From Politics to Pop: How Brat Summer With Charli XCX’s Influence Is Shaping Style & Shoes
Since Charli XCX released her her sixth studio album "Brat," in June, she's been dominating the pop culture zeitgeist. Here's why.
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you know it’s Brat summer. Since Charli XCX released her her sixth studio album, “Brat,” in June, she’s been dominating the charts and the digital discourse. So much so, the Internet declared 2024 Brat summer, a play off the continued theme of dubbing a season with a certain vibe, attitude and accompanying aesthetic — i.e. “Hot Girl Summer” or “Feral Girl Fall.”
What is Brat summer, you ask? According to Charli XCX, it’s an array of things. When she released the album she explained the process, writing on Instagram… “also just going ‘f—k it, it’s brat!’ and doing whatever the f—k we want.” At its core, the idea is to unabashedly be yourself, be brazen, fearless and bold. It could look like partying in the wee hours of the morning to cruising on a speed boat. It could even look like Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Sunday, President Joe Biden officially dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Harris. Celebrities quickly followed showing their support for Harris, with Charli XCX simply Tweeting: “Kamala IS brat.”
kamala IS brat
— Charli (@charli_xcx) July 22, 2024
Harris is also leaning in. Shortly after the announcement, the @BidenHQ official campaign account on X changed to @KamalaHQ, with banner art to mimic Charli XCX’s “brat” album cover, replacing brat with “Kamala” in the same font and green background.
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Without fail, fashion is getting in on Brat summer, too. Brands have been touting slime green shoes and products that embrace an unfiltered and unapologetic attitude. Kate Spade, for instance, sent out its Brat “starter pack,” filled with green flats, handbags and matching sets. Charles & Keith, meanwhile, has promoted its lime green platform sandals.
Brat summer essentials, Charli XCX, said in interview, can be luxury but it can also be “trashy.” “A pack of cigs, and like a Bic lighter, and like a strappy white top with no bra,” she explained.
Picture Y2K looks — short shorts, oversized leather jackets, thigh-high pointed-toe boots and trucker hats. According to DePop, searches for “Charli XCX” were trending in June, with 212% MoM uptick. On July 4, online retailer Lyst said that searches for slime green rose 17% in the past two weeks.
Keep scrolling for the ultimate Brat summer shoes.
