What is brat summer?
Brat summer is a TikTok trend inspired by Charli XCX’s album Brat. When pop singer Charli XCX released Brat in June 2024, fans quickly embraced its themes of partying, rebellion, and care-free attitude. Brat inspired TikTok dances, Y2K-inspired fashion trends, and even marketing campaigns, and its overall popularity led online fans to coin the term “brat summer.” Charli XCX described the album as “me, my flaws, my f*** ups, [and] my ego all rolled into one.” Many fans embraced this idea as they wanted to apply the singer’s attitude toward their own lives. Some describe being “brat” as effortlessly being an it-girl.
How to Have a Brat Summer
Put yourself first and don’t take things too seriously. There is no “right” way to have a brat summer. While the aesthetic is based on partying, the best way to be “brat” is to be confident, bold, and rebellious. Let go of any people-pleasing tendencies, get a little messy, and do what makes you happy, even if other people don’t like it.
Dress in bold, neon clothes. While you can dress however you want and still have a brat summer, there is a certain aesthetic associated with the trend. The brat style is inspired by Y2K fashion, featuring graphic baby tees, wraparound sunglasses, and Von Dutch trucker hats. The main color scheme is neon green and black, though any bold, bright colors also work. Charli XCX describes the aesthetic as “It can be, like, so trashy. Just, like, a pack of cigs and a Bic lighter. And like, a strappy white top with no bra. That’s kind of all you need.”
Party and have fun. Charli XCX describes brat as being “that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes.” It’s about partying through the breakdowns and heartaches and enjoying life. Don’t be afraid to go out and have fun with your friends. Live life to the fullest—whatever that means for you!”
Brat Summer Origins
Brat summer began when Charli XCX released the album Brat. Pop singer Charli XCX released her 6th album, Brat, on June 7, 2024. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts, and fans quickly turned it into an aesthetic trend inspired by the album’s neon green cover and party animal vibes. The trend blew up on TikTok, with tens of thousands of posts under the “brat summer” hashtag. Some believe the trend became so popular because it’s seen as a rejection of the “clean girl” aesthetic, which encourages a very groomed, pristine version of femininity. Brat, on the other hand, embraces being messy and free.
Kamala is Brat Meaning
Charli XCX tweeted “Kamala IS brat” in July 2024. This was shortly after President Biden dropped out of the presidential race. On July 21, 2024, Charli XCX posted “Kamala IS brat” on X (Twitter), showing her support for Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president.
The post went viral and became a meme. Soon after the post was made, fans began editing videos of Harris with songs from Brat playing in the background. Many also incorporated the coconut tree meme, which samples Harris saying, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?”
Harris’s team embraced the meme. The Kamala HQ campaign changed their banner on X to mimic the Brat album cover, featuring a lime green background with “kamala hq” written in low-res text. On Instagram, they made a post inspired by the brat aesthetic and included Charli XCX’s original tweet in the slideshow.
What is the “Apple” TikTok dance?
The “Apple” dance is one of the most popular Brat trends. As songs from the Brat album began to spread on TikTok and other social media, the song “Apple” became an immediate fan favorite. A fan named Kelley Heyer created a dance routine to “split the apple down symmetrical lines” according to the song's lyrics. The dance went viral, as many fans and celebrities alike began posting videos on their own TikTok profiles. Charli XCX herself has even posted videos doing the dance. Other celebrities who’ve done the dance include Daisy Edgar-Jones (with Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos), Kerry Washington, and Ashley Tisdale.
Is brat summer over?
Charli XCX announced brat summer was over on Labor Day, 2024. As summer 2024 began to die down, so did the brat summer trend, leaving many wondering if it was officially “over.” On September 2, 2024, Charli XCX put an end to the debate by posting “goodbye forever brat summer” on her social media pages. Many fans decided that while brat summer may be over, they were going to continue celebrating with “brat autumn.” Fans in the southern hemisphere also intended to keep brat summer alive, as the trend occurred during winter in their half of the world.
Similar TikTok Trends
Hot girl summer Inspired by the song “Hot Girl Summer” by Megan Thee Stallion, this TikTok trend is all about being yourself and being the life of the party. For many, this means going out, meeting new people, and being flirty. Being confident is key to having a hot girl summer.
Rat girl summer Rat girl summer is a TikTok trend created by Lola Kolade, who posted a video encouraging people to “embrace the rodent energy.” It involves “scurrying” outside, eating nutritious meals and yummy snacks, and not feeling embarrassed about doing the things you enjoy.
Feral girl summer Feral girl summer is a social media trend that encourages people to embrace a chaotic, authentic lifestyle without worrying about what others think. It’s about having fun and living life to the fullest and is likely the trend that led to rat girl summer.
Christian girl autumn Christian girl autumn began as a meme mocking women for enjoying stereotypical autumn aesthetics and activities, like sweaters, scarves, and pumpkin spice lattes. However, in recent years, people have begun to embrace the meme and express their excitement for these fall staples.
Clean girl aesthetic The clean girl aesthetic is a popular TikTok trend that embraces minimalism in fashion and beauty. It typically involves sleek hair and subtle makeup and strives for an effortless look. Many believe the clean girl aesthetic is the opposite of the brat aesthetic, which embraces being messy and fun.
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