5 Ways to Embrace the Frugal Chic Lifestyle Using Inter Shop
For a long time, frugality and chic were treated as opposites. Frugal suggested limitation, sacrifice, restraint. Chic, on the other hand, was often associated with excess, indulgence and visible consumption. Today, that divide feels increasingly outdated.
A growing cultural shift is redefining both concepts, proving that intention and elegance can coexist. Frugal chic is not about spending less for the sake of saving. It is about spending with discernment, choosing quality over quantity, and understanding that true luxury is rarely about price tags. It is about how money is used, not how loudly it is displayed.
As people rethink consumption, prioritize long-term well-being and search for smarter ways to invest their resources, frugal chic has emerged not as a trend, but as a mindset. And to fully understand it, we need to start at the root of the idea itself. Frugal.
Frugal, before it became chic
Being frugal simply means being intentional with money. It is the ability to recognize what genuinely adds value to your life and, just as importantly, to let go of what does not. Frugality is not about saying no to everything. It is about saying yes with clarity.
At its core, a frugal mindset is built on awareness. Knowing where your money goes, why it goes there and what it supports in return creates a sense of control that feels empowering rather than restrictive. That same mindset has quietly shaped movements like underconsumption core and quiet luxury, both of which prioritize longevity, restraint and meaning over constant acquisition.
Frugal chic lives precisely at this intersection. It takes financial discernment and pairs it with personal taste, proving that intentional spending can feel polished, modern and deeply personal.
What is frugal chic?
Frugal chic is not a dress code, a shopping list or a fixed aesthetic. It is a way of thinking about luxury.
Popularized by creator Mia McGrath, the concept reframes luxury as something internal and sustainable. As she explains, “At its centre, financial discernment and personal taste are prioritised.” The focus shifts away from accumulation and toward choice. Away from performance and toward purpose.
Frugal chic is often confused with minimalism, but that interpretation misses the point. As Mia herself clarifies, “Frugal chic can be applied to so many different incomes. You don’t need to be minimalist to be frugal chic.” It is not about owning less for the sake of appearances. It is about owning better, planning smarter and aligning spending with long-term freedom.
This philosophy resonates strongly with a generation that values autonomy over excess. As Vogue Business editor Amy Francombe notes, “An outfit is instantly cooler if you paid less than you were supposed to for it.” The appeal lies not in the item itself, but in the intelligence behind the choice.
Frugal chic is a way of thinking about luxury
At its core, frugal chic reflects a broader cultural shift. People are no longer focused on looking wealthy. They are focused on building wealth.
Mia captures this idea clearly when she says, “My whole ethos is I want to build wealth in my 20s, and one of the ways I like to do that is to save money.” This mindset reframes success. Luxury is no longer measured by excess, but by freedom, stability and the ability to choose.
That is why frugal chic is not about cutting joy or eliminating pleasure. Deprivation isn’t chic. Knowing when to indulge, and doing so intentionally, is just as important as knowing when to pause. The philosophy rests on a simple but powerful idea. Buy it nice or buy it twice.
Quality lasts. Thoughtful choices compound over time. Small, consistent habits shape a lifestyle that feels calm, confident and quietly luxurious.
Five ways to live the frugal chic lifestyle
Frugal chic is not defined by rigid rules, but by patterns of behavior. Below are five ways this mindset shows up in everyday life, blending intention, balance and autonomy.
1. Invest in what you use every single day
Frugal chic prioritizes daily habits over occasional splurges. Movement, sleep and routine carry more weight than status purchases because they shape how life feels on a daily basis.
Choosing functional, well-made essentials that support an active life reflects this mindset. Clothing that lasts, moves with you and does not need constant replacement signals discernment rather than excess. This is where brands like Adidas fit naturally into a frugal chic lifestyle, not as trend pieces, but as reliable essentials that support consistency and longevity.
2. Own fewer products, but choose them well
In beauty, frugal chic is less about minimalism and more about repetition. It is about sticking to products that work instead of constantly chasing novelty.
As Mia points out, wearing less makeup often saves money, time and mental energy while still allowing you to feel polished and put together. Consistency becomes a form of luxury. A curated routine reflects control, confidence and clarity. Choosing trusted essentials from places like Sephora reinforces the idea that frugal chic is about editing your choices, not eliminating care or pleasure.
3. Build a wardrobe that outlives trends
Frugal chic wardrobes are built slowly, with intention. They are not reactive to microtrends or seasonal noise. They are considered.
Timeless silhouettes, durable fabrics and versatile pieces replace impulse buys. This is where the principle buy it nice or buy it twice truly comes to life. Department stores known for quality and longevity, like Bloomingdale’s, align naturally with this philosophy when purchases are planned, purposeful and meant to last. Fewer items, chosen well, worn often.
4. Embrace repetition in clothes and habits
Repeating outfits, routines and choices is not boring. It is freeing.
Frugal chic embraces repetition as a way to reduce decision fatigue and unnecessary spending. Having trusted pieces you return to creates a sense of ease and personal identity. This logic extends to comfort and personal care as well. Investing in quality essentials that support daily well-being, including intimate basics from Victoria’s Secret, reflects a quiet form of luxury that is felt rather than displayed.
5. Treat planning as a form of luxury
Planning is one of the most underrated frugal chic habits. Knowing what you will need and when allows spending to feel calm rather than reactive.
Whether it is restocking beauty essentials or managing everyday purchases, planning creates clarity and control. Retailers like Ulta Beauty fit naturally into this mindset when shopping is intentional and repeatable. The focus is not on buying more. It is on buying with purpose, consistency and awareness.
You may already be living frugally chic
Frugal chic is ultimately about making choices that respect both who you are today and who you want to become. It is a lifestyle built on awareness, balance and long-term thinking, where caring for yourself and caring for your money go hand in hand.
In this context, Inter naturally becomes a partner for those who value intentional living, offering tools that support smarter decisions without noise or pressure. When managing your finances feels simple and transparent, it becomes easier to focus on what truly adds value to your life. If this mindset resonates with you, exploring Inter Shop in the app can be a seamless next step toward aligning everyday purchases with a more conscious, frugal chic way of living.
