Why are teens on TikTok trying to dress like the Menendez brothers?

(NEXSTAR) — Nobody probably expected 2024 to be a big year for the Menendez Brothers. In addition to becoming the subject of a controversial Netflix true crime series, the introduction of new evidence could lead to a re-consideration of their convictions.

The brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of the brutal murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, who were shot multiple times inside their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989. The pair were arrested in 1990 after Erik confessed to his therapist. Despite claims from both brothers that their father sexually abused them and that their actions were in self-defense, these statements were not allowed to be presented at the trial which led to their life sentences.

Now, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón says his office will be reevaluating the Menendez brothers’ convictions , saying that while he doesn’t believe there were errors in the original trial, the office will attempt to determine if inclusion of the new evidence could have led to a different outcome.

And if this attention weren’t enough, Lyle and Erik are also currently the lead characters in one of Netflix’s top shows.

“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” premiered on Netflix just last month and quickly became both a must-watch for some and an ‘I will never watch’ for others. It’s the latest in “Glee” and “American Horror Story” creator Ryan Murphy’s true crime anthology series, which previously centered on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer .

Murphy has been criticized for the “Monsters” series, with many victims expressing their wishes for such a series to not be made. But as with the Dahmer season — which found “Dahmer glasses” becoming a fashion trend — the new season has given the internet two new controversial style icons in the Menendez brothers.

While “Monsters” features a cast of veterans (Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny), its stars, Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Lyle Menendez) and Cooper Koch (Erik Menendez) have catapulted to internet heartthrob and babygirl statuses — and their wardrobe from the series has become a coveted aesthetic for certain teens and young adults online.

The craze, which is most alive on TikTok, appears to be a continuation of the “old money aesthetic” that really took off among Gen Z last year. The fashion style favors clean-cut, “preppy,” and quality garments over trends. Any “old money style” lookbook would likely feature outfits worn by John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette , in addition to a detailed “Dickie Greenleaf fashion” how-to manual.

And now TikTokers are taking notes from both the real-life and fictional versions of the Menendez brothers. Whether they’re simply recreating the Menendez brothers’ fashion or using them for “outfit inspo,” the social network has a seemingly endless bounty of content about the brothers and their actor counterparts.

“Let’s build a Lyle Menendez outfit,” says TikToker FashionJfer, who has over 1 million followers on the platform. In his video on the subject, he explains: “Although the story is crazy, Erik and Lyle’s fits are not one to play with.”

Among young men in particular, the style of dress shown in “Monsters” (lots of Ralph Lauren, tennis-type clothes) has also become a kind of in-joke as a way of getting girls’ attention.

“Going as Lyle Menendez for Halloween so she pays more attention to me,” says creator torinbrooks in his popular video.

Meanwhile, on Reddit, users have also been trying to track down various items worn by Koch and Chavez. One thread in the FindFashion subreddit , attempted to find the designer of one particular blue and white sweater worn by Koch (pictured above). One user wrote : “I’ve been looking for ALL fashion from this show since watching this show. Every sweater.”

The trend isn’t well-received by many, however. Though recent years and new evidence have perhaps softened the brothers’ images, some, like Latin Times’ Lucía García argue that turning Lyle and Erik into fashion icons “trivializes the tragic events that shaped the Menendez brothers’ lives.”

Whatever ill feelings and criticism exist, however, doesn’t seem to be stalling “Monsters” creator Murphy in potentially more Menendez content. Murphy recently said that a potential release of Lyle and Erik could warrant “bonus episodes” for the audience to “see how this story ends.”

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