Brat Summer

Brat Summer is a cultural phenomenon sparked by English singer-songwriter Charli XCX's[1] sixth studio album, Brat,[2] which was released on June 7, 2024.[3][4][5] It is about being one's true messy, unapologetic self.[1][5]

The term encompasses a distinctive aesthetic characterized by a lime green color scheme,[6][2][7] early 2000s-inspired fashion,[1] and themes of unfiltered self-expression.[8] It gained further prominence after its adoption in social media discourse[1] and political campaign branding.[9]

Origin and background

The concept of Brat Summer is rooted in the sonic and visual identity of Charli XCX's Brat album.[4] The album's high-energy, rave-inspired production and raw emotional themes resonated with audiences seeking to embrace imperfection and chaos.[10]

The album's minimalist cover, featuring the word brat in low-resolution Arial font against a vivid lime green background or "Brat green",[2][7] a hue created by design studio Special Offer Inc. became emblematic of the movement. The studio reportedly reviewed over 500 options before selecting the now-signature shade, which sits between 360 and 375 on the Pantone colour chart.[11][12]

The movement is interpreted by some pop critics as a rejection of the clean girl aesthetic, which is a minimalist, polished ideal of femininity emphasizing discipline, grooming, and restraint popularized on platforms like TikTok.[13][2]

If the previous year was marked by hyper-feminine trends such as Barbiecore, "girl dinners," and the global success of the Eras Tour, Brat Summer represents a more adolescent evolution: one that is angrier, messier, and less concerned with perfection.[13][14]

As Charli herself explained in interviews and on social media, the Brat aesthetic is about duality. "It can go that way, like, quite luxury, but it can also be so, like, trashy. Just, like, a pack of cigs, and, like, a Bic lighter, and, like, a strappy white top. With no bra. That's, like, kind of all you need."[10][2][8]

Aesthetic

The Brat Summer aesthetic is defined by its deliberately chaotic, unapologetically bold style that embraces imperfection and maximalism. Key visual elements include messy, unbrushed hair, smudged smoky eye makeup, and statement accessories such as edgy square-rimmed sunglasses and old-school corded Apple headphones.[10] Fashion choices often feature stringy tops or dresses, knee-high lace-up boots, and plenty of leather; faux or otherwise.[7][15]

Lime green is a signature colour of the trend, appearing on nails, eyeshadow, clothing, and footwear. Described as the "colour of the summer," lime green holds the same cultural significance in 2024 as pink did during the "Barbie summer" of 2023.[7]

Political implications

After President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election in 2024 and endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, Charli XCX tweeted "kamala IS brat" on X (formerly Twitter).[12] Shortly after, the official Biden-Harris campaign account rebranded itself as "Kamala HQ," updating its banner to mimic the Brat album cover; lime green background, low-resolution Arial font, swapping brat for kamala hq.[12][5][2][7][9] While Charli clarified the tweet was not a formal endorsement, she added she was "happy to help prevent democracy from failing forever."[16][4]

TikTok and Instagram saw an explosion of "Brat Harris" edits, with users pairing her soundbites like "I love Venn diagrams" and "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?" with Charli's music.[5][2] The campaign resonated with disillusioned young voters, particularly women, who saw in the Brat aesthetic a reclaiming of cultural power in contrast to the strongman politics that had dominated the previous era.[14][12]

Impact and legacy

A browser-based "Brat generator"[17] tool allowed users to replicate the album's visual design with custom text, contributing to its widespread virality on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.[4]

In the weeks leading up to the album's release, a wall in Greenpoint, Brooklyn—nicknamed the "brat wall" by fans—became a focal point of the album's promotional campaign. The wall was repeatedly painted with the album's signature lime green color and updated messages tied to different phases of the release.[18][4]

Its influence was recognized when Collins Dictionary named "brat" the 2024 Word of the Year, citing its widespread usage and cultural relevance.[19][20]

Despite Charli XCX declaring Brat Summer over in September 2024,[21] the movement experienced a resurgence at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Charli's performance, featuring guest appearances by Troye Sivan, Lorde, and Billie Eilish, reignited the Brat spirit. The setlist heavily featured Brat tracks, and a dramatic on-screen message—"PLEASE DON'T LET IT BE OVER"—suggested the movement's enduring relevance.[22][23]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Brat Summer: Analysing The Cultural Phenomenon". ddw. 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "What is Kamala Harris' 'brat' rebrand all about?". www.bbc.com. 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  3. ^ Planey, Hannah. "Brat Summer: How Music Influences Culture". a magazine. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Brat (album)", Wikipedia, 2025-05-01, retrieved 2025-05-01
  5. ^ a b c d "How Kamala Harris became part of Charli XCX's 'Brat' summer". NBC News. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  6. ^ "What Is 'Brat Summer?' Everything You Need to Know About the Charli XCX-Inspired Neon Green Trend". People.com. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  7. ^ a b c d e "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  8. ^ a b "What Is Brat Summer? Are You Brat? The Meaning Behind The Iconic Charli XCX Trend Explained". Capital. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  9. ^ a b Li, Shirley (2024-07-23). "The Brat-ification of Kamala Harris". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  10. ^ a b c Walters, Meg (2024-07-22). "What Is Brat Summer? The Charli XCX Trend, Explained". Glamour. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  11. ^ Jakiel, Olivia (2024-07-26). "Charli XCX's 'Brat' Cover Art Took 5 Months to Make: Designer". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  12. ^ a b c d Dolan, Leah (2024-07-23). "How this 'off-putting' color shaded the internet and beyond". CNN. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  13. ^ a b "Brat Summer, Indie Sleaze and a Rejection of the 'Clean Girl' Aesthetic | Mintel". www.mintel.com. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  14. ^ a b "Why Brat Summer Is Really Just Female Rage Dressed In Green". ELLE. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  15. ^ "How To Have A Brat Summer". Vogue Hong Kong. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  16. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2024-08-26). "Charli XCX Says 'Kamala Harris IS Brat' Wasn't Meant as Political Endorsement: 'I'm Not Bob Dylan'". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  17. ^ "Brat Generator". Brat Generator. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  18. ^ "A Brief History Of Charli XCX's 'Brat' Wall". Nylon. 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  19. ^ "Collins Dictionary crowns 'brat' word of the year after Charli XCX album popularity". NBC News. 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  20. ^ Rahimi, Rosa (2024-11-01). "Collins Dictionary's word of the year is a confident, messy way of life". CNN. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  21. ^ "Brat summer officially over, declares Charli XCX". www.bbc.com. 2024-09-03. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  22. ^ "Charli XCX's Coachella 2025 set revives 'Brat Summer,' features Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Troye Sivan". EW.com. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  23. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
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