The aesthetic built on a flawless appearance and constant renewal is being replaced by a more relaxed and conscious approach to beauty and consumption—frugal chic. This trend encourages learning how to stay attractive without unnecessary purchases and fuss. Let’s figure out how to become a frugal chic girl.
What is frugal chic?
Frugal chic is an aesthetic and lifestyle that emerged as a response to fatigue from overconsumption , fast trends, and the constant feeling that you need to try a little harder to finally feel happy and attractive.
In the mid-2020s, the desire for constant acquisition reached its peak (not without the influence of social media, of course): fashions for clothes, looks, and beauty products change so quickly that people physically don’t have time to use them, yet they continue to buy them—due to a desire to be on trend, habit, boredom, or anxiety .
Frugal chic offers a more sober and mature way of interacting with money and things, and the main principle of this philosophy is: “Less is more.”
The term itself was coined by English blogger and former model Mia Rose McGrath. From the very beginning, she emphasized the connection between these two words: thriftiness isn’t opposed to chic; on the contrary, it becomes its foundation.
Mia Rose McGrath, caption: “5 things I don’t spend money on”
A person who embraces the frugal chic aesthetic looks expensive and well-groomed, but they achieve this not through the quantity of purchases or endlessly following microtrends, but through the ability to choose, wait, and calmly let go of unnecessary items without feeling lost. Purchases are made less frequently, but each one is justified by quality, durability, and actual use.
This philosophy applies not only to clothing but to lifestyle in general: from cosmetics and perfume to home items and everyday habits. Incidentally, don’t be confused: frugal chic doesn’t advocate minimalism per se, but rather a clear understanding of what you truly need and what simply takes up space and attention.
This is probably why aesthetics has taken hold so quickly on social media: it relieves tension and resolves the internal conflict between the desire to live beautifully and the fear of overspending resources—financial, emotional, and time-consuming.
How to Become a Frugal Chic Girl: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, how can one become involved in this new phenomenon?
The first step is to reconsider your attitude towards shopping.
And recognize that impulsive consumption is rarely connected to real needs. The frugal chic aesthetic discourages buying out of boredom, “just in case,” or for future use: before any unobvious purchase, it’s recommended to take a few days off to determine whether the desire remains or fades along with the momentary emotion. The pleasure of shopping remains, but it adds a sense of purpose and awareness to the process.
The second step is to tidy up your wardrobe.
The Frugal chic girl emphasizes a capsule wardrobe with a calm, basic palette, where pieces are easy to mix and match and stay relevant season after season. This isn’t about completely abandoning fashion, but rather choosing silhouettes, fabrics, and colors that will last for years. Mass-market, luxury, and vintage are all acceptable—the key is that each item is purchased consciously and worn regularly.
Step three is to introduce new rules for your beauty routine.
The frugal chic lifestyle emphasizes keeping only those products that are actually used and avoiding hoarding jars for later. Basic skin and hair care, minimal makeup—foundation, blush, mascara, lip gloss—and renewing products only when the previous ones are used up.
At the same time, it’s not customary to skimp on quality: it’s better to have fewer products, but with a clear composition and predictable effect. The same applies to perfume—one scent that suits you and becomes part of your look, not a collection of dozens of bottles.
The fourth step is to pay attention to everyday details and care of things
A frugal chic girl looks neat and attractive not through complicated procedures, but through regular and simple grooming. A bare or homemade manicure, basic beauty care, neat clothes, and clean shoes create a sense of poise and order, which translates to an expensive look.
The fifth step is to extend this philosophy to the space around you.
Functionality, reliability, and simplicity are valued in the home: reusable and glass containers instead of single-use plastic, multi-functional appliances, furniture, and dishes that don’t need to be replaced every six months.
The interior remains minimalist but not empty, with thoughtful details like candles and textiles that create a sense of coziness without visual noise.
Overall, frugal chic isn’t so much a set of outward attributes as it is a skill for living without unnecessary stress around money and possessions. This aesthetic requires discipline and the initial ability to choose quality items, which is why it’s often associated with high income, and precisely because of this, it generates so much interest: behind the outward simplicity lies the ability to independently manage one’s life, rather than reacting to every new urge to buy something.
