Eliza Doolittle’s track “Big When I Was Little” would have you believe that the diminutive singer skips her way through the streets of planet positive. It’s almost gratingly peppy and bright. But today, Doolittle — real name Eliza Sophie Caird — has cast off the Crayola colors and denim cutoffs in favor of something akin to a Nirvana-listening grunge groupie. She’s wearing ripped jeans slung low below her hips, revealing a familiar flash of flesh, with a non-descript dark top and scuffed Pumas. The 25-year-old Londoner tells us about her sophomore album “In Your Hands” (out now), post-breakup blues and why her look makes her feel liberated.
You’re a big fan of small clothes and flashing a little bit of skin. Do you shrink your clothes or shop in the kid’s section?
[Laughs] I have a cashmere jumper that I shrank in the wash and yeah, sometimes I like that kind of kid’s T-shirt look.
You were at the Henry Holland show. What do you like about him?
Henry’s more than a designer, he’s an inventor. He was the first one to do the bandana print that’s gone crazy.
Normally you’re in bright colors. Do you ever just want to be inconspicuous and wear black?
I actually haven’t been wearing as many colors as I used to. I’m the kind of person that gets obsessed with one thing until I get bored and then I move on. Right now, I’m loving baggy jeans with rips.
When did you decide to start flashing a bit of flesh?
It wasn’t a decision and I don’t really think I flash that much. My rule is no nipples, no nunny.
Well that kind of kills my next question, but are you ever worried about being branded slutty?
No, I think I’m more of a free spirit. If I cover up too much it doesn’t feel right.
Is it kind of liberating, like being naked?
Yeah, it’s liberating and itreally is just a comfort thing for me — I don’t think I’m overtly sexual in the way I dress. If I were covering up all the time, it wouldn’t express who I am.
While we’re speaking of expression, is making music a cathartic experience for you?
Music is the only thing that is going to be there for me no matter what. So when I finish a song, I play it out loud — it’s the best thing I’ve ever felt. Better than love, I think. … Sometimes I can tell when I’m writing catchy melodies and I’m proud of it. Although, if there were an actual formula for it, I’d be f—ing loaded by now.
