We’re obsessed with the brat summer of hedonism (and memes) sparked by Charli xcx’s album. Talking about who embodies the brat spirit in Aotearoa, one name was top of the list: Brittany “bratty” Cosgrove, fun traveller and TikToker and co-founder (with sister Johanna) of Nope Sisters.
Her TikTok bio is “bogan brat” and two years ago she coined gremlin girl winter – “where you add 15 pillows to your bed, cry every day, eat like shit and wear the same clothes for days at a time”. Who better to ask to share their guide to a brat winter, for those freezing in the southern hemisphere?
It’s an odd conundrum, caused by the pop princesses of the northern hemisphere, every year. Summer bangers blast through our speakers while we sit in our living rooms wearing jackets and beanies, looking at the clothes horse of wet undies that’s been there for 3-15 business days. Meanwhile, on our phone screens, hot babes party atop yachts wearing the hot summer outfits we have to wait another three or four months to wear.
Last year we watched Barbie summer from afar, this year it’s brat summer following the epic release of Charli xcx’s album (defined by the singer as, “a pack of cigs, a Bic lighter and a strappy white top with no bra”).
I cannot personally stand by and have our southern hemisphere hotties not represented. It's brat summer… but it’s winter. Because regardless of the temperature, I know there are hoards of mentally ill baristas with their Dr Martens laced, ready to ride for you Charli!
So what is brat winter?
It's about hitting the club at 5pm on the dot because it's already dark.
It’s friendships formed in the girls’ toilets, wearing vintage faux fur and using your steel capped Docs to kick rude boys in the nuts.
It’s going to your friend's album launch party for music made on four iPhone 6s, for the free Garage Project beer, and proudly rocking fake Balenciaga sunglasses indoors.
It’s the celebration of the unhinged, messy and loud girlies that have always been told they’re ’too much’ or ‘difficult’ and giving them their flowers for being the unstoppable forces they are.
It’s about bringing our club scene back from the brink of death with our chunky boots and a slutty top.
It’s drinking black coffee to the point of a self induced panic attack, and working it out on the remix with your mum because she wouldn’t let you wear cut off jorts to your cousin’s wedding.
It’s realising all girls are so Julia and should be allowed to commit arson without any consequences because we’re just girls.
With arts budgets slashed by Christopher Luxon and co., brat has given us a reason to put on that outfit we’ve been too scared to wear and go shake ass to our favourite local DJ/ musician/drag artist.
Like the Swifties of the past, I truly believe the brats of today can revive the economy and bring a spotlight to fashion, the arts and music by doing the things that really matter: looking hot and partying.
