How a splash of slimy ‘brat’ green could instantly modernise your look
Call it lime or call it slime, the trending colour of summer 2024 isn’t a traditionally pretty one. That’s entirely the point according to Charli XCX, the British pop star who has popularised the hue known as ‘brat green’, which is currently washing over Gen Z wardrobes and is even a talking point at the White House.
“We wanted something that felt the most jarring,” said Imogene Strauss, the creative director who helped select the precise colour featured on the singer’s vivid new ‘brat’ album cover. “It’s a shade of green that’s just the right amount of ugly. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But the girls who get it, get it,” she said.
Anyone over the age of 30 probably feels flummoxed by the roots of this trend – or considers it another hark back to grunge. It is perhaps designed to make us feel this way. When Charli XCX declared on social media this week that “kamala is brat”, the adults running the Harris campaign quickly set the vice president’s Twitter backdrop to lime. This was their chance to appear down with the kids.
Away from this context, lime green was already a favoured ingredient on the catwalk for this summer –and it’s a mixer that has the surprising potential to modernise an otherwise classic outfit.
Lime was mixed in outfit cocktails with gold and burgundy in Ralph Lauren’s collection – and with khaki and beige at Tod’s. Meanwhile, Valentino’s couture show proved how sophisticated a splash of slime can look when paired with pale pink and sky blue, dove grey, cobalt and black.
You can wear slime to work – it looks particularly sharp with navy. Unexpectedly, it’s perhaps one of the most versatile hues you can add to your day-to-day colour palette.
“Lime green can be a controversial fashion colour, possibly because unlike most green shades that are viewed as calming and harmonising, lime stands out and really can steal the limelight,” says Jules Standish, a colour consultant and author.
Navy and lime is one of her favourite pairings, while styling a green and hot pink outfit, she says, is particularly fun and uplifting for parties and summer lunches with friends.
Satin bag, ￡128, Hai Gina x Whistles
Silk shirt, ￡62, Jigsaw
“Lime and cream or white will also offer a gorgeous summer combination that is refreshing and optimistic, whilst toning down a lime outfit with a more neutral appeal for any sunny event,” she suggests.
To wear neon green from top to toe is a bold look, and one that may wash out “cooler blue based skin tones”, according to Standish. That said, there is plenty of slime on the high street, so anyone can consider injecting just a splash into their existing wardrobe.
COS’s mossy cardigan would look great with indigo denim jeans, while Whistles vivid mule block heels might liven up a navy wedding guest dress. Just the collar on Tory Burch’s polo top is fluoro, and it could easily be tucked into white wide leg trousers or a beige cotton A-line skirt.
Wool cardigan, ￡85, COS
Leather mules, ￡99, Whistles
Polo top, ￡285, Tory Burch
Neons always look good on exotic holidays too. Pack Loewe’s basket bag and take it to a fancy beach club restaurant, worn with a billowing silk caftan and gold sandals.
The only rule is to buy into this colour at full strength – it’s a cop out to wear polite spearmint or pastel onyx instead. For those willing to do a dress, Marks & Spencer has an excellent linen midi for ￡45 – throw a cream jacket over the shoulders if you wish to cool it down a bit. The Fold has a satin co-ord – a top and skirt – that couldn’t read as less ‘bratty’ and would look just as effective when worn separately as it would in a two-piece for a summer wedding.
Satin top, ￡195, and skirt, ￡235, The Fold
Anagram basket bag, ￡625, Loewe
Linen halter dress, ￡45, Marks & Spencer
“This particular colour is a more stimulating shade than other greens, and brings a joyful hit of happiness,” Standish says of the power lime green can hold. “This is a feel-good, mood-boosting colour to wear.”
