Frugalista

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A stylish individual who adeptly combines a budget-conscious approach with a passion for fashion and elegance
2. Someone who expertly navigates the world of trends while prioritizing savings and smart spending
3. A person who skillfully balances a love for stylish clothing with frugality by making cost-effective fashion choices

Etymology: "Frugalista" is built from "frugal," which came into English from Latin "frugalis" (meaning "useful, virtuous, thrifty," from "frux," "fruit" or "profit"), with the suffix "-ista" attached. That suffix comes from Italian, where it marks a person who follows or practices something, and English borrowed it in the twentieth century through words like "fashionista," the playful term for a devoted follower of fashion. The new word follows that pattern closely. Someone who was a "fashionista" pursued style, so a "frugalista" is someone who pursues thrift in the same enthusiastic way, but the twist is that the person still wants to look good. The meaning is therefore a deliberate pairing of two ideas that once seemed to pull against each other: thrift and glamour.