Five “cheugy” fashion trends we can’t help but love

If you’ve been on TikTok in the past year (or Twitter in the past few months), you may have noticed a generational war being waged between millennials and Gen Z. All in good fun of course, aside from a few users who take their passion for side parts a bit too seriously. Amidst the mockery, a new term emerged in early March: Cheugy. In simple terms, cheugy just means “not trendy anymore”. In practice, it is mostly used in relation to trends that were popular among millennials. Think cursive scripts, prints that read “Rosé All Day”, being a Disney adult.

And though the term itself might be a little cringy, it’s also kind of fun looking back on things we once thought were the epitome of cool. Really, every generation has its sins (looking at you, low-rise jeans), but there are some trends that we would still go to bat for.

Skinny jeans
The most obvious entry on this list, but one that absolutely couldn’t be missed off – if you know one thing about the word cheugy you know that skinny jeans are it. It’s all about straight leg jeans now, the baggier the better. And though we may have cursed them at times, specifically when they were fresh out of the wash, there’s no denying they are a fantastic basic that can be worn any which way.

Ugg boots
A massive hype, they were a controversial trend from the start. You either hated them or you loved them. True, they are not the most flattering or stylish footwear imaginable, but they are comfy. Plus, wearing a sweater on a skater skirt, a pair of black tights and some Ugg minis on an autumn morning? I’m sorry, that’s not just a look, that is a certified mood.

Adidas Superstar trainers

Every fashion cycle needs a good sneaker, and in the mid-tens that sneaker was the Adidas Superstar. These classic kicks were a staple of our wardrobes. They paired nicely with black jeans (skinny, of course) and a statement T-shirt for a casual look, or with a midi skirt for a slightly more dressed-up look. They are comfy, they are cool and they are super easy to combine. What is not to love?

Skater skirts
If you used Tumblr for fashion inspo in the mid-noughties, chances are you owned a high waisted skater skirt (preferably in several different colours). They paired perfectly with brogues, thin waist belts and a pumpkin spiced latte. The silhouette remains popular in the form of pleated white tennis skirts or in plaid print, as part of the Y2K and e-girl aesthetics. But the simple solid colour version, to be paired with sweaters and infinity scarves, is less in vogue. Nevertheless, skater skirts remain ultra feminine, incredibly flattering, and an excellent basic to have in your wardrobe.

Millennial pink
It all started when Pantone revealed their colours of the year 2016: Serenity and Rose Quartz. Stating that, “as consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent.” So an extremely relevant sentiment in 2016, basically. Soon, the pastel pink hue was everywhere. From notebooks to walls and sofas to denim jackets. It started being referred to as “millennial pink” and became linked to the kind of “girl boss” feminism that defined the decade. Though that aspect of it is probably best left in the past, the shade remains aesthetically pleasing and fits in well with the natural, earthy tones we are seeing today.

Sally Wijers