Define: Recessionista
n. (2008)
a woman who knows how to remain fashionable and stylish in all seasons, in all markets and on a tight, tight - tighter than your thin jeans in January - budget
You probably know what a fashionista is - she's your well-dressed, well-groomed friend who is always seen in the latest, before you even knew it was the latest. And right about now, she's probably singing the blues, big time. Because now is not the time for trends; the market has fluctuated so much lately, the hemline theory doesn't apply (that's still no excuse for wearing handkerchief hems).
Well the recessionista is the women who knows how to stay fashionable and develop her own style, on a thin dime. And right now, all dimes are thin. The consumer price index has risen at least a percentage point every month since January 2000, that's 96 straight months of increases, making what you get for a dime in December 2008 a lot less than what it was in January 2000. In the spring of 2008, Larry Kudlow, the self-proclaimed originator of the term Recessionista, originally used the word to represent those people who were ostriching about the fact that the US economy was spiraling downward toward the R Word. Fast forward to December, and it's official, we're in a recession. The word has since its first use, morphed to be more akin to a fashionista than a sandinista, taking on the much more positive definition of the uber-savvy shopper.
Below is a list of resources to keep us recessionistas as fly as possible, even in the toughest times. We'll be adding to them as we find more.
First, there's the smart woman who started therecessionista.blogspot.com, but it doesn't stop there. . .
Leantimes and Headlines - The Guardian
A Label for A Pleather Economy - The New York Times
50 Ways To Be A Recessionista - The Times Of London
5 Ways To Be Cheaply Chic - The Recessionista speaks to the Huff Post
And now, one shopping tip from the "Holiday Shopping on a Budget" article, being posted Monday, December 8. Retailers are in the middle of a horrible holiday season, and sales are low. Be sure to make the most of this - for instance, J Crew has been extending that 15 percent off for college students to anyone in the store with a valid college or university card. Most colleges and universities extend ID cards for alumni. Why not flash yours? (PS - Fellows and graduate students are eligible, too.)