Baker, Editor, and Comedienne Extraordinaire Krysten Chambrot sat down with us to talk about her career + personal style! Now on the blog.
Q: Where do you tend to find inspiration for your passion projects?
A: I write sometimes in my spare time, and I find a lot of inspiration on long walks or runs. I like being alone with my thoughts, and find my best ideas come when my heart’s beating fast, and I can just reflect.
Q: How would you describe your personal style?
A: Dirtbag teen with an office job.
I don’t like to take myself seriously, and my clothes tend to reflect that. I own not one, but two, tuxedo t-shirts (F/W and S/S). I wear a lot of tasteful tie-dye, a lot of vintage. I stopped buying new clothes about five years ago, so most everything I own is used. Imagine vintage workwear and uniforms, high-waisted jeans from the 70s and raglan shirts. They say “Dress for the job you want,” and if that’s true, I’m headed for a career as a bowling alley attendant in 1974.
Q: Who would you say has been your biggest influence- style wise, personally, or professionally?
A: My grandparents helped raise me, and probably influenced me most in all those areas.
My grandfather was a baker, and he was pretty foundational in giving me my sweet tooth — so many freebies! — and developing my interest in baking. My grandmother was always down to drive me to the library and let me spend hours picking out whatever I wanted. (She also didn’t speak English, so she sure didn’t know when I took home the sexy John Irving books. 2020 update: Are there sexy John Irving books?)
My grandmother died last year, and I kept some of her clothes, and some of my grandfather’s. They kept everything and wasted nothing, so I managed to inherit some really great vintage blouses and sweaters. Maybe it sounds creepy: “I wear my dead grandparents’ clothes.” But they’re cute, and I loved my grandparents so much. It’s my way of keeping their memory close.
Q: What is some professional advice you received that helped you navigate your current artistic projects + career path?
A: “Great people do things before they're ready.” — Amy Poehler
This isn’t groundbreaking advice. But I talk myself out of things a lot, and really grapple with imposter syndrome. So I say this to myself sometimes, often, because it makes me feel better. It helps me take risks.
Q: What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
A: If you’ve gotten this far, you may have guessed that I’m an anxious person. But guess what? I’m also cheap. Having anything that’s too nice terrifies me. Most of my jewelry comes from a store in the 42nd Street-Port Authority subway stop. Every pair of earrings is $5! Best of all, I never have to worry if I lose an earring back. (I always lose earring backs).
