YAE

Cheugy is a chronically online way of calling something outdated or out of style. Literally its not even a dictionary word yet. I am getting the red squiggly line typing it right now.

Cheugy can technically be traced all the way back to 2013 but like many things nowadays, it became popular through a Tik Tok video explaining it as a new slang term to use. I give people a pass on calling anything cheugy unless it is a fashion item. There is a certain level of privileges that comes with worrying about trends being in or out. Keeping up with microtrends affords the consumer a sense of variety to their style that makes them viewed as fashionable. In the real world, the average adult shopper keeps their items and wears them until they don’t fit or fall apart.

This cheugy trend is bad for people who are still finding their personal style. It was disheartening to see videos including items that are flattering for so many different body shapes or versatile for every occasion. Skinny jeans and block heel sandals are some women’s most beloved choices and ignoring those feels like starting from scratch, which is discouraging. For women who are lucky enough to fit the beauty standard and seemingly bottomless budget (looking at you $900 Shein haul), all they have to do is just go bulk shopping when new trends arise. If they are young and naïve and also trying to find their personal style, they’ll be doing this twice per season, which is like 8 times a year. The influencers they follow are always doing massive hauls so why shouldn’t they?

The fashion industry already has a hard time keeping up with their assumed target market and the changes in consumer behavior that come along with it. So when one side of the internet is shaming overconsumption and unethical factory workers’ wages and the other side is saying that a new item, that debuted 6 weeks ago, is not out of style, companies will just go in the direction of where the revenue is at. Unfortunately, sometimes, the direction that’s more profitable is rarely the ethical and environmentally friendly option. While Gen z is known for valuing uniqueness, they don’t wanna be uniquely old-news.

The best way to escape cheugy is to find and seek timeless styles. Let’s be honest: Anyone born between 2010 and 2025 are going to eat 2010s fashion up because by definition when generation alpha hits their teens, our “cheugy” will be their “vintage.” Your lack of participation in shopping sprees doesn’t make you unfashionable. The best street style outfits are a curated mixture of trends, lifestyles, and interests that fit the desired color palette and, most importantly, fit you.

Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtl78sE212s&list=WL&index=1 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2021/01/07/on-youtube-tiktok-and-ben--jerrys-five-undeniable-truths-about-marketing-to-gen-z/sh=11a9421cb972