2019 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

I still haven’t worked out my latest coupon count but, sadly, I might have another purchase to add. My black cashmere jumper has developed a hole in the underarm region. I discovered it when I went to put it on this morning. At this point, I don’t know if it’s due to wear, rubbish fibres or whether something has nibbled it. (I hope not the latter.). It’s a MrT’s Finest pure cashmere jumper and must be 10 years old, but only gets worn (maybe) 6 times a winter. My DH has had a couple of them where the fibres have just come apart during a wash, but I won’t be able to work it out until I get home in a couple of days (I’m working away until Thursday).

maddiemay wrote: »

Pip I love the coat looks so cosy and a definite investment item, I hope it keeps you snug and warm and you will look great.

I decided that today was a good day for properly tracking my ration coupons and clothes/shoe spending in general for this year. I really did not think that I had bought very much, but find I have spent £256, 34 items in total, 12 being new purchases, leaving me with a whole 4 coupons left

The new things are:-
2 Down & Feather Gilets,
1 Down & Feather Jacket
2 pairs leggings (1 for gym use)
1 warm, lined bobble hat
1 gorgeous pink & purple Baker's Boy cap
1 pair Skechers sandals
1 pair summer trousers
1 summer skirt
Yarn for a sweater
1 white T shirt

With the exception of the white t shirt which has turned out to be "rather a snug fit" (my OH was less complimentary LOL) everything should be in use for many years to come.

I have not kept a note of how many ill fitting or less than flattering things I have sent to the CS this year, but realistically I think I have matched or got close to the 22 CS buys, most of which are really good quality and again should be worn for a good while.

Can you tell I am working hard at justifying my clotheaholic sp? tendencies :rotfl:

Do you want us to be your conscience or your cheer squad? Having 4 coupons left at this point of the year is actually pretty good.:T

If you want us to be your conscience, then I have three questions for you:

1. Why didn’t you try the white t-shirt on before purchasing it?
2. Why didn’t you attempt to exchange it for a different size?
3. Why two down gilets? Was it to get different colours or is it because they were such good value and fit that you stocked up while you had the chance?

- Pip

Laura_Elsewhere

PipneyJane wrote: »

I still haven’t worked out my latest coupon count but, sadly, I might have another purchase to add. My black cashmere jumper has developed a hole in the underarm region. I discovered it when I went to put it on this morning. At this point, I don’t know if it’s due to wear, rubbish fibres or whether something has nibbled it. (I hope not the latter.). It’s a MrT’s Finest pure cashmere jumper and must be 10 years old, but only gets worn (maybe) 6 times a winter. My DH has had a couple of them where the fibres have just come apart during a wash, but I won’t be able to work it out until I get home in a couple of days (I’m working away until Thursday).

My money's on the fibres being chopped in cheap processing - bluntly any cashmere that didn't require you to sell a kidney to meet the cost is probably not going to last six years! I had two cashmere cardigans for aeons and aeons, bought before little cashmere cardigans were fashionable, from a shop that was still called "second-hand clothes" because they hadn't invented "vintage" or "retro" in those days - I wore those cardigans day after day after day for years and years - and they were stretched, too, as they were really a bit too small for me but I couldn't resist them so I squeezed myself into them... they are still fine now, packed away in my parents' place (in one of the few places I manage to keep moth-free on my irregular visits), and the only reason I stopped wearing them was gaining a couple of stone so they really didn't go on any more...

That's why everyone goes on about cashmere - it literally lasts decades. I must have worn those cardigans 3-4 days a week, for 9-10 months of the year, for about 15 years...

PipneyJane wrote: »

Do you want us to be your conscience or your cheer squad? Having 4 coupons left at this point of the year is actually pretty good.:T

If you want us to be your conscience, then I have three questions for you:

1. Why didn’t you try the white t-shirt on before purchasing it?
2. Why didn’t you attempt to exchange it for a different size?
3. Why two down gilets? Was it to get different colours or is it because they were such good value and fit that you stocked up while you had the chance?

- Pip

Oooh good questions! I like those...

I'm still startled at having 11.5 coupons left - but I have tried to spend them - only my standards have gone up, I think. I am no longer happy getting something that will "do" - I will get something that is what I want, even if that means waiting, or making it, or saving up to have it made...

maddiemay

Pip, I hope that the cashmere jumper proves to be repairable.

Good questions:-
Why didn’t you try the white t-shirt on before purchasing it?
Why didn’t you attempt to exchange it for a different size?
Why two down gilets? Was it to get different colours or is it because they were such good value and fit that you stocked up while you had the chance?

