Why are teens on TikTok trying to dress like the Menendez brothers?

(NEXSTAR) – Probably no one expected 2024 to be a big year for the Menendez brothers. As well as becoming the subject of a controversial true crime series on Netflix, the introduction of new evidence could lead to a review of their convictions.

The brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of the brutal murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, who were shot multiple times in their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989. Both men were arrested in 1990 after that Erik confessed to his therapist. . Despite both brothers’ claims that their father had sexually abused them and that their actions were in self-defense, these statements were not allowed to be presented during the trial that led to their life sentences.

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Now, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón says his office will re-evaluate the Menendez brothers’ convictions, saying that while he doesn’t believe there were any errors in the original trial, the office will try to determine whether the inclusion of new evidence could have led to a different result.

And as if that attention wasn’t enough, Lyle and Erik are also currently the main characters in one of Netflix’s best shows.

“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” premiered on Netflix last month and quickly became both a must-see for some and a “I’ll never watch” for others. It is the latest crime anthology series from “Glee” and “American Horror Story” creator Ryan Murphy, which previously centered on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

Murphy has been criticized for the “Monsters” series, with many victims expressing their wish that such a series would not be made. But as with Dahmer season – which saw “Dahmer glasses” become a fashion trend – the new season has given the internet two controversial new style icons in the Menendez brothers.

While “Monsters” features a cast of veterans (Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny), its stars, Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Lyle Menendez) and Cooper Koch (Erik Menendez) have catapulted themselves to Internet heartthrob and babygirl status — and their wardrobe from the series has become a coveted aesthetic for some teens and young adults online.

The craze, which is strongest on TikTok, seems to be a continuation of the “old money aesthetic” that really took off among Gen Z last year. Fashion style favors clean, “preppy” and quality clothing rather than trends. Any “old money style” lookbook would likely feature outfits worn by John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette, in addition to a detailed “Dickie Greenleaf Fashion” manual.

And now TikTokers are taking notes on both the real and fictional versions of the Menendez brothers. Whether they’re simply recreating the Menendez brothers’ fashion or using them for “outfit inspiration,” the social network offers a seemingly endless wealth of content about the brothers and their acting counterparts.

“Let’s create a Lyle Menendez outfit,” says TikToker FashionJfer, who has over 1 million followers on the platform. In his video on the subject, he explains: “Even though the story is crazy, Erik and Lyle’s crises are not the kind to play. »

Among young men in particular, the style of clothing featured in “Monsters” (lots of Ralph Lauren, tennis-type clothing) has also become something of a joke to get girls’ attention.

“I’m playing Lyle Menendez for Halloween so she’ll pay more attention to me,” creator Torinbrooks says in his popular video.

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Meanwhile, on Reddit, users also attempted to track down various items worn by Koch and Chavez. A thread in the FindFashion subreddit attempted to find the creator of a particular blue and white sweater worn by Koch (pictured above). One user wrote: “I’ve been looking for ALL the fashion from this show ever since I watched this show. Every sweater.

This trend, however, is not welcomed by many. Although recent years and new evidence may have softened the brothers’ image, some, like Lucía García of the Latin Times, argue that making Lyle and Erik fashion icons “trivializes the tragic events that shaped the life of the Menendez brothers”.

However, whatever resentments and criticisms exist, this doesn’t appear to be blocking “Monsters” creator Murphy from potentially more Menendez content. Murphy recently said that a potential exit for Lyle and Erik could warrant “bonus episodes” for audiences to “see how this story ends.”

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