Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside musician Ecca Vandal’s playfully punk wardrobe

Our favourite genre-sliding maximalist.

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.

These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our own personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story. This week, we’re taking a look inside the wardrobe of Melbourne-based musician, Ecca Vandal.

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

With her blue hair and maximalist outfits, Ecca isn’t afraid to make a statement. Her personal style is an extension of her music, genre-sliding between skate culture, punk and hip-hop elements with a dialled-up feminine edge.

While Ecca’s always been drawn to unconventional fashion, she’s also felt pressure to fit in. “Growing up in a pretty traditional Sri Lankan household, that sometimes felt a little at odds with what was considered ‘normal’ or expected,” she shares. Over time, through constant touring, she’s learnt to trust her aesthetic instincts both on and off-stage.

Her day-to-day wardrobe leans into comfort, with baggy T-shirts, Vans and two-piece Briar Will tracksuits on heavy rotation. When performing (most recently, at Coachella and opening for Deftones), she explores a more heightened, feminine version of herself. From Chopova Lowena skirts to tartan tights and Mary Janes, a DIY punk edge is always there.

“I’ve become a lot more comfortable embracing femininity in my own way,” she tells us. That duality shows up a lot across her music and visual world, especially throughout her new album, Looking for People to Unfollow. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of seeing Ecca perform live, you can catch her when she visits Melbourne for the Australian leg of her tour this November.

Fashion Journal: Hi, Ecca! Tell us a bit about yourself and what you like to wear.  

Ecca Vandal: I’m an artist from Melbourne/Naarm. Fashion has always been a huge part of how I express myself creatively. I’m drawn to pieces that feel playful, emotional and slightly unexpected. I love mixing sporty or skate-inspired elements with more feminine silhouettes.

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

Touring constantly has made me way more confident in trusting my instincts creatively. I’m much more interested in whether something feels exciting, expressive or emotionally honest. I’ve also become a lot more comfortable embracing femininity in my own way.

Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box? 

I’ve always gravitated towards more expressive or unconventional pieces. Growing up in a pretty traditional Sri Lankan household, that sometimes felt a little at odds with what was considered ‘normal’ or expected. Over time, I’ve learned to trust that part of myself more.

Who or what was influencing your style as a teenager? 

I went through so many phases. Early on, I was definitely trying to fit into more traditionally feminine ideas of style, but eventually skate culture, punk music and DIY fashion started influencing me more. Fashion became less about fitting in and more about experimentation and self-expression.

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?  

Probably pieces I’ve worn during important performances or moments in my career. I get emotionally attached to clothing because certain outfits instantly bring me back to a specific era, feeling or memory.

Do you splurge on fashion? 

I try to be conscious about what I buy. I love rewearing pieces or finding new ways to style older items. But I love fashion so much that sometimes, if I find something special, I’ll treat myself.

What is the best piece you’ve scored secondhand? 

I bought myself this stunning purple Balenciaga x Gucci top to celebrate. It reminded me of a sari mixed with sporty elements, which felt really connected to my identity. It’s such a special piece in my wardrobe.

Your latest album was made DIY and offline. Do you take the same approach when it comes to finding style inspiration?

I love supporting and wearing emerging designers. The internet is amazing for discovering people, especially because we travel so much. But once I’m in a city, I love going to vintage stores or emerging designer boutiques and meeting the people behind the clothes in real life. Visiting ateliers and hearing the inspiration behind collections is always really inspiring to me.

How does your on-stage style differ from your everyday style?  

Day-to-day, I dress a lot more casually and lean into skate influences and comfort. On stage, I like exploring a more heightened and feminine version of myself. That duality shows up a lot across my music and creative world, especially throughout [my album] Looking for People to Unfollow.

What pieces in your wardrobe do you wear on repeat?  

My Chopova Lowena carabiner skirt is definitely on constant rotation. But honestly, any really comfortable two-piece or tracksuit will always win for me.

Who are your favourite local designers that you want to shout out? 

I love working with Melbourne designers like Gatto, and I’m constantly inspired by emerging local creatives making really expressive, boundary-pushing work. I’m also definitely a Chopova girl. Huge shoutout to every designer who’s ever loaned me pieces, it’s such an honour getting to perform in them and bring them into my creative world.

To keep up with Ecca or get tickets for her Australian tour, head here.