Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Kamilaroi-Samoan musician, Becca Hatch

“I’ve grown to be less scared to stand out.”

We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years) and our series Hey, I Like Your Style! dives into the fashion psyche of our favourite creatives. We’re talking the good, the bad and the 2007.

While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless of outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just don’t tell the full story.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story. For this instalment of Hey, I Like Your Style!, we enter the wardrobe of Becca Hatch.

First crossing our radar after her performance at Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Mob in Fashion Runway earlier this year, we realised we had a lot to catch up on. Becca’s been drip-feeding us singles since 2017 with a sound that caught the eye of Grammy-nominated UK singer-songwriter Mahalia (the pair toured together earlier this year) and has now enraptured us. It‘s good timing, as Becca prepares to release her first EP Mayday on August 9.

Music aside, her style aligns pretty squarely with Fashion Journal too, with Becca holding a soft spot for emerging, independent designers like Karlaidlaw and Rube Pedder, two of her favourite names in fashion at the moment. Below, she steps us through the varying iterations of her personal style and shares what she’s learnt along the way.

Who are you and what do you like to wear?

 

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I’m Becca Hatch and I’m a singer-songwriter artist. I like to wear whatever makes me feel confident and comfortable! Most of the time that’s streetwear that’s kind of influenced by ’90s and 2000s.

What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?

My style has evolved so much over the last few years. I’ve gone from wearing mainly basics as a teenager to trying different textures and shapes, wearing lots of colour and wearing only black. I’ve found myself to be shaped and influenced a lot by my environment, the places I’m at and people I’m around.

I remember growing up in South West Sydney and at the time, being heavily influenced by what people would wear [as well as] sneaker culture. The more I’ve gotten older and tried new things, the more my confidence has grown. I’ve learned not to care so much about what people might think of me. I feel like that’s allowed me to come closer to finding my style and outfits that represent me as a person. 

 

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My style has become a mix of my different personas: elevated, feminine chic and more tomboy street style. I’ve always resonated with both and I feel like my outfits, in some way, connect with one or the other. I’ve also noticed that I’ve grown to be less scared to stand out. Like, yes, I will wear my fluffy boots today because I want to!

Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?

I think the only time I’ve felt super limited and boxed in was when I was working an office job to pay for my music. The job was based in a law firm and I remember having to borrow clothes from my sister’s old work wardrobe to fit the work attire. It felt like I was almost cosplaying someone else. I would wear long skirts and dresses that I would never have regularly worn because I had nothing in my wardrobe that fit the office standard. Those months made me realise how much I appreciate and use fashion as a creative outlet.

 

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Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?

I’m not sure if I actually regret anything because it’s all a part of the journey, but I did have one phase as a teenager. When I first started performing a lot when I was 18, for some reason, I really loved wearing colourful windbreaker sets. I had this bright red firefighter-style one and I wore her everywhere.

What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe? 

Geez, I’ve honestly spent a ridiculous amount of money on certain pieces out of excitement in the moment. But some more expensive pieces are some shoes I’ve gotten from Ganni (knee-high boots, ballet flats and loafers), a jacket from Perks and Mini, some Heaven by Marc Jacobs jumpers and khaki parachute pants from OrSlow. If I’m buying something in the higher price range, I’ll make sure it’s an investment piece that will last the test of time.

 

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Some of the least expensive items are definitely pieces I’ve thrifted, especially accessories or jewellery. I have a few unique rings and belts I’ve found. I also have a few leather jackets I’ve found or that my mum has spotted for me. 

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

Probably anything my family and friends have given me, or anything I’ve been given by supporters at shows or on tour. The most recent one is this necklace made from recycled materials and metals that someone gave me on the Mahalia IRL tour. It’s so beautiful and I wear it every second day. I always really appreciate those moments when you get to connect with people who support you and who put in their own time just to make something for you.

What’s in your cart at the moment?

I’m actually trying to stop myself from consuming so much so I’m on a bit of a shopping ban but, the last thing I had in my cart was the Heaven by Marc Jacobs friendship necklace set. I wanted to get one for me and bestie.

 

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What fashion piece are you saving for right now?

One piece I have been eyeing and waiting to get for the longest time is a Florist handbag. I’m in love with these bags and the use of texture and colour. I’ve wanted one for the longest time, so it’s definitely my next big girl purchase.

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

Definitely my Telfar bags. I’ll have my small black Telfar on me most days when I’m doing almost anything, or my medium one when I’m running errands. They just elevate whatever I’m wearing from a ’fit to a ’fit, if you know what I mean. 

Since it’s freezing cold at the moment, I’ve also been non-stop wearing my Perks and Mini scarf. I love how it keeps me warm but it can also be a statement piece.

I also have these two heart baby tees I got from Happy99 not long ago and I’ve been wearing them so much. Similar to my Telfar, they elevate a casual ’fit to look so cute.

Who are your favourite local designers?

 

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I love Corcorancorin. Corin is a Weilwan designer based in Naarm who makes pieces solely from recycled materials. Her work is so beautiful and I’m such a big fan of the concept of turning something forgotten or disposed of into art. Karlaidlaw is iconic. I love their bags so much. I also love everything about Ruby Pedders work! I’ve worn one of her corsets for a shoot and have been following her ever since.

Follow Becca for more here.