From neon green flyers to Edon’s “Brat Housewarming” party, Brat Summer has officially reached Yale’s campus. The trend began with the release of Charli XCX’s latest album “brat,” on June 7, 2024, and immediately took over social media with neon green memes, dance pop and party girl aesthetics. The “brat” effect even reached Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign: Kamala HQ welcomed Gen Z to their Instagram page using low resolution, arial font plastered on a neon green background, mimicking Charli XCX’S “brat” album cover.

But brat summer seems to be coming to an unfortunate end as leaves are losing their green and apples are rotting right to the core. On Sept. 2, via X, Charli XCX tweeted “goodbye forever brat summer” and the finality of her statement seemingly marks the end of this era. But will brat summer ever truly be over? While the neon aesthetic might be tired, the party girls aren’t.

Brat is a trend to some but a lifestyle to others. You don’t have to guess what’s going on down there on the dance floor. It’s about being messy and working it out on the remix. Girlhood is confusing, but sometimes you just need to listen to club beats with your friends. Or film a TikTok dance. That’s what living the Von Dutch life is. At least, this is all in theory. 

I was told I’m not very brat. Apparently wearing a neon green glow stick is not brat enough for an outfit — according to a random encounter I had on the way to a brat party one Sunday night. “This is brat” said the guy pointing to his basic white T-shirt and jeans combo. He was right. Brat is a mindset, and you have to embrace it. 

Sprinting through downpouring rain to get to a frat party? That’s brat. Mascara running down your face? Very brat. Hopping a fence? Also brat. Going to Woads the night before an exam? Brat. Accidentally waking up your roommate when you return to your dorm at 3 a.m.? So Julia. 

Sometimes you just want to rewind and go back to brat summer, but the average party activities will always be part of college so while the neon green may die, the lifestyle won’t. Trends may come and go, but brat is forever at Yale.