Ambassador Spotlight Series
with Teresa Kulick
Teresa is one of the Ambassadors in our new program, the Worn Well Collective. We are so thrilled and honored to be working with them and so many other talented creators in the slow and ethical fashion niche. Shop Teresa's looks and enjoy their story!
Name: Teresa Kulick (they/them)
Intro: Hey! I’m Teresa and I live in Milwaukee, WI with my rescue dog, Bentley. Right now I work as a tutor for a local university, a job that I really love, but I’ll be starting Law School in the Fall! In my free time I love to sew my own clothes, care for my houseplant collection, read nonfiction, and hike on the beautiful trails all over my home state of Wisconsin. I also love visiting antique shops and restaurants and getting together with my friends for movie nights and parties, and can not wait to return to those hobbies sometime soon.
City: Milwaukee, WI
IG Handle:
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is functional and simple with a little bit of an edge. I love to play with silhouettes and volume, especially oversized dresses (like the Nico) and cropped or tucked in shirts on top of slouchy pants. I also often pair masculine and feminine pieces or styles together to create additional contrast and interest in my outfits, something that gives me a lot of confidence. I feel my best in shades of black, grey, cream, and green, and I am a dedicated outfit repeater! My go-to outfit is a turtleneck and a sweater with straight-leg jeans and boots; I just swap out the turtleneck for a cropped tee when summer arrives.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is functional and simple with a little bit of an edge. I love to play with silhouettes and volume, especially oversized dresses (like the Nico) and cropped or tucked in shirts on top of slouchy pants. I also often pair masculine and feminine pieces or styles together to create additional contrast and interest in my outfits, something that gives me a lot of confidence. I feel my best in shades of black, grey, cream, and green, and I am a dedicated outfit repeater! My go-to outfit is a turtleneck and a sweater with straight-leg jeans and boots; I just swap out the turtleneck for a cropped tee when summer arrives.
What is/are your favorite Tradlands piece(s) and why?
My favorite Tradlands pieces are definitely the Shelter Cardigan and the Nico Dress, with perhaps a slight preference towards the latter, just since it was the first Tradlands garment I ever purchased.
I have the Shelter Cardigan in Clover, and I love the color and the warm cotton knit, as well as everything about the shape and length; it’s the best completer piece for any simple outfit! The Nico is the perfect thing for any occasion, especially in summer, and I love to just throw it on with chunky shoes and a tote bag and run out the door. Both pieces are things I wear a lot and always feel comfortable and confident in.
What are your fashion/style/lifestyle influences or inspirations?
I get a lot of my fashion inspiration from Instagram, unsurprisingly; I love following a wide range of people with a variety of styles and collecting ideas from all of them. I also frequently browse through Pinterest looking for silhouettes or combinations that catch my eye. In terms of color, I feel really influenced by the natural world, including my beloved houseplants. I keep lists of colors, trends, garments, or combinations that I’m particularly excited about, and plan my own outfits based on those ideas. This tracking also helps keep my purchases mindful; I try to only buy or make new things if they line up with my inspo list!
What are your fashion/style/lifestyle influences or inspirations?
I get a lot of my fashion inspiration from Instagram, unsurprisingly; I love following a wide range of people with a variety of styles and collecting ideas from all of them. I also frequently browse through Pinterest looking for silhouettes or combinations that catch my eye. In terms of color, I feel really influenced by the natural world, including my beloved houseplants. I keep lists of colors, trends, garments, or combinations that I’m particularly excited about, and plan my own outfits based on those ideas. This tracking also helps keep my purchases mindful; I try to only buy or make new things if they line up with my inspo list!
What advice would you give to someone looking to join or learn more about the slow/ethical/responsible fashion niche as motivation or reassurance?
A mantra that I love to keep in mind for slow, ethical, and sustainable fashion is the one that goes something like, “anything worth doing is worth doing imperfectly.” It may be impossible for most people to make a perfect transition into an ethical and sustainable closet, but that does not mean you shouldn’t strive to do the best you can to shop mindfully, reduce consumption, and support small ethical business when possible.
I would encourage anyone interested in these topics to start exploring how they can incorporate slow or sustainable fashion practices into their existing wardrobe and shopping habits instead of attempting to make a drastic change instantly, and start seeking out a wide range of voices speaking about these issues through social media, podcasts, books, or whatever medium they prefer. Basically, give yourself time to learn and explore what slow, sustainable, and ethical fashion might look like for you and your style, without limiting yourself with expectations of perfection.
Thank you so much, Teresa.
Check out more of Teresa's style and cozy spaces on Instagram. Also, feel free to support Teresa by using their link for 15% off your first purchase:
TERESA15
Stay tuned for our next interview coming up soon. In the meantime, shop Teresa's style!
Shop Teresa's Style
Shelter Cardigan
Clover
Nico Dress
Caroline Print
Jude Pullover
Birch