Parenting

17 "Cheugy" Things We're Still Buying, Even If It Makes Us Uncool

by Gina Vaynshteyn
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
what is cheugy
Gina Vaynshteyn

Basic is dead. Long live basic, and welcome the Gen Z-coined term “cheugy,” pronounced “choo-gee.” One of my work colleagues pointed out the phenom the other day, and at first I rolled my eyes. “Another Tick Tock thing,” I wrote back in Slack, later realizing my response was SO cheugy. You know who says “Tick Tock”? Cheugies. (At least, this is what my other colleague, Maia, said.)

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According to The Cut, “cheugy” was invented back in 2013 by a then-high schooler who is now a 23-year-old software developer, but it recently gained traction when 24-year-old Hallie Cain illustrated the definition of “cheugy” on a TikTok she posted March 30. “OK TikTok, I have a new word for you that my friends and I use that you clearly are all in need of,” she says, before launching in a very important lesson on 2021 culture.

So what *is* Cheugy?

Countless outlets (including this one, hi) have been trying to dissect the style of being cheugy, but the truth is that it’s more nuanced than “basic” and maybe slightly kinder. While “basic” skews more toward women, making it misogynistic, cheugy applies to all humankind. Similar to “basic,” cheugy is all things passe, an exhausted idea or trend, or something expected.

Sade Akenzua, Content Manager at Tastemade and the most fashionable person I know, tells Scary Mommy, “Coming from someone who has recently come across the term on TikTok, cheugy is used to describe things that are out of style or not on trend anymore. With that said, I actually think it’s pretty spot on and quite hilarious. Though I don’t really pay attention to what’s in and out of style when it comes to my personal taste, I do think everyone falls under the cheugy category in one way or another.”

Immediately after doing my cheugy research while eating Flaming Hot Cheetos for dinner (big cheug energy?), I wondered…Am I cheugy? I thought back to recent memories, like the war dog meme. Back in the fall, I shared a photo of my dog wearing a “Mama’s Lil’ Pumpkin” bandana. Very cheug, isn’t it? (Me, not my dog.)

I posted a selfie in front of my Christmas tree; I have my hair in a messy bun and I’m wearing a cable knit sweater. Cheug fucking city.

Once I even shared a photo of my matcha latte. I’M A CHEUGY MONSTER, I realized, and threw my phone across the bed.

In case you’re still not sure if you’re “cheugy,” here’s how I’ve come to define the word after hours of obsessively reading cheugy articles, texting my friends, and getting more examples from my brilliant colleagues over Slack.

My ex-high school best friend who shares her idyllic yoga poses in Sedona on Instagram = Cheugy

Loving cheese or coffee or books as a personality trait = Cheugy

Bath & Body Works candles = Cheugy

Looking forward to Target trips more than sex = Cheugy

Saying “AF” instead of “as fuck” = Cheugy

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert = Cheugy

Anyone who lives in San Diego* = Cheugy

Alexis Rose = Cheugy

A colorful French manicure = Cheugy

A dude’s Adidas sandals = Cheugy

Getting a blowout from Drybar = Cheugy

Using hashtags like #hustle and #youbetterworkbitch = Cheugy

A Boomerang of you cutting into your poached egg = Cheugy

A photo of only your hand holding an ice cream cone = Cheugy

Mimosas = Cheugy

A photo of your engagement ring with the caption “ms. to mrs.” = Cheugy

A T-shirt that has “girlfriend” crossed out with “fiancee” written above it = Cheugy

Men’s salmon shorts from J. Crew = Cheugy

Chris Pratt = Cheugy

Believing Carrie should have ended up with Aidan = Cheugy

Believing Carrie should have ended up with Big = Cheugy

The Bachelor = Cheugy

Naming your baby or dog Khaleesi = Cheugy

Frozen yogurt = Cheugy

A bumper sticker of your alma mater = Cheugy

“Fam bam,” “Sunday Funday,” “Rose all day” = Cheugy

Using ellipses often = Cheugy

Mark Zuckerberg = Cheugy

*I admit, this one’s personal.

This is not to say cheugy is a bad thing. I think we’re all a little cheugy, and that’s okay. And if you’re willing to embrace the Cheugy Life, I’ve also compiled a list of cheugy product recommendations. All of which I would totally buy. Because I’m cheugy and I’m proud.

Best Cheugy Products (That I’d Actually Buy)

Silver Buffalo DC Comics Wonder Woman Mug
$14.83
The Cheesecake Factory Gift Card
$50
Kate Spade Essential Large Work Tote

Kate Spade was my first designer bag. In college, I tutored freshman composition and worked at a coffee shop for about eight months until I was able to scrounge up enough for a bag from the outlet mall. And I fucking LOVED this bag. It was similar to this — I made sure it said “Kate Spade” and had the shiny spade for everyone to see. Because what’s the point in owning a designer bag without everyone knowing you spent your entire savings on it? This seems like a cheugy thing to do and own, so that’s all I’ve got. This bag is really lovely and room-y, and it’s on my birthday list, so.

