But the brat he will burn with unquenchable fire
Move over, brat summer—Hermit Autumn is wandering into this fashion desert, and it’s not a fan of visitors.
This new trend, sweeping college campuses across the nation, looks to replace Charlie XCX’s lime-green summer celebration as the dominant culture this year. Popularized by Catholic influencer St. John the Baptist, Hermit Autumn takes inspiration from ancient Middle-Eastern fashion and contemporary Catholic austerity. Hermit Autumn embodies a calm, grounded, and solitary vibe that students are raving about … quietly.
In a recent interview with the Desert Sun, one of Mr. Baptist’s disciples had this to say about the “Hermit Autumn phenomenon”: “When you’re ‘hermit,’ you know, you’re that guy who isn’t messy, because you don’t own anything other than a tunic and sandals. You’re that guy who loves to sit in his house, or in a cave in contemplation, and maybe says intellectual things sometimes. You’re stoic, meditative, a little antisocial. That’s hermit.”
Mr. Baptist’s disciples can be easily spotted all over campus, thanks to their unique style. Minimalistic birkenstock sandals (inspired by Mr. Baptist’s desert-ready footwear) are kicking back on quads everywhere. Faux camel fur Uggs are also having a moment, paying homage to famous hermits of the past while providing modern comfort. Rather than the traditional Mediterranean tunic, students carefully choose oversized t-shirts for everyday wear, often frayed, thrifted, or well-worn to create an air of worldly detachment and indifference. Students are also embracing the spirit of hermitage austerity by choosing shorts and skirts made with burlap, and declining to wear socks, coats, or formal wear.
The “hermit autumn” trend is more than fashion, however, it’s a lifestyle. Ardents will lock themselves in their dorm rooms for days, venturing outside only for meals, classes, or showers. Some creators discourage unnecessary showering, claiming that personal hygiene is far too “clean girl” to fit the aesthetic of hermit autumn. Even in public, the hermit-lifers are quiet and solitary, opting to sit alone at North Dining Hall instead of South’s community-size tables. For those who still allow themselves the luxury of music, students are listening to what they call “hermit classics,” including Gregorian chant and medieval hymnody.
The hermit autumn lifestyle also extends to food choices. Overall, the name of this solo-cooking game is to make the smallest meals possible, while packing in maximum nutritional value and online engagement. Prolific posts from influencer @herméshermit extol the virtues of dishes such as wild honey wraps, grilled home-grown locusts, micro-quinoa all-wheatless acai bowls, and “hermit-style americano,” made with plain brewed coffee—no creamer or added sugar allowed. Underneath posted recipes, comment sections are flooded with appreciation from fellow enthusiasts, using hashtags like “#hermitboyautumn” and “#that’ssohermit.”
The hermit life has achieved a cultural popularity on par with, if not exceeding, brat summer’s brief internet fame. Just this week, Mr. Baptist referenced the movement when he endorsed St. Jerome’s campaign for Saint of the Year, posting in the RtL group chat that, “Jerome IS hermit.” Whether this will be enough for St. Jerome to beat incumbent St. Juan Diego and third-century upstart St. Lawrence remains to be seen. Regardless, the campaign will be rife with material for hermit autumn’s many supporters.
C. Katiebelle Thompson is a part-time hermit from the outskirts of Lucketts, Virginia. When not communing with nature, she can be found communing with the force of gravity at the Duncan rock wall. Her hermitage, located in the wild territory of Walsh Hall, runs a small charity that serves coffee and snacks to sleep-deprived college students. You can reach her at cthomp23@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Irish Rover via Photo Shop
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