Free, independent, and transgressive. British singer Charli XCX celebrates “bad girls” in her latest album Brat, released on 22 June, which has already become an icon.
And on social media, especially TikTok, it is officially a Brat Summer.
The term “brat”, which can be translated as “rascal” or “bratty,” has become part of our vocabulary in recent months thanks to the artist, defining a very specific aesthetic and persona: independent, free, confident, provocative, and even a little rude girls.
A reversal of the trend compared to Barbiecore or the coquette aesthetic, derived from the hit series Bridgerton, which have characterized recent years and dictated Gen Z style until now.
Enough with the bows and good manners; girls have stopped being well-behaved, they want to dance until dawn with smudged makeup, they want to be, in short, Brat Girls.
What elements characterize the Brat aesthetic?
The main characteristic of Brat Girls is that they don't try to be cool, and therefore they are even cooler. They are incredibly stylish, but without trying. They wear what they want, not what is trending.
In general, as Charli XCX teaches in her live performances and music videos, it is about mixing Y2K fashion with Berlin clubber looks, adding a futuristic touch.
All seasoned with an “effortless” vibe.
All these characteristics can be easily translated into baggy and oversize jeans, micro miniskirts, heels, white tank tops—to be worn strictly without a bra—and sunglasses to tackle the hangover.
The Brat Girl color palette is very simple: black, white, and a note of acid green, a jarring color that is impossible to miss (and also the color of the album cover Brat, obviously).
Icons to draw inspiration from for this Brat Summer? Besides Charli XCX, also Julia Fox, who has made her absurd looks her signature, the model Gabriette, and actress Chloe Sevigny.
Our selection for your Brat Summer
The era of that ideal of femininity dominated by bows and hearts that has shaped pop culture until now is over; girls want to reclaim the right to get messy, to party all night, to break the rules, and to rebel.
To tell everyone to get lost. But with style.
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