As the leaves start to fall and puffer jackets come out of storage, those of us here in New England begin to mourn the life we had just a few months ago. For students, the summertime is a much-needed breath of fresh air from the lull and dull of the school year. No classes, no stress—nothing but soaking in as much sunshine as possible (plus an internship if you’re lucky). Summer has always been a longtime favorite for students, teachers, and parents, but in recent years, we’ve seen the season evolve into something a little more than just 104 days of vacation.

Summer 2024 was what social media users deemed a “Brat Summer.” Lime green, partying, and English singer-songwriter Charli XCX’s new hit album, Brat, absolutely took over the season. Collins Dictionary even crowned “Brat” as their 2024 Word of the Year. Brat green used to be Barbie pink, as summer 2023 was branded by the cultural phenomenon that was “Barbenheimer,” a celebration of the two highly anticipated back-to-back movies of the summer: Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. And arguably, ever since artist Megan Thee Stallion released the song in 2019, every summer has been some variation of a “Hot Girl Summer.” But what does this all really mean, and when did our summers become so characterized by trends in pop culture?

While Collins Dictionary defined “Brat” as an adjective, “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude,” the artist herself has provided a few more raw definitions. In a podcast with American influencer Jake Shane, Charli XCX described her version of Brat as direct and confrontational, explaining that “sometimes when you’re at your most vulnerable, you lash out, and become a bit confrontational… You act like a Brat when you're feeling insecure, so it's kinda like dealing with both of those elements.” And of course, Brat is also a lifestyle. In an interview with The News Movement, Charli explains that some of the Brat Summer essentials include “a pack of cigs and a Bic lighter. And like, a strappy white top with no bra. That's like, kind of all you need.”

Beyond the party-girl, rave-y underground aesthetic, Brat is also about being honest, blunt, and embracing the drama of it all. It is about owning the rawest version of yourself and accepting that sometimes, you might explode. As she sings about the ups and downs of entering her 30s and navigating the music industry to the tune of electro and hyperpop sounds, Charli successfully gave many young women a new perspective on life.

Though summer has passed, Brat successfully managed to extend its influence well into the fall. Charli continued releasing music well after the album’s initial release, producing remixes and collaborating with artist after artist, including Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Ariana Grande. Brat became a full-force powerhouse when Charli began the “Sweat” tour in September alongside Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan, turning arenas into full-on raves that energized people in a way like never before.

While Brat Summer may have differed aesthetically from its predecessors, it is not all that far off from them. Last year, we celebrated pink, femininity, and the power of female friendships. And since its conception, Hot Girl Summer has been about embracing being single, having fun, and living confidently. While our recent summers have been seemingly ruled by trends in the media, these trends signify something bigger: a shift toward reclaiming autonomy and joy in ways that are focused on empowering women.

Now that they’ve become a regularly scheduled part of our calendar year, these “Girl Summers” are more than just a trend. They are cultural moments in time that uplift and liberate women. They serve as a reminder to be confident, to live in the moment, to have fun, to forget what others may think, and to embrace one’s authentic self. Our “Girl Summers” encourage us to see the summertime as not just a season, but a state of mind—to live with no regrets, celebrate human connection, and find beauty within the good and the bad.