9 Cheugy Fashion Trends You've Probably Tried

If you've been on TikTok recently, you may have heard the term "cheugy" thrown around. The concept was first introduced by user Hallie Cain in a now-deleted video where she responds to a woman looking for a word to describe “the type of people who get married at 20 years old” or have “girlboss energy." Her answer: cheugy.

While it's hard to pin a precise definition on the term, consider it a descriptor for those who would be referred to as "basic," but with an added sense of self-awareness. The Instagram account Cheug Life defines a "cheug" (noun) as a "person who currently follows out of date trends usually stemming from things that were popular in middle school & high school." These are the people who unironically hang "Live, Laugh, Love" signs around their homes or caption photos with cheesy phrases that borderline on cringe. It's a half-step over from the sorority/fraternity aesthetic and hinges on confidence.

For many, it seems cheuginess lay in the intersection between basic and comfortable by embracing things from your youth for a sense of security. Nonetheless, there's a clear picture of what makes up a cheug, including several trends that we've all fallen victim to at some point. Determine your cheug level by checking out these undeniably cheugy trends.

TikTok and Gen Z have already declared skinny jeans as a thing of the past, so if you're still wearing them, consider yourself a cheug.

The Gucci logo belts were a coveted accessory of the 2010s. In fact, it was hard to find a celebrity or fashion fanatic who didn't own one. However, their connection to the aforementioned "girlboss energy" puts this ubiquitous belt directly in the cheug zone.

This one requires less of an explanation and more of an "ah-ha!" For a while now, Golden Goose sneakers have been the butt of a well-intended joke within fashion circles as the expensive footwear that everyone wants but no one knows why. Well, here it is: they're cheugy.

Ugg boots were your footwear of choice in middle school. You may have even worn them throughout high school and into college. And while Ugg has no shortage of trendy styles to fit today's tastes, these are not it.

The visual is, quite simply, explanation enough.

If you're still walking around with quotes like "Namaste in Bed" on your shirt, park your section firmly in the cheugy section.

While it's not a fashion trend, the Viva La Juicy perfume was one of the most popular scents throughout the 2010s. From its elevated floral scent to its vibrant magenta packaging, the fragrance is reminiscent of 8th-grade crushes and french braiding your friends' hair in homeroom.

This one is definitely up for debate, but some ultra-trendy Gen Zers are filing denim jackets under the cheugy label. While there's something to be said for a timeless piece, the comfort of a jean jacket does strike a chord with the essence of a cheug.

Everyone owned Tory Burch sandals in the 2010s. It's hard to remember a summer vacation where you couldn't find a pair sitting next to someone's poolside lounge chair, and that's exactly what make's them cheugy.