PAUSE Highlights: Doechii’s Style Evolution

The Transformation of the Swamp Princess!

Just five years ago, the Florida-born force of nature we know as Doechii took a leap of faith, declaring her full-time dedication to music in a now-legendary YouTube post. Fast forward to this year’s 67th Grammy Awards, and that bold move has undeniably paid off. She etched her name into hip-hop history, becoming only the third female artist to clinch the coveted Best Rap Album award for her innovative mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal”.

Doechii’s style, guided by stylist Sam Woolf, features a bold blend of preppy, pre-90s, and androgynous elements, often with a contemporary twist. She’s known for incorporating iconic brands like Thom Browne, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger, while also setting unconventional trends with her signature face tape and visible accessories. From her early, raw energy to the multifaceted artist she is today, her style journey has been a blend of fearless experimentation, self-discovery, and a refusal to be pigeonholed.

Doechii holds white alligator for the cover of her album 'Alligator Bites Never Heal.'

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

2023- Early Career

Many first encountered Doechii through her earlier tracks and EPs, which often carried a more unpolished, almost punk-infused energy. Think gritty beats, unfiltered lyrics brimming with attitude, and a vocal delivery that felt both confrontational and intensely personal. Tracks from this era showcased a young artist finding her voice, unafraid to be loud, bold, and unconventional. There was a DIY aesthetic, a sense of rebellion against the mainstream, and a clear indication of a powerful lyrical talent emerging. This period laid the groundwork, establishing her as an artist who wouldn’t shy away from the edges.

2023 was undoubtedly Doechii’s breakout year. Seeing her open for Beyonce on her ‘Renaissance’ tour, viral success with her song ‘What It Is,’ and gracing the cover of Allure. This era also saw her experimenting with smoother vocal melodies in her music, more intricate production, and a willingness to delve into different thematic territories. Tracks like “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” showcased this burgeoning versatility, demonstrating her ability to shift between playful flows and catchy hooks with ease.

As Doechii’s artistry matured, so did her style. Whilst exploring a wider range of genres and influences in music, she was also blending elements of Y2k fashion into her dressing and adding a futuristic edge to various looks.

Doechii met her stylist Sam Woolf at the beginning of 2023. Their debut collaboration was for Billboard’s Women in Music event, a significant moment where Doechii accepted the Rising Star award in a stunning and somewhat unexpected ensemble: a sweeping, V-neck Moschino gown. Doechi really began to come into her own style during this phase, sporting a look of layered briefs at the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Week brunch in 2023. Her showstopping moment came when she atted the VMAS in a see through, backless DSquared2 Dress complete with a Trucker hat, a luxuriously trashy-chic ensemble.

Doechi at the 2023 VMAS in a see through DSQUARED2 dress and DSQUARED2 trucker hat

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

Doechii in layered Tommy Hilfiger briefs and jacket at the 2023 Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Week Brunch

PHOTO CREDIT: Gotham/GC Images

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

Doechii in a Moschino gown on the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards red carpet.

PHOTO CREDIT:@Sam__Woolf

Doechii at the 2023 BET Awards channelling Lil Kim in a Y2k look

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

Doechii in Luar at the designers 2023 show.

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

2024 – Transformation Year

In 2024 everything changed for Doechii, both her style and music really came into their own catapulting her to the main stage. A more grown up Doechii emerged taking on a more preppy aethestic, stepping away from the trashcore trend and into suiting and tailoring but with that signature Doechii personality in the mix.

Thom Browne remained a staple in her 2024 outfits, with Miu Miu, Willy Chavarria, Vivienne Westwood, Wales Bonner, and Burberry also being prominent choices. Leaning in a more masculine energy the rapper donned power suits and sporty sets on various occasions putting her own spin on major trends throughout the year.

Some of her most notable style moments from 2024 include her performance on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, wearing a Gucci Polo shirt, pencil skirt and horse-bit belt and featuring two backup dancers in the same look connected to her by braids – a clear nod to her theatrical background – this was unlike anything seen in hip-hop over recent years. She replicated this impact with the release of her Tiny Desk performance just a day later, sporting a full Willy Chavarria look. Both moments took over global feeds, making her impeccable style all the more noteworthy.

Doechii on the Stephen Colbert's The Late Show, Doechii and her backup dancers all wore a Gucci polo shirt, mid-length skirt and horse-bit belt.

PHOTO CREDIT: @Doechii

Doechii wears a full Willy Chavrria look to her 2024 NPR Tiny Desk

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

Doechii wins the Variety's Hitmakers’ Hip-Hop Disruptor of the Year wearing a pinstripe Thom Browne suit.

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

Doechii wears Thom Brown deconstructed blazer, striped skirt, shirt and tweed tie for the 2024 VMAs.

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

Doechi wears Miu Miu pants set to perform at Camp Flog Gnaw

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

Doechii performs at the 2024 Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians event in an Acne Studios plaid bodysuit, knee-high boots and thin glasses.

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sam__Woolf

2025 – Best Style Moments So Far

Doechii has undeniably cemented her status as a bona fide style icon in 2025, consistently delivering unforgettable fashion moments. Her appearance at the Met Gala was a standout moment, as she debuted a custom Louis Vuitton suit, composed of a tailcoat, poplin dress shirt, matching shorts and an oversized bow tie, the look was completed with her signature voluminous afro, perfectly embodying the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme.

Beyond the Met Gala, her appearances at Fall/Winter 2025 Paris Fashion Week truly showcased her versatility. She effortlessly transitioned from a dazzling gold Valentino gown at the Louvre’s Grand Dinner to a barefoot, flowing pink Chloé dress that exuded bohemian chic, and then to a strikingly modern white draped dress with a denim corset at Schiaparelli.

From sharp tailoring to unexpected silhouettes and playful “officewear” reimaginations, Doechii’s 2025 style has been compelling to say the least, firmly establishing her as a genuine fashion force.