OMG, this is so ‘brat‘ or that was very ‘Demure‘ of you… These newest viral lingos have taken over everyone’s FYP. And at this point, as a person who is always so chronically online, I knew I had no escape from this. Both terms are polar opposites of each other, capturing the imaginations and emotions of Gen Zs and some millennials.
Emerging from the depths of TikTok, these completely different yet equally intriguing trends are reinventing what it means to be stylish, thoughtful, and, let’s not forget, a little bit messy. Thanks to trends, we have innumerable memes, TikTok dances, celebrity reels repeating demure, and some flashy green lines that have embodied our social media.
But what does it all imply? If the term brat conjures images of spoiled kids or the phrase demure gives images of etiquette classes, you might have the wrong picture.
What is Demure?
It all started when Jools Lebron, a content creator, posted a video telling her followers how to appear very demure and mindful in a variety of real-life scenarios.
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“You see how I do my makeup for work? Very demure. Very mindful. I don’t come to work with a green crease. I don’t look like a clown when I go to work. I don’t do too much. I’m very mindful while I’m at work. You see how I look very presentable? The way I came to the interview is the way I go to the job. A lot of you girls go to the interview looking like Marge Simpson and go to the job looking like Patty and Selma. Not demure. I’m very modest. I’m very mindful.” Basically, it’s just a fancy term for the clean girl aesthetic. (Read more about it here.)
What is Brat Summer?
On the other hand, Brat Summer is a trend that is as loud and chaotic as it can get. This trend took its cues from Charli XCX’s album Brat, which is all about letting go of inhibitions, living carefree, and embracing your inner rebel. If being modest means exercising restraint, being a brat is questioning authority while donning some goth or bloke-core outfits.
Other elements are lime green, leather, and a smokey eye that’s a bit smudged. Charlie’s entire album has many personal and self-reflective songs, which, considering Charli XCX’s past discography, is quite a refreshing take. (Read more about it here.)
So, what team are you on? Scroll our slide show to pick your fighter:
Also, read: How Charlie XCX’s Latest Album ‘Brat’ Gave Us A New Form of Self Love This Summer
