What TikTok fashion craze did the Menendez Brothers inspire? Clothing trend influence from the subjects of Monsters 2, explored

Monsters 2
Monsters 2 inspires Gen Z in recreating the 90s look (Image Source: Netflix)

Based on the controversial 1989 parricide in Los Angeles, California, Ryan Murphy's Monsters 2 continues to remain in the headlines. The anthology series debuted on Netflix in September 2024, focusing on how Lyle and Erik Menendez gunned down their parents José and Kitty Menendez at their Beverly Hills mansions.

Monsters 2 has brought light to the Menedez brothers' case once again, and the two are even set for a retrial after new evidence has emerged. The brothers stand by the claim of being se*ually, mentally, and emotionally harassed by their parents, mainly José Menendez who allegedly blackmailed one of his sons if they ever tried to expose them.

The new evidence includes an old letter written by Erik Menendez to his cousin, and a rock band member's claim that José Menendez once se*ually assaulted him. This evidence might result in the reconsideration of Lyle and Erik Menendez's convictions, as they have also been constantly improving and advocating for child abuse.

Monsters 2 features Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle, and Cooper Koch as his younger brother Erik Menendez. Following the true crime series, teens and young adults have started the "old money style" trend on TikTok.

In this viral trend, TikTokers recreate the 80s look inspired by Lyle and Erik Menendez in Monsters 2. To follow the Menendez brothers' style inspo, youngsters wear polo shirts, cropped trousers, pilot sunglasses, and most importantly, sweaters over shoulders, for an effortless look.


Netflix's Monsters 2 inspired an 80s clothing trend on TikTok

Kitty and José Menendez in Monsters 2 (Image Source: Netflix)
Kitty and José Menendez in Monsters 2 (Image Source: Netflix)

While many didn't like Monsters 2 because of the dramatization of the characters, others have found interest in digging deeper into the case. It has also inspired trend followers and Gen Z to recreate the Menendez brothers' clothing style, which they are referring to as an old-money aesthetic look.

Not only this, but the actors have also gained a new fanbase following their sophisticated, yet casual looks in the anthology series. User @fashionjfer took to their TikTok handle and said "Although the story is crazy, Erik and Lyle’s fits are not one to play with". The user praised Lyle Menendez' look from Monsters 2 as he puts on a classic Ralph Lauren shirt and skinny jeans and called the outfit a "rich boy style" in the video.

Another user @zidangonz also posted a video inspired by the Menendez brothers' clothing. Since many are following this trend, how could brothers and content creators Nicolas and Emiliano or @nicolasandemiliano miss out on this one? Their video is going viral on the platform as they recreated Erik and Lyle Menendez's styles from Monsters 2.

A still from the TikTok video of @nicolasandemiliano
A still from the TikTok video of @nicolasandemiliano

The two first recreated the prison look of the actors from the series, followed by outfits worn by real-life Lyle and Erik Menendez during their trials. Their third outfit is inspired by Monstres 2 in which Lyle and Erik wore light blue and baby pink shades while killing their parents. The video ended with another recreation of the real-life Menendez brothers' outfits.

The above-mentioned videos are just a few examples of how youngsters flaunt the 80s and 90s look featured in the Netflix true-crime series. You can find more videos on the Menendez brothers on TikTok.


What's the latest news on the Menendez brothers retrial?

Following the murders of their own parents in 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez have been serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. While Lyle Menendez has turned 56, his younger brother Erik Menendez is 53 now. They both have been kept in the same prison where Kim Kardashian and Cooper Koch visited them in September 2024.

Per CNN US, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón stated that he will request a resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez in the court on Friday. If the attorney's request is accepted, the brothers will be eligible for parole. Gascón said:

"I believe that they have paid their debt to society and the system provides a vehicle for their case to be reviewed by a parole board..."

Since their trial began, Lyle and Erik Menendez gave only one reason for killing their parents: they were abusive. The brothers have allegedly suffered years of physical and emotional torture which led them to take a horrifying step.


Also Read: Is Escape at Dannemora based on a true story? Everything you need to know about the Golden Globe winning series explored

Monsters 2 is available on Netflix

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Edited by Mudeet Arora