot of patience and a lot of trial and error. Rather than hold up the entire launch, we decided to split it up. Was it frustrating? Yes. Did I hate reading your disappointed comments while keeping this a secret? Yes .

I’m so excited for you to see The Retro Drop!

I’m happy to report that all of the work and time spent was worth it. So happy with how everything turned out!

Sand Dollar Surf Short with Pockets

When you asked for full coverage bikini bottoms, I didn’t want to just recreate the same “granny panty” swim bottoms that you can find anywhere. You know me, I like to push fashion past the norm! So I was like okay… let’s do a surf short. Sporty and cute all at the same time without looking basic.

This was one of the most problematic patterns in all of Swim. 

So many things come into play with fit. And then you have to take every size into account (XXS-3X for these!) and adjust even more so EVERY size has a perfect fit.

The issue was getting the shorts to not squeeze at the thighs, without twisting and looking weird in the crotch. This is one example of when it was crucial to take our time and let deadlines go for the sake of getting it right.

The Surf Shorts prove that sexy, full coverage swim bottoms CAN exist. I’ve witnessed several women of many body types try these bottoms on and every. single. one looked stunning.

SHOP SURF SHORT

Details are everything.

The retro-inspired cut is high-waisted and accentuates your curves. Like I mentioned, we made sure the shorts won’t squeeze your thighs.

There’s an anti-cameltoe, seam-free front panel because now that we’ve gone anti-cameltoe, we can never go back.

The material is double-lined. No see-through moments!

And then I added pockets because DUH.

 

Coastline Cap Sleeve Bikini Top

SHOP COASTLINE CAP SLEEVE TOP

 

So when I did the swim polls, the majority voted NO for a bikini top with sleeves. But I went for it anyway. The result is this timeless, romantic bikini top. I love her wide neckline and of course, the corset-inspired lace-up back.

Just like the bottoms, the Coastline is double-lined and has a dual-layer inner shelf to prevent any slippage. Trust, you’re gonna feel secure in this bikini top.

The full look

If you were worried that full coverage bikini bottoms and/or a modest bikini top would be boring, this is for you. I am obsessed with the Coastline Bikini Top + Surf Short combo.

 

Romper One Piece

SHOP SWIM ROMPER

Have you ever seen a swimsuit that is so unique, yet so timeless all at the same time?! I’m obsessed with rompers and was soo happy with how this turned out!

I love the retro vibes, the big, adjustable bow on the back, and the low (but not too low) open back with the little criss-cross detail.

The bottom is cut like the Surf Shorts, accentuating your curves while still giving you full coverage!

I can’t decide which one I love more… Blue Palm or Black Rib?!

SHOP SWIM ROMPER

A swim towel as big as your bed

SHOP SWIM TOWELS

THE DREAM. I love the Beach Bed Towel because Sam and I can share! It’s huge!

Fun fact: this towel is made out of recycled water bottles! 40 to be exact. It’s reversible too, and sand resistant (a must)!

If you’re looking for something smaller, go for the Sand to Studio Towel. This one is yoga mat-sized and you can literally use it as a yoga towel! It has 4 zippered corner pockets to fit right over your mat. Like the Bed Towel, this one is reversible, sand resistant, and comes in a vegan suede zippered baggie.

That’s it for The Retro Drop!

I need to know: Are you team cheeky or team full coverage bikini?!

I know that full coverage swim isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I hope between Drop 1 and the Retro Drop, you find something you love!

Tell me what you’re getting in the comments, and what you want to see for future swim designs!

 

 

The Bikini Body Is A Myth: How to Shift Your Mindset

Summer is a time for unwinding, getting outside, and finally getting away from the seasonal depression that can plague the colder months. But for so many people, unwinding by the pool comes with a whole new problem; the anxiety around having a “bikini body.” 

The terms “bikini body” and “beach body” are a huge part of the health and fitness industry. Even though crash dieting is so last year, diet culture won’t give up when it comes to special events. 

Maybe you (like so many others) are a victim of this mindset, whether you started your New Year’s Resolution with a summer-ready body goal or are scrambling to find a “quick fix” before an upcoming pool party. 

While we love taking care of ourselves through health and fitness, we don’t love doing it in a way that promotes harmful routines and damaging mindsets.

This summer, we’re debunking the myth of the “bikini body” once and for all.

Star Magazine 2017

It’s Allllll in the Marketing 

The term “bikini body” was first made popular in a 1960s ad campaign. Since then, the phrase has made its way from being strictly marketing vocab to having a place in everyday conversations. 

