The Charli XCX Brat Summer: Why Green is More Popular Than Ever Right Now

'Brat' green is the loudest colour of the summer! It’s the most trending shade on social media and on the runways right now.

A sentiment analysis conducted by fashion & tech account on Instagram - @databutmakeitfashion

British hyperpop artist Charli XCX released her highly anticipated album ‘Brat’ on June 7th, and it's safe to say that its impact has been monumental. The album's release sparked an entire movement on social media, with fans creating viral dances to songs like ‘Apple’ among other tracks and coining phrases like ‘I'm everywhere, I'm so Julia’ in reference to Julia Fox and how she just happens to be everywhere.

This buzz gave rise to the brat summer, a lifestyle that Charli XCX fans have embraced wholeheartedly.

But what does it mean to be a brat in this context?

Contrary to the image of a spoiled and bratty child throwing tantrums, Charli XCX fans interpret being a brat as indulging in pleasure and shunning societal expectations. It’s about living unapologetically and embracing self-expression.

In the tradition of Bottega Veneta’s Kelly green, Valentino’s PP pink, and Gucci’s Ancora red, Charli XCX has claimed a colour that has permeated modern life.

Is it possible that Zendaya’s press tour wardrobe for Challengers had a hint of brat style? Or Chappell Roan’s Statue of Liberty performance at the Governors Ball? Even the green witch from ‘Wicked’ and the Green Lady of Brooklyn seem to embody this trend.

Brat green has firmly planted itself in the zeitgeist.

L to R: Zendaya, Chappell Roan and the Wicked Witch of the West (from Wicked).

Considering how quickly fashion houses reacted to Barbie pink in 2023, it's likely we will see more of this hue in September. But what makes this particular shade so memorable?

Green is universally associated with growth, wellness, and a peaceful life – but brat green is something different. It looks like mother nature's graphic card malfunctioned, like a printer ran out of blue ink, leaving an excessively yellowish tint. It’s a shade that sits uncomfortably between chartreuse and lime, reminiscent of toxic waste, infographic viruses, synthetic fruit flavours, and plastic astro-turf.

“I wanted to go with an offensive, off-trend shade of green to trigger the idea of something being wrong,” Charli explained in a recent profile with Vogue Singapore. “I’d like for us to question our expectations of pop culture. Why are some things considered good and acceptable, and some things deemed bad? I’m interested in the narratives behind that and I want to provoke people. I’m not doing things to be nice.”

Brat green challenges us to rethink our aesthetic norms and societal standards. Charli XCX's bold choice and the subsequent cultural wave it's created reflect a larger movement towards embracing the unconventional and questioning the status quo.

As brat green continues to dominate our visual culture, it’s a reminder that sometimes the most jarring shades can inspire the most profound reflections. Remember to embrace your brattiness this summer and don’t forget - you’re so Julia! 💚