#Cheugy has over half a million views on TikTok. But what does it mean? The up and coming phrase describes your hometown frenemy, extended family members or maybe even you, depending on what you’re into. According to Urban Dictionary, Cheugy is the “opposite of trendy.” It describes a style that was “popular in middle school or high school,” but is no longer cool. The phrase can be applied to “fashion, habits on social media, usage of slang” and beyond.
Hal on TikTok takes it a step further, explaining that cheugy points to the “millennial, girl boss energy” many can’t seem to put into words. Cheugy is just old enough to be outdated; it’s not vintage or nostalgic. Cheugy also isn’t interesting enough to be tacky outright. It’s not inherently ugly; it’s basic in a way that is void of personality or individualistic style.
The cheugy demographic is predominantly white, with eyes again on the middle-class looking for influence from those who are wealthy. Cheugy aesthetics and habits are frequently displayed in sororities, fraternities and social media influencer marketing, where men and women, while beautiful, blend in to a point of sameness in their appearance and actions. Cheuginess is overall less about specific products or apparel one buys and more to do with someone’s personal flair and their touch with relevant trends and culture.
Hal directed users the @cheuglife Instagram account, which seems to be the definitive source for all things cheugy at the moment, as well as “famous cheugs,” reaffirming that so-called trendsetters aren’t as cutting edge as they would like to believe.
For example, here’s a recent post:
Overly branded designer stuff is cheugy. It started with those crazy tight long sleeves that read “Abercrombie” across the chest and now you’ve graduated to Gucci belts and Chanel bags. Tread lightly my friends. Expensive does not equal chic.
It should make everyone feel better to know that it’s normal to be a little cheugy. If you’re a little behind on trends, it’s no big deal. Not everything is about being on trend. Women in particular get a lot of unwarranted hate for being basic or liking stereotypically feminine things. Rather than perpetuate that sexism, cheugy helps define a style that is inclusive of all genders, and extends to phrases, trends and entertainment. It’s all in good fun.
It’s important to know that Cheugy may also appear different regionally. Depending on where you live, how old you are and who is in your social circle, your view of cheugy will be what you decide. In short, you know cheugy when you see it.
That’s so cheugy.
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