It’s still used in marketing ventures, though. Just not in the way you might think. From fitness influencers selling their weight loss programs to “slimming” protein shake products and everything in between, having a slender, toned “bikini body” is the ideal that’s advertised to us year after year. 

What’s especially dangerous is that through social media, the messaging is a lot more subtle. And even though we’ve come a long way when it comes to anti-diet culture language, building an unhealthy routine to achieve a certain summer look is not just socially acceptable, but almost expected. 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Blogilates.com (@blogilatesdotcom)

 

It’s Caused A Lot of Swimsuit Trauma

The thing about the “bikini body” is that it tells a narrative of self-worth. It leads you to believe that you have to have a specific look in order to be worthy of wearing a bikini. 

Even from a young age, being surrounded by this kind of talk promotes being ashamed of bodies that don’t fit the norm. (You’re not alone! Click through the Blogilates Team #swimsecrets above for proof). 

Once you’ve got this mindset, it’s hard to shake it! It takes years (maybe a whole lifetime) to relearn those habits. Feeling ashamed of your body can also make it really difficult to help foster a more positive self-image for the other people in your life. (Especially the young girls who are listening to everything you say about yourself, both positive and negative). 

Let’s Talk Sustainability

Getting a “bikini body” is a short term, appearance-based goal. It’s based on how you think you should look (or at least how others think you should look). Instead, it’s a lot more sustainable and healthy to focus on gaining strength, speed, agility, or other fitness goals that have to do with how you feel. 

It’s Time to Shift the Narrative

It’s time to reframe the way we see swimwear, both for ourselves and for future generations. The diet culture of the 2010s that damaged so many of us needs to be left in the past. 

It starts with being kind to your past self, especially when looking back at old pictures. Be kind to your body, in every form it has taken. Adopting a more body-neutral approach can help separate your self-worth from what you see in the mirror on a given day.

To help overcome that diet culture voice in your head, we’ve got some mantras for you. These affirmations can help cultivate a positive self-image that can get lost in the diet culture atmosphere of the “bikini body” season. 

Our Mantras:

My body is not for others’ approval or satisfaction.

I won’t let my brain bully my body.

My body deserves respect and love from myself and others. 

I appreciate my body for everything it can do. 

I give my body permission to change. 

My body is my home and I will build it up, not tear it down.

Every Body is a Bikini Body

Every body deserves to soak up the summer fun! Even if you don’t look like the stereotypical swimsuit model, trust us; you’re still a total beach babe! Your body is amazing because it’s yours and you deserve to dress in whatever swimwear makes you feel comfortable and stylish! 

If you’re on the search for some size and style-inclusive beachwear, head over to the POPFLEX Swim Shop! 

It’s time to rewrite our swim story. How are you finding joy in swimwear this summer? Inspire the Blogilates community; share your story below! 

 

Shein stole my design AGAIN. And I have more tea.

I’m sitting here shaking because I’m so upset at myself. I let myself get emotionally manipulated, I let my guard down, and it happened again.

You know, there’s the kind of hurt that happens when a company does unethical things to you, and then there’s the kind of guttural blow that sucks the air out of your lungs when a human you forgave, betrays you again.

After the first time SHEIN copied my Pirouette Skort design back in Jan 2023, I was reached out to by their team after all of you guys went crazy on them. For weeks, they kept asking me if I could get on a call because their US President, George Chiao, wanted to personally talk to me.

First, let’s dissect this message:

Eventually, when they agreed to the agenda I wanted to speak on, I hopped on a Zoom call with George on Feb 22, 2023. He came off very personable, very friendly, and even though he didn’t apologize for what SHEIN did, he told me a story about how his daughter was a Blogilates fan and how she came rushing into his room when the 1st violation happened, screaming “WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO CASSEY???” I always have a soft spot for fans. He did such a good job of calming me down that I walked out of that conversation having major respect for the way he eloquently handled this PR crisis. As a result, I decided to cool it on my SHEIN posts.

He got exactly what he wanted.

Looking back with clarity now, I am so disappointed in myself. George did a great job of playing to my sensitivity and he made me feel bad for him. I fell for the daughter story and when he said it hurt him when people made mean comments about his company, I weirdly softened and let my guard down. In a twisted way, I chose NOT to share the conversation below with you guys because of the way he made me feel like HE was the victim.

But now that a second violation has happened, THERE IS NO HOLDING BACK.

