What's the Brat Summer trend? Charli XCX spawns a lime green new way to be and the world has embraced it

Brat Summer is the hottest new trend, endorsed by a bunch of Hollywood celebrities on social media, and even US presidential candidate, Kamala Harris.
This new summer trend that has taken over the internet was inspired by Charli XCX’s new album ‘Brat’ which debuted on June 7 and ranked at the third position on Billboard charts. The album cover, which features a lime green background and low-resolution Ariel font, has become the format for numerous posts on social media, including an unexpected endorsement from US presidential candidate, Kamala Harris’ marketing team. (Also read: What's inside athletes' Welcome Bag at the Paris Olympics 2024? From flip phones to self care kits)
Brat summer trend
The dance-pop album was dubbed by Genz as the album of the summer, inspiring an edgy, cool-girl aesthetic, accompanied by party animal chaos. Soon after its release, the album took over TikTok, with several new trends and TikTok dances under the hashtag #bratsummer.
In the post announcing its debut, Charli XCX explained that her new album was all about embracing oneself, along with all of one’s messy flaws. Part of the long caption says, “…brat is all about: me, my flaws, my f**k ups, my ego all rolled into one.” This messy, party-girl aesthetic has been translated into fashion as a bold, chaotic, edgy Y2K-inspired trend, with a touch of refinement. Following its creator, several celebrities have embraced this new style, channeling their inner brat.
Here’s a look into some of these brat-inspired celeb looks:
Charli XCX
The OG trendsetter herself stepped out in a crocheted mini-dress, paired with slim black shades, silver hoops, knee-high lace stockings and slingback heels from Gianvito Rossi, for the 11th day of the Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon.
Julia Fox
As one of the inspirations for the album, Julia Fox donned the brat look for her performance at Ladyland 2024, held in New York City, for Pride Weekend. She wore a metallic silver corset called “decaying orchid” designed by A’kai Littlejohn, along with a very detailed makeup look.
Kaia Gerber
She embraced the carefree, laid-back trend at one of Charli XCX’s LA shows wearing a black tank top with knee-high black boots.
Rachel Sennott
The Bottoms actor and comedian stepped out in a sleeveless black turtleneck romper, paired with black kitten heels, to attend Charli XCX’s concert.
Addison Rae
In a surprise appearance at Charli’s LA show, the influencer joined the singer on stage wearing low-waisted, flared pinstripe trousers and a black crop top.
Amelia Gray
The model closed for Desigual’s spring 2025 show in Barcelona, channelling brat in a Y2K-inspired embellished black vest and black cargo pants, paired with black sandal heels.
ABOUT THE AUTHOREshana SahaEshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More
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