We Love This Personal Stylist’s '80s-Inspired Take On Power Dressing
(Photo, Sean Penhall. Art, “Seabed” by Marc Ranger.)
Personal stylist Jenn Park Krulik honed her fashion skills designing women’s suits and coats for iconic Canadian brand Le Château in the late aughts, so it’s no wonder she has mastered the art of effortlessly styling a blazer. This spring, she’s embracing power dressing with a nod to the cinched waists and exaggerated shoulders of the ’80s, but she’s making it her own with asymmetrical layers that give the sharp silhouette a relaxed, lived-in touch.
Whether she’s working with clients or shopping for herself, Park Krulik favours good quality basics from affordable brands like Uniqlo and Banana Republic. But she’s not afraid to splurge on accessories. “They are the spice to the outfit; you can make anything look chic with a statement piece,” she says. “Basics are the foundation of a look, but it’s the extras that stop you in your tracks.” Whenever she travels, she scours local shops and thrift stores for one-of-a-kind conversation pieces like belts, earrings or brooches. “I love that you’ll always have an association with the place where you bought it when you wear it.”
Here, Park Krulik shares the number-one closet organization mistake her clients make and the second-hand shopping ethos that's behind her greatest finds.
You're a stylist, you've worked as a designer for Le Château and once owned a vintage store. Were you always interested in fashion growing up?
I was that six-year old that was sketching clothes. As a kid, I had a dress-up trunk filled with princess and Victorian dresses and I loved dressing up the other girls. I didn't necessarily need to be in the gown—I wanted to dress other people.
How would you describe your personal style?
It’s the question I ask every client when I walk into their closet, and it’s a hard one to answer. I use the three-word method by Alison Bornstein, a LA- and New York-based stylist I love. First, you ask yourself how you want to feel in your clothes. For me, I want to be comfortable. Then, you think about where you want to take your style. For example, I want to feel polished for client meetings. And thirdly, you think about your life and the practicality of what you wear. I’m a mom of two boys, I love vintage and I always love to have a piece that’s a conversation starter. It’s hard to distill my style in three words, but mine are: relaxed, polished and edgy.
When you define those words for yourself, it should be reflected in almost every outfit you put on, whether you're going to the gym or you're going to have drinks with your friends.
What do you think is the number-one mistake people make when it comes to their wardrobe?
Whenever I do a closet edit for a client, I realize that the person hasn't bought a clean white T-shirt in a while or doesn't have a basic pair of jeans in a silhouette that’s a little more modern, like a wide leg or a ‘90s straight cut.
We have to see what's in our closets to understand what we have and what we’re lacking. And when you can't see things, it's because of the way you're organizing it. A seasonal rotation of your wardrobe is really helpful, because suddenly everything is right in front of you. It’s a little bit of work because it’s continual, but my clients have this aha moment when we do it.
You also have to take the time to put the clothes on your body—get a glass of wine and just start pulling stuff out and taking pictures. When you start documenting and seeing what other people see, it helps show you how you can put certain pieces together to create new outfits or what you need to buy to make it easier to get dressed.
As a stylist, do you believe in capsule wardrobes?
It really depends on the individual. There's no such thing as the perfect piece of clothing for everyone, because we're all so different and we all move so differently through the world. I think everyone can use a clean T-shirt, a button-down and some jeans but, ultimately, a good foundation of basics will vary for each person.
What is your process like when shopping?
When I’m shopping for myself, I pick up things that I know I need because I recently did an audit of my closet to identify gaps that would help me get dressed more easily. I usually pick those things up at the mall; you don't have to spend a lot of money on basics—you can find 100 percent cotton and wool at Uniqlo, Banana Republic or Gap.
Is there anything you like to splurge on?
For me, it's accessories. You don't need to spend a lot on good basics and I'd personally rather spend a little bit more on a pair of earrings that’s unique and less likely to go out of style.
I've collected so many accessories from my travels, and that’s always what people want to hear about. It’s the sparkle to the outfit, the conversation piece.
You have some great second-hand pieces. What do you look for when thrifting?
Everything in fashion has been done before, so everything “new” is referencing something else. I always look for vintage first when I’m shopping. To me, vintage feels couture because no one else has exactly what you have. One of my recent finds was a Danier snake skin print leather jacket. It’s an absolute classic, and similar styles were all over the fall runways.
I'm also really conscious about trying to buy natural fibres only; in the summer it’s 100 percent cotton, in the winter it’s 100 percent wool or cashmere. The truth is that there's so much to buy out there that you don’t need to compromise—you're going to find another bag, you're going to find another wool coat. I believe that if you're seeking it, it will come to you.
Are there any trends you’re excited about for spring and summer?
I love the power dressing aesthetic of the ‘80s and ‘90s. I'm excited for those silhouettes to come back, with big shoulders and cinched waists. The looks from that time are about women in charge, but in their own way, where it still feels relaxed and natural.
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Andréanne Dion is the senior editor, style, beauty and travel at Chatelaine. She is also a contributing editor at FASHION and Hello! Canada.