THE VIOLATIONS:

THE CONVERSATION:

Here’s exactly what we talked about:

1️⃣ George said SHEIN didn’t steal my design. He said over and over again that SHEIN is just like Amazon and that they have no idea if their sellers are selling stolen designs. He said SHEIN is just a marketplace.

2️⃣ When asked how I could prevent SHEIN from stealing my designs again, he said in the future all I have to do is submit my design to SHEIN BEFORE it goes live on POPFLEX and then my design will enter a database of “DO NOT COPY.” From there his buyers will know not to purchase anything that looks like my design. (Umm what??  Why would I EVER do this??).

3️⃣ In the same convo he said “You know that what we’re doing isn’t illegal right?,” making it sound like SHEIN’s actions were ethical and that he was doing me a solid by taking down my skort design from their website.

4️⃣ When I asked him what happened to the units that weren’t sold, he said “They were probably donated or destroyed.”

Probably? Shouldn’t he know? Or were they just sold on a different country’s SHEIN website?

5️⃣  When I asked him how many skorts were sold, he said “Not that many.” He said that SHEIN is a truly sustainable company because they test low units of new designs, and only if they sell well, will they manufacture in larger quantities. In a follow-up email, I asked him for the exact quantity sold and he said 28, in which he tried to pay me for the sales and I did not accept.

IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THIS?

I am very wary of this low number because if 28 was truly the number of my copycat skorts ever sold, why would they manufacture this again? From the latest lawsuit against SHEIN (3 graphic designers are suing for copyright infringement and also claiming a RICO violation), I read the 52-page case. I found this excerpt written by SHEIN themselves about how they use algorithms to determine customer interest:

So, first off, the 100-200 units thing checks off with what George told me.

Secondly, let’s talk about the 2nd paragraph. Clearly, my skort wouldn’t have been reproduced if the first small run wasn’t successful. I do not think they only sold 28 units of my skort. I do not think those skort units were ever donated or destroyed, and were sold on a different country’s SHEIN website to determine their popularity.

What alarms me is that if there was already a first violation on my design, shouldn’t it have been added to the “DO NOT COPY” database? If they really had this database, I wouldn’t be here writing this post!

Additionally, I think if someone forgot to put my skort design in the database, the algorithm picked up my viral video AGAIN and this all happened AGAIN

GASLIGHTING:

The gaslighting.

The ignorant, uneducated, confidence.

I cannot.

Do not throw around words like “patent”, “trademark”, and “copyright” when you are NOT an IP lawyer and when you have zero idea what you are talking about, and then proceed to blame me for being a victim.

For the record, I have spent countless hours reading fashion law, talking to several lawyers to get different perspectives, while also strategizing with my legal team to see what can be done in my current situation and what can be done to prevent Shein and other shady business from stealing POPFLEX designs in the future. Lawyers aren’t cheap and this situation has set me back tens of thousands of dollars in getting copyrights, cease and desist letters, and just wrapping my head around the whole situation.

I saw some comments saying that Blogilates is a “big brand” and talking to me as if SHEIN and I are the same…I would just like to remind everyone that SHEIN is valued at $66 BILLION, and I am over here with a tiny 20-person team. Like, thanks for thinking I’m big (???) but the truth is, I am still a small business no matter what you think of me. And any BILLION dollar business taking advantage of a small business is a TRASH COMPANY.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Sorry for all the complaining. When I am upset, I have to write everything out because it helps me process my feelings. I want to thank everyone who has commented on my IG. It has been healing to hear your support and to see your re-stories as I deal with this situation for the second time.

Here are some actionable steps you can take:

1️⃣ Share this post. The more people we can make aware of the problem, the better.

2️⃣ Please stop buying from SHEIN. Choosing to spend your dollars elsewhere is the best way to take a stand. For those who say they can’t afford anything else…you have many options. I grew up with Vietnamese immigrant parents who taught me how to save money by shopping the CLEARANCE section of Ross, Marshalls, TJ MAXX etc. I also shopped swap meets, sample sales, and never bought anything full price.

3️⃣ Hold influencers accountable! Comment on influencers’ posts – you know, the ones that are doing SHEIN Hauls or the ones being paid to talk about SHEIN! Be nice, don’t berate, just educate them. If we can stop one of them, that means we are saving hundreds of thousands of followers from buying from SHEIN.

PS: For those of you asking when the Pirouette Skort will restock, it’s crazy timing, but it’s actually THIS WEEK. Some colors have already trickled back in. Here’s the link. The skort goes from XXS-3X and the shorts under are anti-cameltoe!