Girlhood, a bad economy, and urge to stay hot
Girlhood, a bad economy, and urge to stay hot
I spent the majority of March 2025 shopping. Books, clothes, makeup, accessories—everything in between. Legend says I’m still hunting for the next cute shirt and matching pants. But girl, to be a girl in this economy is almost murderous.
So what the hell is even happening?
How do brands justify that the cute top you like—handcrafted with love (and probably child labour) in Vietnam—costs INR 2,000? Why is life, existence, and the pursuit of aesthetic bliss suddenly so expensive?
Is it Trump’s tariffs? Then fine, dude, I’ll swim across the ocean like a colonizing 18th-century man riddled with disease to fetch my clothes. But wait—those tariffs don’t even apply to our beloved desi land. Are we in a recession? Twitter’s been whispering “recession” since the pandemic ended, but officially, we’re in projection limbo.
Too many rhetorical questions. Too little time.
Anyway. Why should I pay Zomato INR 300+ for 10 steamed momos? Or H&M INR 3,000 for a plain white shirt? I’m not questioning these prices—I’m just mad that they exist. Like… how dare you?
My mother says my sudden financial consciousness stems from the fact that I’ve started earning my own money—and I can finally spend it on whatever I need. Which, in my defence, is not nearly enough.
(Silly, young, greedy me.)
I recently bought shoes—expensive ones. When I saw “XYZ amount debited” on my bank statement, my heart physically sank. Even though it was a perfectly logical, coordinated purchase. Does life take everyone on a guilt trip when they buy things for themselves? Or is it just the broke girls with expensive taste?
Because look—we want to look hot, wear hot, dress hot. But how do we afford this lifestyle when we’re just starting out?
Here’s what I’ve tried, attempted, and am still figuring out:
1. Need vs. Want (the original budgeting gospel)
My parents taught me this as a kid—and honestly, it’s the best financial advice I’ve ever received. It helps me prioritise purchases. Some things are just so tempting—Miniso soft toys, cute diaries, tiny earrings that whisper “just one more.” But you have to ask: Is this a need or just a want? You don’t want to spiral into post-purchase guilt, or worse—end up broke by the 20th.
2. Girl Math the f*ck out of your month
I swear by monthly planning. With limited funds, you have to be strategic. Budget for big-picture joys—not just the serotonin from impulse buys. Girl math isn't just memes; it’s financial survival.
3. Broke, not boke
Buy smart. Tasteful things can be affordable—if you know where to look. Don’t spend your hard-earned money on cheap things from expensive stores. Find quality where it’s undervalued. It's a skill. A hot girl skill.
The truth is, I’m still learning. I have 100 more things to say, but this isn’t a TED Talk. Just know this:
Stay hot. Stay blessed. And may your cart always be full—but your heart fuller.
Huzzah.
