Let’s Not Make Brat Summer A Thing

2023 was the summer of Barbie, and 2024 is the summer of the pop girlies who are making the genre fun again. Sabrina Carpenter is topping the charts, and Chappel Roan and Charli XCX are experiencing a rise in popularity. Charli XCX's latest album, Brat, is arguably the most popular pop album of the summer so far.

With tracks like “360” and “Von Dutch,” the album has the type of fun dance-pop music that made Kesha famous in the early 2010s. The messy party girl vibes are strong, and with the album’s rise (and Charli’s) in popularity, Brat Summer was born.

What Is Brat Summer?

Before we go into what Brat Summer means, it's helpful to identify its aesthetic. Contrary to last summer's aesthetic of Barbie pink dresses and Taylor Swift-esque sparkles and friendship bracelets, the Brat Summer aesthetic is all about embracing the messy and not being sorry about it. This includes wearing smudged eyeliner, smoking cigarettes, asking for what you want without shame, wearing lime green tube tops,  sleeping in your makeup, and going braless. 

Charli herself says that the trend can “be so trashy. Just like a pack of cigs, a Bic lighter, and a strappy white top with no bra. That’s kind of all you need.” It's essentially the opposite of the clean girl aesthetic that has dominated social media for the past few years.

Brat Summer has produced plenty of interpretations as it has spread throughout TikTok. Examples range from being a party girl to not caring what others think to embracing maximalism over minimalism. Some argue that it's about healing, while others believe it's about embracing imperfections like forgetting to wash your hair.

Nothing captures this aesthetic quite like how Charli herself dresses or the fashion in her star-studded music video for “360.” It's all about embracing imperfections and the messy part of style, similar to Kate Moss's heroin-chic look of the ‘90s and Lindsay Lohan’s party girl phase in the 2000s. 

Acknowledging imperfections is one of the many reasons why this aesthetic is popular (aren't we all tired of trying to be perfect 24/7?), but there's also an attitude and lifestyle that comes with Brat Summer that is essentially nihilistic. Canadian culture writer Scaachi Koul believes that the current state of the world is feeding into it, as she says, “And I think this summer, a lot of people are kind of in this place of, everything's broken; nothing works. I'm so sad. The world is on fire. There's genocide everywhere. No one can buy anything from Loblaws because there's a billionaire who insists that eggs be $15. So, what we do have is we can dance at the club. That is the energy of this summer: ‘I'm going to be a brat. I have nothing left to lose.’"

Charli seemed to confirm that nihilism is essential to Brat Summer during an appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast, where she said, “I feel like everybody [thinks] their moral compass has to be so in check all the time. But sometimes it’s just fun if it’s not. Everyone’s kind of a bitch sometimes, and that’s okay.”

While it's perfectly healthy (and should be more normalized in our culture) to acknowledge that nobody's perfect and we all have our moments, there's nothing healthy or fun about sacrificing your moral compass for the vibes.

No Trend Is Worth Losing Your Moral Compass

Claudia Oshry and Jackie Oshry Weinrab said it best when they discussed Brat Summer on their daily pop culture podcast, The Toast. They're not fans of the idea of throwing away your morals for a trend. “That is not a good message because you can have fun with your moral compass intact,” Jackie says. “When your moral compass is on the fritz, maybe it could lead to some fun, but it's very short term. You're not going to feel good about that.”

Claudia agrees, chiming in, “I don't like that at all. I feel like, also, the utmost importance, no matter what type of vibe you're going for, whether it be fun or chill, that your moral compass always remains intact.”

A lot of the Brat Summer philosophy is being an unhinged party girl. Take it from someone who experienced it in her college years. Taking one too many shots and kissing strangers at bars is fun at the moment, but there's nothing fun about regretting what you did the next morning or dealing with the ramifications. I had friends who took things to the next level by sleeping with the guys we met at parties and bars, and it always started as fun but ended in regret. We know that hookup culture is dreadful for our mental health, so why are we suggesting throwing our morals away for the vibes? We should be prioritizing taking care of our mental health (especially in an election year), not doing things that we know will make it worse.

You can have fun (or even a wild night out) while sticking to your moral compass. Grab drinks with friends and have a girl’s night. Go on a road trip with friends or family members that you haven't seen in a while. Take advantage of the open bar at a wedding, let your hair down, and dance the night away. But a fun night is so much better when you don't wake up regretting what you did.

It’s also important to remember that you can be assertive without being rude and that kindness never goes out of style. The word "Brat" has a negative connotation for a reason. We're not unruly toddlers who don't know how to act in public or treat others respectfully. There's nothing cute, quirky, or feminine about acting like a brat. Trends come and go, but it’s always a good idea to remain true to your morals and be kind to others. It may be a small thing in a chaotic world, but it adds up to so much more – for others and ourselves. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.” The idea of Brat Summer as an aesthetic is really more than just wearing a certain kind of clothes – it’s about embracing a certain attitude and certain behaviors, which have the power to affect your character and your relationships long-term. 

Feminine Alternatives to Brat Summer

Much of the appeal of Brat Summer is embracing our imperfections and having a good time. The good news is you can still celebrate the positive aspects of the trend without wholly jumping in. And there are plenty of other feminine aesthetics to look to:

Dark Femme Summer

There are many ways to be feminine, and that includes exploring the dark side of femininity. Know your worth in every aspect of your life from your relationships (it's time to let that situationship go) to your professional life. Listen to your intuition and wear that black dress that makes you feel like a goddess. Unleash your inner femme fatale by embracing your strengths, and learn to exude confidence and turn on the charm through the Marilyn Monroe Effect. You’ll feel like the most beautiful woman in any room.

Italian Girl Summer

Many of us feel anxious about the current state of the world, but not all of us can afford a trip to Italy to escape for a month or two. Embrace eating like an Italian girl by eating fresh and delicious foods and romanticizing your meals. Wear a beautiful floral sundress with strappy sandals out for a glass of wine with friends. Learn how to do the Italian summer makeup. Embrace la dolce vita in every aspect of your life by letting go of the stress and enjoying what's around you.

Healing Girl Summer

One of the most appealing parts of Brat Summer is acknowledging that there's beauty in our imperfections, but you can also do this by entering your healing era. Acknowledge that aspects of life are hard, and stop burning yourself out by trying to be perfect. Focus on your mental health and talk to someone (whether it's a trusted friend or a mental health professional) about what you're experiencing. Most importantly, let go of things that no longer serve you. You'll be happier and healthier once you do so.

Closing Thoughts 

From embracing the beauty of the messy parts of life to having fun in the midst of a chaotic political climate, there are some positive aspects of Brat Summer. It's important for women to learn their worth and be their best selves, but you don't have to act like an unprincipled brat to do so.

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