The summer of brats is over! Gen Z women ditched lime green for gothic makeup (inspired by pop rival Charli XCX)

Gen Z is wrapping up the season of debauchery after what has been dubbed “the summer of the brats” and is looking for new ways and styles to continue their rebellious fun.

According to the latest Pinterest search data, young people are going crazy for the latest “dark feminine energy” aesthetic that embraces a gothic look and helps explore their “dark side.”

The fashion trend, which plays on the deliberately unkempt look of a bratty summer aesthetic, features dark grunge-inspired clothing, smudged eyeliner, and Halloween-style corsets.

The aesthetic is described as representing the “darker sides” of individuals and purports to reflect a “metaphorical rebalancing” of power – backed by the power of ce.

To achieve this look, young people don tight corsets, lace clothes, latex dresses and leather pants to look both wicked and alluring.

To keep everything in order, the look also requires carefully smudged eyeliner, dark, plump lips and intense wine-colored nails.

Unlike the slightly disheveled look that the brat aesthetic encourages, the dark feminine look is intentionally glamorous. This is an aesthetic that is meant to break hearts with its smoldering gaze.

The aesthetic is intended to show the darker side of femininity, breaking away from the “clean girl” aesthetic that previously dominated Gen Z style.

The trend, which encompasses both style and “personality,” also encourages “confidence and assertiveness.”

According to one TikTok creator, moving away from sweet and flirtatious femininity is about accepting repressed desires and rejecting “social expectations.”

During New York Fashion Week earlier this month, designers Luar, Wiederhoeft, Kim Shui, Christian Cowan and Jason Wu incorporated the trend into their spring-summer 2025 runway shows, showcasing gothic, witchy-looking ensembles that fit the aesthetic.

A search through the trend reveals many dark female icons who have led the trend with their mysterious and dark aesthetic.

Alexa Demie, Rihanna, Megan Fox and Lana Del Ray are some of the stars who are considered to embody the dark feminine personality.

The surge in interest is also likely inspired by the red carpet, where pop singer Taylor Swift recently caught the attention of fans when she appeared at the VMAs in a typically dark feminine outfit.

The Reputation singer wore a black and yellow checkered corset, paired with long latex sleeves with holes cut out at the shoulders, and finished off with smudged eye makeup – a look consistent with the dark grunge aesthetic.

Other stars popularizing the aesthetic with dark, moody outfits include Camila Cabello, Megan Thee Stallion, Lisa, Suki Waterhouse and Chappell Roan.

Selena Gomez also presented a dark feminine look at the Toronto International Film Festival, wearing a black dress with a deep neckline and sequins with a rose on the chest.

Meanwhile, at the premiere of her new movie Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega made a witch look in a tight green corset dress and elbow-length black silk gloves.

Searching the trend also yields photos of many movie and TV characters who have been seen as villainous femme fatales.

Creative director of makeup brand Addiction Tokyo, Kanako Takase, told Glamor that the appearance of “cold glow and dark elegance” was initially inspired by Bette Davis’ character in Madame Sin.

As Kanako explained, the character of Bette Davis was intended to be a “cold, evil and wealthy criminal”.

Marilyn Monroe is another popular choice among Generation Z looking for inspiration with “dark feminine energy.” In the film noir Niagra, the blonde beauty plays the femme fatale, adopting a typically sultry yet dark appearance throughout the 1953 production.

Angelina Jolie’s character in the 1999 film Girl Interrupted also plays a femme fatale with chopped bangs and a ragged, unscrupulous look – embodied by a real-life actress at the time.