Queen Elizabeth II Popularized ‘Brat Green’ First

In case you haven’t yet noticed, it’s brat summer. The dress code? Anything in a sickening lime green.

Charlie XCX is the catalyst for the ‘brat’ phenomenon, thanks to her newly-released Brat album celebrating the rebellion of carefree, happy, and hedonistic women. The aesthetic, identifiable by a lurid shade of slime green, transcends a mere fashion trend; it describes the ultimate female persona.

According to the pop star, the term Brat Girl defines “that girl who is a little messy, likes to party, and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. She feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown. But she parties through it, is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile.”

The trend has even found its way into US politics, with Vice President Kamala Harris adopting the term to encapsulate her attitude, age, and energy as she campaigns to become the country’s first-ever female president.

So what on earth does the late Queen Elizabeth II have to do with brat culture? Well, nothing directly, unless you consider her undeniably brat-coded wardrobe as grounds to declare her the original brat girl icon. Let us convince you…

1 /7

A Royal Ascot brat, 1973

The late Queen’s affinity for equestrianism often complemented her love of fashion, particularly at Royal Ascot, the royal’s most glamorous affair in the social calendar.

In the 70s, the Queen looked spectacular in a sickening shade of green. So brat.

2 /7

An international brat, 1990

The 90s were a time for experimental fashion, and it was also the era in which the Queen’s famous candy-colored wardrobe became synonymous with her reign.

During an overseas trip to Iceland in 1990, Queen Elizabeth II was seen wearing a delightful shade of green to meet with President Vigdis Finnbogadottir of Iceland.

3 /7

A polka-dot brat, 2002

The noughties were a time of exceptional fashion moments for the former monarch, who enchanted in a vibrant green dress peppered with blue polka dots on a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

4 /7

Brat queen summer, 2018

“She needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen’,” the Duchess of Edinburgh said in the documentary The Queen at 90.

“Don’t forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, 10, 15 deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the queen’s hat as she went past.”

5 /7

Brat green elegance, 2018

During a joint engagement with the Duchess of Sussex before she officially stepped away from royal duties, the Queen was seen giggling in a loud lime-green coat dress and matching hat.

6 /7

Brat green coat dress, 2021

Her Late Majesty ensured all eyes were on her as she stepped out in a fabulous lime green coat at the Royal Windsor Cup polo match and a carriage driving display in 2021. Icon behavior.

7 /7

A Platinum brat, 2022

In what was one of her very last public appearances, the late Queen dazzled on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in a vibrant green coat dress to mark 70 years on the throne.