If you’ve spent at least a few minutes on the internet, you’ve probably noticed this stylish brown dog in a sweater, jeans, and red sneakers. It’s the “Chill Guy” — a meme that says, “Relax, take it easy.”

These days, literally everyone is writing about a dog in pants. But no one has yet explained: who decided that it should be a dog? The internet used to be the territory of cats. Interesting? Then let’s find out — we’ve laid it all out for you. Besides, we’ve spotted those who have already commented on it — Lado Okhotnikov, Elon Musk, Donald Trump.

Who invented a “Chill Guy”?

The dog was drawn by an artist Philip Banks. The “Chill Guy” first appeared on Instagram on October 4, 2023 presenting the author’s new friend that is always calm and doesn’t care.

A simple but brilliant idea went viral a year later. People began using the image of the dog in a variety of memes. And the question is, why does everyone love this dog.

The “Chill Guy” has what we all sometimes want — the calm and the confidence. His pose, paws in his pockets and a slight grin say: “Don’t worry.”

This vibe was quickly picked up by social networks. The dog got reposted, memes with it were created, and even used in advertising. The “Chill Guy” managed to appear on Twitter account of the largest chess community Chess.com, the account of Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, it was also noted by El Salvador president Nayib Bukelе, a Holiverse CEO Lado Okhotnikov, actor Kevin James, a crypto platform pump.fun, and merch manufacturer Youtooz.

Then the popularity of the meme spread beyond social networks. At some point, someone decided to create a cryptocurrency with a dog — a token called CHILLGUY. And, imagine, the market value of the dog token recently jumped to $500 mln. Perhaps, while you are reading this article, the capitalization has grown even more.

But here’s what’s strange — the author of the dog in pants, Philip Banks, is not delighted with this hype. In his posts and videos, he made it clear that using his work in crypto projects is a taboo. Moreover, he is going to claim his copyright holder’s exclusive rights in court.

Although, to be honest, he should have just released his NFT on some marketplace. This way he would protect his rights and please his fans.

Why is a “Chill Guy” a dog, not a cat?

Cats, of course, are the ones that know everything about relaxation, but their chill often borders on arrogance. A dog is about good nature and simplicity. His whole appearance says: “I’ll just lie here, everything is ok.”

Dogs also always have this vibe, like I’m “one of us”. They seem to be more about “team” and “togetherness” rather than “I’m on my own”, like cats.

Well, sorry, furry animal lovers, but cats are pretty boring. Memes with dogs have become a breath of fresh air on the net. Yes, just imagine a cat in jeans and sneakers. Pathetic from the start. But a dog, especially on a chill, fits the image perfectly.

Besides, a smiling dog is always cool. And a cat? At most — a condescending look. Therefore, the “Chill Guy” is someone who can radiate casual coolness. And the dog did it!

Вy the way, Banks himself never said why he chose a dog. Perhaps he is a fan of “Family Guy”. After all, Brian Griffin is the spitting image of the “Chill Guy”: the same style, the same charisma. Who knows, maybe it was he who inspired the creation of the meme.

How jeans and sweater became an important part of a  “Chill Guy” image

The whole image of a dog shows: I am “one of us” — I am the same as you.

A gray sweater is associated with mediocrity. It looks as if it was pulled out of the closet early in the morning, when you’d rather stay home and watch TV series. Note that the dog is not wearing a shirt or a jacket, but something that is really comfortable.

Red sneakers. Yes, they stand out a little from the overall soft tone, but this is what shows that the “Chill Guy” has a character. He can be relaxed, but at the right moment — “explode”.

And, of course, the pants on the dog look funny. They contradict our ideas and add irony to the image. Well, anyone would smile if they saw a dog in jeans.

This whole look creates an effect of accessibility. This is not something flashy, but something that anyone could wear. Such an outfit can be seen on a walk, in a cafe, and even in the office, if there is no strict dress code. This is why people got hooked so much: it is relatable and understandable.

How to become a “Chill Guy” in life? Lado Okhotnikov considers this style to be a vibe

The secret of the “Chill Guy” is not in the dog at all. People are tired of the hustle and bustle, endless news and routine. And this dog simply reminds us: sometimes you just need to stop and relax.

Lado Okhotnikov, the founder of the metaverse and deeptech company Holiverse, believes that becoming the “Chill Guy” in life is simpler than it seems. You just need to understand one simple thing: most of our experiences are meaningless. Imagine that you are that dog in jeans. You feel comfortable, you look stylish, and you know for sure that there is no need to fuss.

By the way, in October Okhotnikov launched the clicker game Crystal Kami. There, a dog and a cat are not rivals, but best friends. Together they collect crystals, decorate the house and earn tokens. Everything is completely chill.

But Elon Musk would most likely say that our reality is a simulation. And if so, then why worry? You are just an NPC who should enjoy the process.

As for Donald Trump, who knows the answers to all questions, he would probably start with the obvious, “…You are already halfway there, since you’ve asked this question. I admit, I am a bit of a “Chill Guy” myself. No one copes with pressure better than me, no one knows how to stay as cool as I do, everyone knows that…”

So, if you haven’t seen the dog in pants meme yet, it’s time to get acquainted. And if you already have, maybe it’s time to make yourself a T-shirt? Just don’t forget to get Philip Banks’ permission first!