Style

Is Being a Frugalista the New Diva?

by Geneva B | January 5, 2009 at 03:55 pm

799 views | 25 Recommendations | 8 comments

As a recent graduate with daunting student loans to pay back, I'm happy to see what was once only out of necessity for me is actually gaining status as fashionable: being a DIY diva.

What is a frugalista you ask? Let's expand on the subject of recession dressing.

...one entry on the Oxford shortlist rings my bell, with its rich etymology, current utility and potential staying power well beyond the nonce. It is frugalista, defined as “a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying secondhand, growing own produce, etc.” This could become the nom de guerre of the “recession warrior.”

It only makes sense that as people scale down their spending, their entire outlook and even personal style can be affected. All of a sudden dropping a mint on the latest Louis Vuitton does not seem as logical, but I would argue did it ever?

DIY style forces us to use our creativity and ingenuity, getting more use out of things and in turn creating less waste. Grandma's attic may house finds that have long been abandoned - why not be the first to bring them back? Sometimes all it takes is borrowing an old idea and giving it a new twist.

Natalie McNeal's The Frugalista Files should inspire any forward-thinking style hounds who want to save a dime and look good at the same time. And hey, if Vivienne Westwood is on this train then it's definitely heading in the right direction. Check out Jeremy Gutsche from TrendHunter's interview on CBC News Today for more on what's in for 2009.

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Jordan Yerman

at 15:57 on January 5th, 2009

This is how grunge started: the whole torn-jeans thing was done out of necessity, long before Diesel and Lucky took cheese-graters to their pockets.

In NYC, where the cost of living has pushed this whole cycle further forward than in other areas, vintaged/used clothing stores are just as pricey as their first-run cousins.

Geneva B

at 16:04 on January 5th, 2009

I agree, this is not exactly a "new" trend, but a cycle...

People have long been natural recylcers and reusers up until recently. It's all about being a little more careful with our resources.

Terri Potratz

at 16:49 on January 5th, 2009

Clothing swaps! My absolute favourite method of saving money, while still continually changing up my wardrobe. It's not just cheap; it's free.

Nicole Billard

at 17:04 on January 5th, 2009

We're super lucky here in Vancouver: Most of the ambiguously-busy-ladies-who-lunch in my neighbourhood send their clothing to consignment stores where lucky locals such as myself can scoop up hardly used or even BNWT items for 'nuttin. Now that the economy is tanking a little, they are purging more than ever. ;o)

Terri Potratz

at 17:13 on January 5th, 2009

I've heard about some consignment stores in Kerrisdale that are rife with good scores, most for under $10. Will have to head out that way; I had assumed that in a higher-end neighbourhood like that, the consignment stores would be grossly overpriced, as they are on S. Granville.

Mary Hall (not verified)

at 20:58 on January 5th, 2009

I like your post, and the Frugalista Files. People are definitely cutting back & putting the spending on the downlow :) However, I do believe its possible to still enjoy some of life's luxuries with a little careful planning.

To learn more, check out The Recessionista Blog. "Recessionista" may be another buzzword ala Frugalista, but the tips offered are helpful to those trying to plan their spending while staying fashionable.

aelusive

at 22:44 on January 5th, 2009

Hey now. That was pretty cool.

The Frugalista Files (not verified)

at 04:23 on January 6th, 2009

Geneva: So you know you have a great blog with great readers. Thank you so much for the introduction and kind words! I remember grunge (Ok, I reveled in it). Grunge kind of had its own soundtrack with the Seattle music scene. This time around, with the all of the "dress for less" mottos and artists like Beyonce, who runs in stilettos, people are masking the economic conditions better.