This Meaningful Sports Bra Was Created by a Taylor Swift-Approved Designer

Kristin Juszczyk is used to the internet's attention. Married to San Francisco 49ers' Kyle Juszczyk, she's arguably one of the most fashionable WAGs in football, having gone viral 10 times over for her DIY self-stitched creations. You may remember her custom Kansas City Chiefs jacket nearly breaking the internet in 2024 as it dressed the shoulders of Taylor Swift. "I'm so grateful for her. I feel like she's single-handedly catapulted my career," Juszczyk previously told "People" of Swift's decision to wear her jacket. Her custom clothing has also been worn by the likes of Simone Biles, Taylor Lautner, and Brittany Mahomes. And earlier this year, Juszczyk launched an entire sports apparel brand featuring streetwear-style looks inspired by her game-day fits and worthy of a photo opp.

But the design that feels most personal to her may never be paparazzi-ed. Made in collaboration with Athleta and inspired by her mother's breast cancer journey, Juszczyk has redesigned the brand's Train Free Sports Bra ($55).

"My mom battled cancer for what felt to me like my entire life. She was diagnosed when I was around 4," Juszczyk tells Popsugar in a recent interview. "So for me, it really felt like a norm. I didn't really know life without cancer surrounding me." While her mother never got to see Juszczyk become the self-taught designer she is today, she definitely fostered and encouraged her creativity growing up.

"She always encouraged me follow my dreams and pushed me into doing what I felt fulfilled in," Juszczyk recalls. As a child, that meant competitive dance — and while, yes, the technique of the sport was impressive, Juszczyk felt most compelled by the costumes. "My favorite day of the year was when I got my costumes . . . and I kind of took that love for costumes into game days and creating game day outfits as my costume of the day."

Now, at 31, just a few years shy of her mom's age when she was diagnosed, Juszczyk felt particularly inspired to do something to honor her mother's experience and remind others about the importance of breast health. Cue the Train Free Sports Bra.

"I'm approaching that age really soon, so it's a good reminder for me every day to prioritize my health, whether that's through exercise, eating healthy, or you know, getting my breast health checked every year," Juszczyk says. The latter is something she was determined to make stand out in the design of the Train Free Bra. See: the cheeky call to action on the bottom band encouraging everyone to "check these out."

Whether that's through self-breast examination, mammograms, or yearly doctor's appointments, Juszczyk says it was her No. 1 priority to create a product that would remind women to make their breast health a priority. Having lost her mom 13 years ago to breast cancer, that's definitely top of mind for Juszczyk. "I just always try to channel it as a reminder to prioritize my own health, and hopefully, one day, if I'm blessed to become a mother, to just prioritize my health so I'm here as long
as possible."

Once the messaging of the bra was established, Juszczyk felt free to weave in some more creative elements, like the bra's asymmetrical fit, a KJ signature on the back, and a pink breast cancer ribbon. The best part? Thirteen percent of proceeds (a nod to the one in eight women in the US who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime) from the limited-edition bra will go directly to the Susan G. Komen organization to help fund further investment into breast cancer research, communities, and resources.

And while the bra may be sold in the women's section, Juszczyk emphasizes that she didn't design it with just women in mind. "I think of everybody when I when I think of this bra," she says. That includes both men and women diagnosed with the condition, as well as relatives, family members, and friends who have been impacted by breast cancer at some point in their lives. "With cancer, it doesn't matter your age, your ethnicity, nothing — it can affect anybody."

Alexis Jones (she/her) is the section lead of the health and fitness verticals at Popsugar, overseeing coverage across the website, social media, and newsletters. In her seven-plus years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions for and expertise in mental health, women's health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.