Sleek buns without frizz or flyways, perfectly done ‘glazed donut chrome’ nails, a no-makeup makeup look with fluffy brows and glossy lips. An overall flawless appearance and effortless approach to beauty, fashion, and lifestyle with no space for imperfections: the clean girl. But now, after almost two years of stressing out as clean girls and the aspiration to look like Hailey Bieber and Sophia Richie, the trend is about to get replaced by a new era that leaves no room for quiet minimalism.
Bigger, bolder, and badass—no more beige and pastel pink but neon green instead—and iced-out chunky silver jewellery that reminds me of a starter pack of every rapper from the early 2000s. The brats are taking over. We are not only shifting to a new aesthetic, but also making room for something with a little bit more character.
Image courtesy of @charli_xcx
The clean girl aesthetic overstayed its welcome, but it is quite problematic if we think about it. It reminds me of a Brandy Melville advertisement: one size fits all (if all means until size small), underlined with the message: Please don’t have too much personality. It also considers anyone who does not participate in the trend as unclean or dirty. Body hair, pimples, body fat? That’s a big no for the clean girl. Honestly, how realistic is it to have a 12-step morning routine, sleep in matching silk PJs with an overnight hair mask every night, and have a perfectly aesthetically pleasing lifestyle? Risen from a time during lockdown, we are now in a new phase, which is called “Ain’t nobody got time for that.” The clean girl aesthetic, mainly showcased by white influencers and celebrities on social media, excludes everybody who doesn’t have the time and money to even get close to the goals the clean girl aesthetic sets. It’s not about bashing those who love little gold hoops and dewy minimalist makeup; it’s simply a wake-up call that trends should not exclude others and the move towards chaos on social media. Being authentic is in; perfection is out.
Image courtesy of @charli_xcx
But what is a BRAT ?
It all started with singer-songwriter and queen of being weird, Charli XCX, and her long-awaited new album, ‘BRAT’. The neon green cover has turned into a meme in the last few weeks, and her aesthetic has become a movement for women’s and queer people’s empowerment. On TikTok, the viewers have become obsessed with her entire persona. “You’re that girl who is a bit messy, loves to party, and maybe says dumb things sometimes. She’s honest, blunt, and a little bit volatile. That’s brat.” Charlie XCX.
Without promising too much, perhaps ‘Brat Girl Summer is exactly what we need right now. But of course, it’s not the first trend that attempts to sell us the ultimate aesthetic and the perfect recipe for the summer of our lives. Nevertheless, it is more about having a healthy amount of cheerfulness in your day-to-day life without needing special products that cost you a fortune or hours of self-obsession. Brats are craving realness on social media; they live in the moment and break the constant pressure of achieving goals and being perfect.
This summer, Charli XCX gives us green lights to be a BRAT.
Brat girl summer is among us. It does not imply that you must be rude, sloppy, or exceptionally chaotic. It’s all about being unapologetically yourself, having fun without feeling ashamed of acting strange or over-the-top, and not caring about your messy hair. Show off your cheeky side this summer and make some questionable decisions, because why not? It’s time to care less, live more, and behave more like the main character that we all are.
Image courtesy of @charli_xcx
There are some similarities to 2010’s hot mess era. Let’s think Lindsay Lohan or Kesha, but make it a bit more healthy. Being a brat is not about being lost, popping more pills than a candy store, or being the darling of the paparazzi and turning into a media darling for all the wrong reasons. It stands for grasping control of your existence, directing your path as per your preference, and enjoying every single moment.
But especially in terms of fashion, they do have similarities: lace tank tops, micro-mini skirts, ripped shirts and boyfriend denim, black-out sunglasses, a badass attitude, and blurry digital snaps. Mixing the rebellious 2000s style and Indie Sleaze with the emphasis on personal comfort, brats don’t give a fuck while maintaining healthy boundaries. Still, everything is allowed, and all you need is spontaneity and to have fun with friends without any regrets. From now on, enjoyment is the top priority—no shame attached!
Take that sketchy trip, book the way-too-expensive flight, and do everything you’ve been wanting to do for years. Prepare to ignite your wild side this summer, where aesthetics take a backseat. It’s all about grabbing a top off the floor, diving headfirst into spontaneous fun, and heading out without a second thought. It’s time to let your inner party girl shine and break away from the usual constraints. Or do you want to have another boring summer worrying about what others might think? Societal expectations and aesthetic norms? So last season.
Get ready to ditch the green juice, because the only shade of green we crave this summer is neon.