From lime green bikinis to early nights in white sheets, what is a ‘brat summer’ traveller? Globetrender’s Gen Z reporter Arlo O’Callaghan reveals all.
In early June this year, English singer-songwriter Charli XCX released her latest album BRAT. With nostalgic party girl lyrics and a chartreuse album cover, the clever marketing campaign and easy meme-ability took the internet by storm and the concept of “brat summer” was born.
Following the trending “Barbie Summer” and “Hot Girl Summer” of previous years, this neon green brutalism seems to promote a much more relatable and attainable idea for all as opposed to the earlier trends.
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Speaking to a Gen Z friend about “brat summer”, she said: “It’s the opposite of clean girl. You’re in the club, you’re sweaty, your makeup is gone, and your outfit is iconic but it’s still not the focus, you’re just there having fun.” Another friend of mine said: “Brat summer is rave culture, it’s dancing till the sunrise and then doing it all again the next day”.
There is a theme of intoxication throughout the album, with tracks such as “365” promoting “never go home, don’t sleep, don’t eat, keep bumpin that” but BRAT has been taken to suit each person. Brat summer may be going to the club to forget about your ex but it can also be booking an impulsive flight to the south of France.
With “brat summer” trending, many have taken this as inspiration for their travel plans. Discussing with other Gen Zers, we agreed that “brat summer” isn’t just club-based, it can also be a day at the beach “serving looks” and soaking up the sun. There’s an edge of aestheticising the mundane and romanticising the everyday.
In her song “Everything is romantic”, Charli speaks of “Early nights in white sheets with lace curtains, Capri in the distance, in a place that can make you change”. She emits a wanderlust towards travel that surpasses the idea of feral nights at the club but doesn’t discount them.
Brat summer destinations can naturally sway towards European clubbing capitals such as Berlin and Barcelona, known for their incredible nightlife with world-famous clubs such as Berghain and Opium open till the early hours and beyond.
Following Charli’s set at Primavera Sound Barcelona earlier this year, the Spanish city seems to be endorsed by the original BRAT herself. I also know many who are seeking out their “brat summer” by travelling to London, the city where the singer-songwriter made a name for herself through performances in East London warehouses during her teens and the location of some of the BRAT studio recordings.
But while Charli revealed via Instagram reels that she wrote the song “Everything is romantic” in Southern Italy, it’s clear that “brat summer” is what you make it. It can be encompassed wherever you are from Sorrento to Brooklyn.
In an interview with The News Movement, Charli stated that “brat summer” can be “luxury”. She affirmed that it can be living it up on a speedboat but it doesn’t have to be. It can also be “trashy, just like a pack of cigs… a Bic lighter and a strappy top with no bra.”
I asked a friend how they’ll be manifesting “brat summer” on their trip to Mallorca this August, they confirmed: “I’ll definitely be having a BRAT Spain. This year it’s less about performing for the Instagram story and more about authentically having a good time. I’ll be on the beach in my BRAT green bikini and matching nails and then I’ll be stumbling home from my night out at 6am. I’ll be getting coffee and pastries the next day and it’ll still be BRAT.”
Whether it’s a city break or a coastal road trip, reading poetry in the French Riviera or travelling from the club straight to the airport, BRAT is taking form however we want it to this year. One thing remains clear, whatever Gen Z is doing this summer, Charli XCX’s latest album will be providing the soundtrack. Even Kamala Harris is BRAT (says Charli).