It’s been a little over a week since Charli XCX released her latest album, and I have spent hours debating what does and what does not constitute being a so-called Brat. Some of my colleagues think it involves wearing acid-green clothing because the album artwork happens to be acid-green, while others think it means behaving like an ill-mannered child. (Both are wrong.) To be a brat is to be short on cash but big on sass, snagged tights, black pants and a Dr Dray snatch.
A Brat is someone who looks into the mirrors of a club toilet and sees a dishevelled pop diva staring back. Charli herself has likened this spirit to “a pack of cigs, a Bic lighter and a strappy white top with no bra”. If a doorman were to shine a torch into her lopsided Courrèges handbag—she has at this point phased out the Diesel 1DR—he would find expired Rimmel eyeliners and crumpled-up receipts from Sexy Fish and a hand-held electric fan. She slipstreams between the hi-lo, smelling like Byredo Mixed Emotions and burnt clip-ins. A true Brat has—of course—owned the same GHDs since sixth form and is forever in possession of a questionable Uber rating. She says she has “amazing taste” and her favourite insult is “dumb b****”. And when she gets down she keeps on trucking with a can of Red Bull and Robyn blaring through her AirPods.
For an extensive selection of brat girl summer essentials, scroll here.
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The aura boosters: Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Eau de Parfum, $149
Available at Victoria’s Secret.
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The outfit formulas: Enfatnts Riches Déprimés silver necklace, $556
Available at Ssense.
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The outfit formulas: Manokhi mini belt skirts, $805
Available at Farfetch.
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The outfit formulas: Rick Owens lace-up boots, $457
Available at Cettire.
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The outfit formulas: Alpha Industries bomber jacket, $300
Available at Alpha Industries.
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The outfit formulas: Miu Miu buckle slingback pumps, $1,587
Available at Farfetch.
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The outfit formulas: MSGM bra-print sleeveless tank top, $223
Available at Farfetch.
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The outfit formulas: Marc Jacobs Kiki boots, $855
Available at Marc Jacobs.
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The beauty fundamentals: Stila waterproof liquid eye liner, $38
Available at Sephora.
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The beauty fundamentals: Peri Pera Water Bare tint, $14
Available at Watsons.
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The beauty fundamentals: Thefacetape Facetape kit, $49
Available at thefacetape.
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The beauty fundamentals: EcoStyle Olive Oil styling gel, $8.50
Available at LookFantastic.
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The wellness gets: Ashley Williams confidence cap, $90
Available at Ssense.
This article was first published in British Vogue.