$378
The Comfy Original Wearable Blanket
$50
Jessica Simpson Women's Comfy Faux Fur House Slippers
$26.37
Imazing Bath Bomb Gift Set
$23.99
Quince Flowknit Ultra-Soft Performance Legging

Are leggings cheugy? They seem more essential, than anything. But they just seem like something a cheugy person may have in their closet, including myself. These Quince leggings have been described as the budget-friendly Lululemon knockoffs, and they’re incredibly comfortable and durable. Whatever, I’m just leaving these in here because I’m going to buy them later.

$35
Herbal Essences, Repairing Argan Oil Of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner Set
$11.99
Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum

This perfume. Is. A lot. I can’t say it’s my favorite, but it’s iconic (and still popular!) for a reason.

$79
Quiseen Set of 9 Grey Beverage Chilling Stones
$8
Victoria's Secret Bombshell Shine Strap Thong Panty

Honestly, props to anyone who has enough energy to put on a thong these days. Thongs are cheugy-adjacent, but I’d say they’re solidly cheugy if they say “VICTORIA’S SERET” on them.

$25
Silver Buffalo Star Wars The Mandalorian The Child Mug
$11.49
Old Navy EveryWear Graphic Short-Sleeve Tee

T-shirts that say things like “Good Vibes” or “Beach Days Every Day” are cheugy material. But there’s something about them that makes us so damn happy.

$10
TRUFF Hot Sauce
$17.98
RENWER Essential Oil Diffuser
$23.49
Sage & Citrus Yankee Candle
$18.48
Steve Madden 'Harpoon' Derby Shoes

For awhile, all classy dudes wore a version of this shoe. And some still do. And that’s perfectly fine. But it’s cheugy AF. I mean, as fuck.

$80

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The Comfy Original Wearable Blanket
$50
Jessica Simpson Women's Comfy Faux Fur House Slippers

Something inside me tells me Jessica Simpson would approve of her line of shoes being “cheugy.” Because, let’s be real, they are. Jessica Simpson often sells dupes of expensive products, like UGG, and you know what? JS knows how to make a high-quality version of the real thing. These slippers have lasted me for years, and their memory foam make them super comfy, and they’re also non-slip.

$26.37
Imazing Bath Bomb Gift Set

Cheugy folks end their day by dropping a bath bomb in their hot bath, tea lights aglow. The Art & Zen of Cheugy.

$23.99
Silver Buffalo DC Comics Wonder Woman Mug

Before there was #girlboss bullshit plaguing our already difficult enough lives, there was the real deal: Wonder Woman. I’m OK with identifying with this superhero, because (her later version) was simultaneously badass and empathetic — something we all could use more of.

$14.83
Silver Buffalo Star Wars The Mandalorian The Child Mug

I am SO sorry to do this to you, but Baby Yoda is totes cheugs.

$11.49
Quince Flowknit Ultra-Soft Performance Legging

Are leggings cheugy? They seem more essential, than anything. But they just seem like something a cheugy person may have in their closet, including myself. These Quince leggings have been described as the budget-friendly Lululemon knockoffs, and they’re incredibly comfortable and durable. Whatever, I’m just leaving these in here because I’m going to buy them later.

$35
Herbal Essences, Repairing Argan Oil Of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Hallie says Herbal Essences is cheugy, and while I don’t completely understand, I’m still going to include this shampoo and conditioner set. Because, for the price, it’s actually a pretty decent shampoo. The ingredients are way cleaner than they used to be in the ’90s, and they smell really good.

$11.99
Kate Spade Essential Large Work Tote

Kate Spade was my first designer bag. In college, I tutored freshman composition and worked at a coffee shop for about eight months until I was able to scrounge up enough for a bag from the outlet mall. And I fucking LOVED this bag. It was similar to this — I made sure it said “Kate Spade” and had the shiny spade for everyone to see. Because what’s the point in owning a designer bag without everyone knowing you spent your entire savings on it? This seems like a cheugy thing to do and own, so that’s all I’ve got. This bag is really lovely and room-y, and it’s on my birthday list, so.

$378
The Cheesecake Factory Gift Card

If cheugy was a restaurant, it’d be Cheesecake Factory. (If I was on death row and had to pick a last meal, it would be the Chicken Bellagio, hands down.)

$50
Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum

This perfume. Is. A lot. I can’t say it’s my favorite, but it’s iconic (and still popular!) for a reason.

$79
Victoria's Secret Bombshell Shine Strap Thong Panty

Honestly, props to anyone who has enough energy to put on a thong these days. Thongs are cheugy-adjacent, but I’d say they’re solidly cheugy if they say “VICTORIA’S SERET” on them.

$25
Old Navy EveryWear Graphic Short-Sleeve Tee

T-shirts that say things like “Good Vibes” or “Beach Days Every Day” are cheugy material. But there’s something about them that makes us so damn happy.

$10

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