It happened in the car.
Hey, I’m Mae creator of TheySeeApparel and professional observer of all things culturally awkward, funny, and very, very Desi.
Let me tell you how the Filling Real Good came to life. Spoiler: it started at a family event and ended with me choking on a samosa in the car.
I had just left a typical Desi event you know the kind. Loud music, excellent food, and about six different aunties who had thoughts on my outfit, my life choices, and whether I looked “healthier” (we all know what that means).
So I’m finally out of there, sitting in my car with the AC on full blast and a samosa in hand. It’s still warm. Flaky. Slightly overstuffed. Kind of like me, emotionally.
I took a bite, exhaled for the first time in hours, and tried to say, “Feeling real good now.” But my mouth was full and what came out was:
“I’m filling real good.”
I actually choked on my bite and my own laughter. Because somehow, that version was even better. It wasn’t just true.
It was funny, stupidly accurate, and kind of a whole mood.
So I made it a shirt.
It was one of the first ideas I ever sketched out for They See Apparel. Not because I thought it would go viral or win awards, but because it felt honest. Like a quiet protest against all the cultural noise telling us how we should dress, eat, and exist. It’s a love letter to snacks.
To sarcasm.
To saying, “I’m fine, thanks,” with a little potato peeking out of your soul.
I knew I couldn’t be the only Desi on the planet who felt this way. When it came to designing the shirt, I chose mint green as the base color because it complimented the warm, golden tones of the samosa—like chutney and snack harmony.
But the design still felt like it needed something extra. So I thought, why not make the samosa cute-cute? Like, kawaii level cute. I'm a total sucker for all things adorable with tiny faces, so I turned that regular samosa into a kawaii snack with big energy. Because if we’re gonna be bold, we might as well be adorable about it.
The Filling Real Good shirt isn’t just a food pun (though… obviously, it is). It’s about being full—in your joy, your body, your space and not apologizing for it. It’s for anyone who’s ever been side-eyed for eating too much, feeling too much, or taking up more space than someone else was comfortable with.
I don’t know if this shirt will be your favorite. But I hope, at the very least, it makes you laugh the way I did that day in my car—with crumbs on my shirt and zero regrets.
Shop the Filling Real Good shirt and wear your cravings proudly.