SLUG Style: Hanna Tatro

When she’s not yearning for the crispy taste of bread, Hanna Tatro is dishing out a hot sense of style. The clothes: sizzling! The jewelry: golden! And all the antics in between are a modern yet vintage take on the whole saying “I’m just a girl.” You can see more of Tatro’s fashionable aesthetic on her Instagram @sweetbabyhans ! Challah at cha girl! (Get it?)

Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.

What are your stylistic influences? This could be a band, decade, fictional character — anything.

I’m influenced by color [and] prints (like polka dots, zebra, swirls, basically anything crazy and eye-catching). I don’t necessarily have a specific influence; it’s more things I see everyday or silhouettes that I think are interesting and can mix with something else that doesn’t normally make sense. I like my style to be loud and it’s how I express myself creatively. I did watch the cartoon Pepper Ann as a kid and her character’s outfit was insane. I’ve wanted to be her ever since. 

What are your interests or hobbies? What is the hobby or interest that you have that no one would realize to ask you about?

I love to go on long walks and drives with my dogs. I will add a bunch of new music I found onto a playlist and then use that time to listen to it. A good drive or walk will really determine if the song is a bop or not. I also love vintage shopping and getting, like, three matchas a day. The hobby that no one would realize… hmm. Well, maybe just knowing every fact or song by Lil Wayne. I’ve been obsessed with his music from a young age. If someone tells me they don’t like his music, I will curate a specific playlist with his mixtape songs to change their mind. I’ve changed a lot of minds, I will add. 

Are you always “on” or would someone see you at the grocery store, for example, with less elements of your style?

I mean, I definitely dress more casually when I’m just running errands, but then again I roll up to Trader Joe’s in my handmade puffy paint “Jewish bimbo” shirt and platform camo Crocs, so…

Why do you love bread so much? What is your favorite type of bread? 

Omg! This is my favorite question. I honestly just remember a guy that I worked with in college asking me what my favorite thing in the world was, and I said “bread.” I didn’t realize at the time he was my secret Santa for our work party. He ended up getting me a military duffle filled with EVERY single type of bread he could find!!!!! That might still be one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. Favorite type: Dutch Crunch ALL THE WAY! I love burnt bread (I know!) so the crisp on that is killer for any type of sando. It’s kind of hard to find locally though!

In your opinion, what is the best bread in Salt Lake City (your favorite local bakery, sandwich shop, etc.)?

Ooh, Central 9th Market definitely has the best bread for a breakfast sandwich. Eva’s Bakery has some amazing croissants, and Publik Kitchen’s toast is 10/10. 

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those be?

Eccentric, silly, loyal.

How do you decide what to wear for the day? Do you style yourself based on a mood, a color, or something else?

It really depends on the day. Some days I’ll have thought of an outfit the night before with pieces I haven’t paired together and then go for it. The fit either slaps or my head has created the worst outfit to ever exist. Then some days, I really want to dress girly and others more androgynous. Adding color to my outfits really makes me happy and feel more myself, so sometimes I’ll pick a color scheme and work around that. I buy a bunch of loud, colorful pieces that just make me smile and try to make those work with the other crazy pieces I have. I really love jorts and changing the narrative on making them into a fancy outfit.  

What is one personal item you cannot live without, and why is it so important?

I cannot go a day without wearing this vintage diamond art deco ring that my mom gave me when I was 18. It was given to my grandma, Boopee, from one of her best friends in San Francisco. Her friend Diane Matashi passed from lung cancer and left my grandmother the ring. It has a lot of history and means the world to me. I wear, like, 87 pieces of jewelry a day, but I don’t go a day without that ring. I lost it for a week once and it was tragic — she came back though!!! Having a piece of history with me and part of my family makes it feel so special to wear each day. I had another ring that I wore with it from my grandfather, [which] was engraved in Hebrew with white and black diamonds. That was lost in a tragic, drunken Four Loko Lime scooter incident (iykyk). So I cherish the one I have because I think about that other ring just about everyday.

How has your personal style evolved over time?

My style has evolved dramatically over the years, I think mainly due to my own confidence and lack of caring [about] the opinions of others. I’ve always expressed myself through style, but I wasn’t as brave as to wear what I wanted to. I have tried to dip into trends here and there and it just never feels authentic or like myself. Like, anytime I try to wear neutrals, I feel like an imposter. I love it for other people, but I want to be in something bright and chaotic. Every year I look back at photos and am like, “What in the actual F was I wearing!?” But at the same time, I know I thought I looked hot and was feeling my genuine self, and I can laugh at it now. I’ll probably still do that with an outfit I wore last week. I enjoy putting on an outfit so much each day and I hope that my style evolves as I do each year.

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

To feel everything deeply and try to not shut the parts of yourself out that make you feel less than. To dive into those parts and embrace those things. Literally no one else is YOU, and that alone makes you so fucking special. 

Read more SLUG Style features here:
SLUG Style: Sam Miller
SLUG Style: Jaemen Cobb