What Is ‘Brat Summer’? The Edgy Viral Style Trend Inspired by Charli XCX’s Album and Y2K Nostalgia, Explained
Charli XCX’s album “Brat” has captured the zeitgeist this summer, sparking a new viral trend known as “Brat Summer.” This trend is characterized by a distinctive fashion style and a carefree, bold mindset that resonates with the party girl aesthetic.
The “Brat” look is defined by its edgy, Y2K-inspired fashion with a touch of refinement. It combines elements of a party girl lifestyle with a polished edge, creating a unique style that stands out. However, Brat Summer goes beyond just fashion; it embodies a particular attitude and mindset.
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In a TikTok interview, Charli XCX explained the essence of being a “Brat” in simple terms: “You’re that girl who is a bit messy and loves to party and maybe says dumb things sometimes. She’s honest, blunt and a little bit volatile. That’s Brat.” The lyrics of her song “Mean Girls” encapsulate this attitude, making it one of the standout tracks of the album.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPREcgoSU
Brands such as Area and retailers have quickly embraced the Brat Summer trend. Shopping guides are now featuring products that align with the trend’s aesthetic.
Celebrities have also adopted the Brat Summer style, whether they have been embodying this look for a while or are newly inspired by Charli XCX’s summer anthems. This widespread adoption has cemented Brat Summer as a defining trend of the season.
Charli XCX
The originator herself stepped out at Wimbledon, attending the 11th day of the Grand Slam tournament in a quintessential “Brat Summer” outfit. The songstress embodied her own coined trend, wearing a black crocheted minidress paired with rectangular frames, hoop earrings, lace knee-high stockings and Gianvito Rossi slingback heels.
Julia Fox
One of Charli XCX’s inspirations for the “Brat Summer” aesthetic is Julia Fox, who even receives a shoutout in one of Charli’s songs with the line, “That’s so Julia…” Fox embodied the “Brat” look during her performance at Ladyland 2024, held at Under the K Bridge in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, for Pride weekend. She donned an iridescent “decaying orchid” corset designed by A’kai Littlejohn.
Amelia Gray
Amelia Gray wore head-to-toe Desigual for the brand’s spring 2025 show in Barcelona. She sported a deconstructed black vest with intricate red and white detailing, left open to reveal a hint of skin, creating a striking, rebellious look. Her loose-fitting, cargo-style pants added a utilitarian edge.
Maika Monroe
Actress Maika Monroe made a bold “Brat” statement at the premiere of Neon’s “Longlegs” at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on July 8. She wore a sleek leather bandeau top paired with a matching high-waisted leather skirt that draped down to her ankles. The edgy look was completed with black heeled boots, adding height.
Kamala Harris
When Kamala Harris started her presidential campaign on July 21, after President Joe Biden announced his decision to step down from the 2024 election race, Charli XCX posted “Kamala IS Brat” on her X (formerly known as Twitter) account. In a matter of hours, Harris’ campaign added a new lime green photo in the style of Charli XCX’s “Brat” album cover to its official account on X, embracing the “Brat” craze.
In 48 hours, the “Brat” rebrand had earned Harris a total of $15.9 million in media impact value — a proprietary metric developed by Launchmetrics that assigns a true monetary value to marketing strategies across print, online and social media to calculate ROI.
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