Bougie is slang for fancy in a status-conscious way: expensive tastes and habits that show off where you stand. That café is a bit bougie: even the water comes with a description. It's often mocking, and about yourself it's self-irony: my fancy notebook habit is a little bougie.
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be / seem bougie; a bougie + place / habit / lifestyle
- They called the café bougie because even the water came with a long description.
- I know my fancy notebook habit is a little bougie.
- The hotel felt too bougie for a simple walking holiday.
What changed
First versionIn the research report: The advertisements promote a bougie lifestyle.
RevisionIn the research report: The advertisements promote a status-conscious lifestyle.
The grammar is fine; the problem is register: slang doesn't belong in a research report. Status-conscious gives the same idea, a focus on social status, in neutral language.
Luxurious means expensive and comfortable, with no teasing. Pretentious is a stronger criticism. Bougie sits in between: pricey, status-driven and a little funny. In an essay: status-conscious or expensive tastes.
Your turn
Choose the neutral wording for a research report about concern with social status: The advertisements promote a ___ lifestyle.
Show the answer
status-conscious — A research report needs neutral academic language about concern with status: status-conscious. Bougie stays a casual judgement.
In a light, friendly tone, describe an expensive habit or place and add a detail that explains your view.
The café is a bit bougie: every cup of tea comes with a story about the farm.
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