We called it here first: It's officially Brat Summer. Charli XCX has swept in a new era of gutsy, sex-emboldened womanhood, and we've been eating out of her palm. This is not to say that we haven't taken notes. We have. From her earliest days soundtracking the heartrending The Fault in Our Stars movie (I was fourteen, alright?) to producing one of my favourite sonic hits, the under-adored You're The One remix with Blood Orange, her discography and lore is as expansive as they come. Yet one thing that needs no priming for is her looks. Elevated and club-ready, Charli's looks are also doggedly consistent. Within her aesthetic, you'll get micro-minis, slogan tees, and PVC leather by the way of Balenciaga and Saint Laurent.
There's a metric of affected slovenliness measured in eensy increments. Charli will be the first to tell you: Looking slightly dishevelled is the new way of being. Let us be very clear. Nothing is ever sloppy with Charli. Accordingly so, she's the first to let her hair down. Haven't you heard? It's the same as Lorde's.
In the words of Isabelle Truman: "Being in one’s Brat era means understanding that some days you’ll feel hot and others you’ll feel vulnerable. Sometimes at this age all you’ll want to do is go to the club (Club Classics), and others you’ll be worrying about whether you’re missing your chance to have a baby (I think about it all the time). Sometimes you'll be in sweatpants and a hoodie, others you'll be in a girly summer dress, and others you'll serving c*nt in blacked out sunglasses and knee-high boots."
To prime for more of your Brat Summer to come, we've got plenty of study material. Below, these are some of the best Charli XCX style moments – from street-wear to haute couture. Off-duty, Met Ball, in between sets – it's all Von Dutch.
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A birthday girl who commits to the birthday outfit. Micro shorts are so, so in.
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Wearing the unofficial uniform of the summer, a Brat t-shirt. Unreal.
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We adore the two buttons up and down rule.
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A sample of her streetwear best. I will always applaud an exposed midriff.
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Even at the Met, our Charlotte is staying true to her punk roots. It's all deadstock, and it's very Essex.
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Identical to me traipsing off towards the office. Or so I'd like to think.
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Undeniably her best look in my books. A glass-blown corset sculpted to sternum in multiple colourways. There's not much else to say.
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Kick0ns-ready. And I mean it in the best way.
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A true Balenciaga muse.
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This is not so much office siren as it is matron siren, but we're still hooked.
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Like Charli, I am a huge fan of slate-greys and draped layering. It's not all that confusing to be a girl, mayhaps.
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Draped in black before the Coperni show.
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Coastal wear to Charli is Jean Paul Gaultier.
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No further words.
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On-grounds at the Loewe Fashion show.
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Catwoman PVC in New York City.
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A red debut.
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Black, sheer lace from top to toe. We want to see a 360.
