These days, the mark of an icon or hot girl is the trademark neon green color addition to your wardrobe palette; the Kia forum in Los Angeles was no short of it for the Charli XCX and Troye Sivan “Sweat Tour.” The “Sympathy is like a Knife” and “Rush” duo kicked off their LA show at the Kia Forum on October 15th and 16th, where guests such as Tate McRae, Kesha, and Vinnie Hacker were brought on stage during performances.
I had the pleasure of attending this event, and the fashion from other fans did not disappoint. People from all walks of life are stunned by the famous slime green tops, mesh tanks, leather pants, mini skirts, moto jackets, and biker boots. I fell into this exact description (picture below).
Fans flocked to the box offices, waiting 12 hours in line just to witness such a legendary era that followed the release of the BRAT album back in June 2024. With this came the phrase, “It’s a BRAT summer,” which brought forth new dance trends and, most importantly, a rebirth of the popularity of the party girl aesthetic.
It seems the rise of the clean girl aesthetic has been rightfully buried underneath the desire to be the cool, trendy it girl that this singer has brought out amongst her fans alike. Through her music, Ms. XCX has created a new interest in indie sleaze fashion involving chunky boots and glasses, asymmetrical skirts, graphic tees, distressed tops, tights, flashes of skin, bras, undies, and lower back tattoos. And partying. Lots and lots of partying.
This type of “IT girl” that the singer is portraying and making music for is effortlessly cool while being the most authentic and messy version of herself, the life of the party type. Because did you even really party if you’re not at work the next day wearing your smeared eyeliner from the night before? This type of sentiment has been influential in pushing the younger generation into a direction in fashion that is exciting, bold, experimental, and maybe even a little niche?
So, who is behind these iconic looks from the groundbreaking era of BRAT?
Stylist Chris Horan has been a huge contributor to the fashion vision of the Sweat Tour for the UK singer. Horan has placed her in brands such as Mugler, Vivianne Westwood, Saint Laurent, Ann Demeulemeester, Rodarte, Maison Margiela, Luar, Acne Studios, and others alike. The direction of the clothing has had a fun, hot, unperfect vibe that serves high fashion while not looking like it’s trying too hard or coming off as unrelatable.
It feels that you went through your closet, put together something super quick, and were still the center of attention at the party. This is because the party girl aesthetic Charli presents to us is not only about fashion but the attitude of the person wearing it. Being a brat is a mindset; it’s a lifestyle.
While these brands well deserve their praise and success, many emerging and smaller brands also capture the cool girl mood that is so Charli's core.
Daria y Maria is an LA-based brand that plays with the mixing of a masculine jersey fit and a feminine dress fit to create an exciting, unique piece that is both fashion-forward and inventive.
Hood Baby LA uses vibrant colors, busy prints, and cool patterns to inspire memorable staple pieces for a night out or an aesthetic coffee run on Melrose.
(Tinashe photographed below)
Lilies of the Valley Knit is a handmade brand based in London that creates shaped sporty knits with a girly yet edgy feel for a graphic tee moment.
Lastly is Busybdy who is located in the heart of DTLA. This designer plays with asymmetry in skirts by pairing together different prints of dress shirts and sewing them together in an interesting way that creates an amalgamation of electrifying shapes and volume.
What new brands will you be trying to unleash your inner BRAT this fall? Throw out your boring brown color palette as the leaves fall from the trees and embrace your inner pop star this season in neon green.
Credits
Torres, Irish. “Irish Torres.” Classic, 25 Mar. 2024, www.classicspecs.com/closerlook/what-is-the-clean-girl-aesthetic-and-how-can-we-achieve-this-look/.
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