What is a ‘Brat Summer?’ Everything you need to know about the Charli XCX inspired trend

Has your social media been filled with bratty images captioned “Brat Summer” lately? Well that’s all thanks to Charli XCX and her newly released album, Brat.

The pop-star, 31, coined the term along with her fans, who call themselves “Angels.” Marked by sporty sunglasses, neon green, and outdoor activity, the “Brat Summer” is truly taking over. From the lips of Charli herself, there are many interpretations of “Brat Summer.”

“It can go that way — quite like luxury,” said Charli, responding to a question about whether a recent photo of the star on a speedboat qualified as part of the trend. “But it can also be so trashy, just like a pack of cigs and a BIC lighter and a strappy white top with no bra.”

Across Tik Tok and Instagram, fans have modeled their looks with Brat lyrics in mind, notably from her hit “360” and “Von Dutch.” These looks include crop tops, ripped tights, and wrap-around sunglasses: Anything that makes you feel “so Julia,” or “like an icon.”

Digital cameras? Yes. Trucker hats? Yes.

But perhaps most fundamental to the look of a Brat summer is an iconic shade of neon green, which Charli chose to be her album cover in a controversial move earlier this summer. After internet blowback when she revealed the album art, she responded to criticism by questioning why fans felt so much “ownership over female artists” that they expect their likeness on an album cover.

Despite the backlash, the neon cover art ended up becoming iconic. Such a Brat move if you ask me!