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20 Brat Summer Style Essentials for Outfits That Serve It-Girl Energy
By Olivia Cigliano,
2 days ago
Every summer seems to take on a new theme that’s adjacent with style trends. There’s been hot girl summer, tomato girl summer, and Barbie summer, but Charli XCX’s acclaimed new album has officially labeled 2024 as the summer of the “brat.” It’s all about dancing with your besties, catching flights, and serving looks — slay.
We rounded up the best brat summer style pieces to add to your summer wardrobe, whether you’re headed to a rave or doing a (pretend) pap walk to the coffee shop.
What Is Brat Summer?
The “cult-classic” pop star is painting every city glow-in-the-dark green, a shade she carefully selected from 65 swatches as an unexpected, harsh hue to play into brutalist themes present in her album of the summer. Style notes of offensive colors, heavy texture, and black-out sunglasses at night juxtapose vulnerability woven through the album, which turns the idea of “bratty attitude” on its head. Brat summer is not about being an actual brat, it’s about feeling like one — to live so authentically that you become your own muse (“I’m so Julia”).
Naturally, brat girls are fashion girls. It’s that internet It-girl energy, like the cast of icons in Charli XCX’s “Avengers”-style “360” music video that rounded up Julia Fox , Gabbriette , Salem Mitchell , and mother brat Chloë Sevigny . Think: The anti-clean girl. And ask yourself, “what would a Bratz doll wear?”
Charli XCX said on the Anything Goes podcast that upon writing the album, she envisioned the ultimate brat as a girl out on the town, sweating in the club, and wearing a simple white tank top. Her imagined muse went on to inspire more tracks, like “365,” a remixed anthem that calls out French manicures, and “Mean girls,” which invokes imagery of sheer white dresses and last night’s makeup. Defined by sexy and mischievous staples like micro hems, liquid leather, heavy hardware, platform boots, and beyond, the vibe is eclectic ’90s, meets Y2K, meets now . It’s chic in an if-you-know-you-know kind of way. But it’s not rocket science.
Friday marked the start of 💚Brat Summer💚 and we’re living for it. Charlie XCX released her 15 song album on Friday, but then went on to surprise fans with 3 more songs on an extended version released on Sunday 🤯 #bratgirlsummer #bratsummer #charlixcx #music #brat
Below, shop editor-curated brat summer outfit ideas that’ll have you “lookin’ like an icon”.
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Charli XCX deemed a white tank top the official uniform for brat summer. Save over $10 on this classic Gap style that’ll be a staple in your wardrobe no matter the season.
A signature of the head brat-in-charge (we’re talking about Charli) is her edgy sunglasses — meant to be worn no matter the time of day — and this affordable sport style mirrors her go-to shades.
If you’ve kept up with Charli XCX’s It-girl antics since just before the start of her brat era, you know she’s slung the coveted Ganni Bou Bag from the club to daytime outings. Contemporary and bold, it’s the perfect summer bag for day and night.
Editor testing and review notes : “True story: I bought this bag this summer because it’s been living rent-free in my head ever since Charli wore it . It’s equal parts edgy and chic, and I’m particularly in love with its knotted strap that works as a top handle or shoulder bag — along with a crossbody strap. It actually has two fairly spacious compartments that allows me room to store sunglasses, a film camera, a wallet, and more lip glosses than I actually need.”
Chunky chokers polish off any brat summer ensemble. This one comes pierced and speckled with pearls that pair well coquette-core elements in your wardrobe from spring.
To officially kick off your brat summer, you have to post your version of “The Apple” dance to TikTok — or at least post a hot, perfectly undone selfie. This silicone hand mount allows you to film and shoot hands-free, so you can “put the camera flash on” and effortlessly “work angles.”
It’s a wonder Charli XCX hasn’t worn this number yet. Available in black and green, this gauzy asymmetric minidress flashes a but of skin and snatches the body in flattering draping.
Price upon publish date of this article: $322
Essie Expressie Power Moves Quick Dry Nail Polish in "Main Character Moment"
Someone on the Essie team is a brat. Why else would they name this acid green manicure “Main Character Moment,” right?
Editor testing and review notes: “This line of Essie polishes delivers on vibrant colors for summer, and this brat green hue immediately caught my eye. It took about three coats to reach maximum opacity, but you can get away with two for a jelly-like glaze.”
Style these shiny leather boots with cut-offs and “ hotpants ” — a WWD-coined phrase for the shortest of short shorts — for the brat summer look, then keep them in rotation for fall.
When it comes to brat summer glam, messy is the mood. This pencil liner ranks in our list of the best waterproof eyeliners for its easy-to-smudge formula and lasting wear.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is one of the best drugstore waterproof eyeliners for its color payoff and longevity. While testing the liner over the course of a week, I was able to wear it for a max of 12 hours without any flaking, transferring, or smudging. It also features all the fixings of a prestige liner, with a built-in smudging tip and a sharpener.”
Celeb-loved Le Specs sunglasses always deliver on-trend styles for an affordable price. This racer pair is reminiscent of Balenciaga shades, and, according to the brand, is inspired by “millennial summers”.
Within the brat summer style aesthetic (and the album itself), there’s a balance between edgy eclecticism and chic romance. Charli XCX called out French nails in the rave anthem “365,” and these ones from Glamnetic are an editor favorite.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “While testing long press-on nails, I noticed one common issue: They’re far more likely to break than shorter options. That’s not the case with Glamnetic. They’re the only lengthy press-ons I could wear for more than a week without dealing with chipping. The nails are thinner and lighter than other press-ons, but they stayed secure until I removed them. I always keep this French tip, almond style in rotation for a chic manicure that goes with everything.”
Mango’s biker-inspired, faux leather leather skirt creates the perfect juxtaposition to a soft ribbed tank with a lacy bra underneath or any flirty, feminine top.
Keep cool with this purse-friendly fan that doubles as a portable phone charger for bumpin’ nights out with the girlies.
Price upon publish date of this article: $12.99
The Brat Summer Style Fashion Trend
Left to right: Gucci fall 2024, Acne spring 2024, Diesel spring 2024
Last summer’s Barbie girls are aptly trading in their pretty pink pieces for fashionable dystopian-esque separates with a futuristic touch that scream brat-itude. The top-trending aesthetic combines a hodge-podge of it-girl references, from back-in-the-day Tumblr girl style to Tiktok trendsetters of today like Julia Fox and Gabbriette , which includes ’90s sunglasses, smudged eyeliner, and chunky Dr. Martens boots.
Of course, it all exists in the same world as Charli XCX ‘s performance and street style, which often includes designer fashions from Loewe, Balenciaga, Gucci, Mugler, Acne Studios, Diesel, and Miu Miu, to name a few, with style signatures like gauzy dresses, slouchy or knee-high boots, and futuristic sunglasses. Consider head-to-toe denim with heavy distressing and acid washing, asymmetrical raw-hem tops and distressed mini skirts to pair with a high-gloss luxury handbag .
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Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. At WWD, she regularly reports on celebrity style and top-trending, Tiktok-viral aesthetics, like brat summer, which happens to be Cigliano’s current style obsession of the moment.
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