When the blistering heat of summer gives way to autumn’s cool breezes, all hot girls go into hibernation and from the ashes of their Megan Thee Stallion lyrics and unapologetic confidence rises the “Christian Girl”. Armed with giant knitted scarves and pumpkin spice lattes to boot, she’s ready to bring about the cheers and wonders of fall.

If you’ve been on the internet over the past year, the phrase “Christian Girl Autumn” has probably been ringing in your ears for a while now. Derived from “Hot Girl Summer”, which was popularized by rapper Megan Thee Stallion, Christian Girl Autumn takes a different approach to the message of being unapologetically you. 

Twitter user @bimbofication started the trend around August 2019, after tweeting a picture of two women donning giant scarves and leather totes with the caption “Hot Girl Summer is coming to end, get ready for Christian Girl Autumn!” The tweet garnered attention from thousands of people, and Caitlin Covington was quickly made the poster face of the phenomenon. Her newfound fame, however, was far from positive. As they are notorious for, twitter users wasted no time in mocking the two women. From digs at their fashion sense, some calling it the “epitome of conservative conformity”, to assumptions about their personalities, family lives, and more.

But recently, netizens have decided they no longer want to mock these “Christian Girls” and are now constantly voicing their support for anything they do. What spurred the change of heart? Maybe realizing that these women mean no harm by their neutral colors and Chelsea boots? Or more realistically the discovery that supports the Black Lives Matter movement and isn’t a transphobe—aka a decent person. 

Whatever the reason, Christian Girl Autumn’s sudden rise to the top of the internet charts is a lesson to all. On being kind, being yourself, and not assuming someone’s political stance based on a plaid wrap sweater.