The t-shirt was from Sainsbugs and looked roomy on the hanger, and is a size that normally fits me well in their ranges, I live minimum of 26 miles from a S......... store, so at a cost of £8 it was not worth the cost of diesel and my time to return it, it is just a plain long sleeve T and a soft viscose mix, so will be worn out as an under layer:)

The gilets were marked down well in M&S sale, one in bright red and the other bright pink, both colours that I wear regularly. We are fortunate to be able to spend 7-8 weeks in total each year travelling in our caravan. My "uniform" is then usually black or dark blue trousers/jeans of appropriate weight for the weather, Craghoppers fleece shirts and of course Goretex boots and coats:rotfl: the gilets will be a great addition.

I am pretty happy to get towards the end of the year with a small amount of credit, but think I would find it hard if not well stocked to start with and have to be buying tights as often as when I was at work:eek:

Ms_W

Is this continuing in 2020 and also is there a similar one for food/ cleaning household products as well as bedding, cloths, linen etc. or could you not buy these items???
also do you take these from mens list, shorts, swimming costumes, dressing gowns
what would the coupon count be for a belt
thank you

PollyWollyDoodle

I hope we are going to continue this into 2020. I think shorts would be as per the Men’s Clothing list - it wasn’t anticipated that women would be wearing shorts! And I think belts must be similar to suspenders and garters, which have no coupons. I don’t know about a dressing gown, that’s a good question – there’s quite a lot of fabric in them, so I think it might count as a coat?

PollyWollyDoodle

I am ashamed to say that I have exceeded my coupons, had to resort to the black market. This is quite out of character for me, but I saw a dress and just had to have it. It was in the shop for ladies with large boobs, we only went in because my sister was having a bra fitting. It’s a very simple blue velvet dress and I fell in love with it. It wasn’t in the budget or the plan, but sometimes you have to follow your heart. I was able to follow my “three times” rule, i.e. I could think of three occasions when I’ll wear it, and three things I already own that will go with it. So that’s my coupons blown for the year! I’m actually surprised at how much I’ve bought this year, but a lot of it has been secondhand. I got a marvellous Christmas jumper for just £4 in a charity shop.

maddiemay

PollyWollyDoodle I hope the new dress makes your heart sing every time that you wear it, sounds lovely.

I am looking forward to taking part for a full year in 2020, it really keeps me on my toes and not buying things that are just OK, or that I love, but would rarely wear.

Still not managing to knit very much, Physio commented yesterday that my worst hand is now "very grunchy", think I may have to ask yarn shop owner if she can get my sweater knitted up for me (Rowan Felted Tweed sideways knit), such a lot of pain and cannot knit more than a row or two at a time. I have some lovely Aran weight in stash and I think I could manage this better, thicker needles etc.

PipneyJane

Polly That dress sounds lovely. Enjoy it.

Maddiemay, I am so sorry about your hand. Have you considered trying a different style of knitting - say Portuguese - which may change the way you hold your needles and put less stress on your hand?

Ms_W wrote: »

Is this continuing in 2020 and also is there a similar one for food/ cleaning household products as well as bedding, cloths, linen etc. or could you not buy these items???
also do you take these from mens list, shorts, swimming costumes, dressing gowns
what would the coupon count be for a belt
thank you

Yes, we’ll be doing a 2020 Challenge.

For food/cleaning/household products, you could try the monthly Grocery Challenge. The members of that are very good at scrutinising your shopping habits and suggesting alternatives.

Re shorts, you have a choice of taking from the men’s list (5 coupons a pair) or considering them to be a divided skirt/culottes (7 coupons a pair). You’ll need to make a value judgement based on the amount of fabric involved.

There are no mentions of swimming costumes or dressing gowns so my guess is that they weren’t generally available. For a swimming costume, I’d say 4 coupons, the same as for a petticoat or cami-knickers. A dressing gown uses about the same fabric, skill set and time as a coat, so I’d go with 9 coupons, which is an unlined men’s coat. At a guess, a belt would be one or two coupons depending on the work involved.

Bed linen and table cloths weren’t generally available, so aren’t listed on the main announcement. I don’t know what rate was applied to those, sorry.

HTH,

- Pip

ETA, as a general principle, whatever is on the men’s list applies to both sexes unless there is a specific listing for women/girls. Male chauvinism was rife in the 1940’s.

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

I have one more spend to report. I have made a top to use at Christmas with some fabric from my sewing box subscription I get every month. I haven't used that much fabric, only 1 metre which I think is quite resourceful for me. I take that as another 3 coupons off my tally which means I have 26 coupons left I think. I have washed some more fabric to have a go at making a pair of pyjamas next. I have also had some ideas on how to use another piece of reversible fabric to make a pinafore dress. I wonder if I would have the time to get both of these done by Christmas. Doing this challenge this year has been a real eye opener and it has really made me think about what I am spending. I never really used to spend a lot on clothes but I didn't always think about how much wear I would get out of things. I will definitely be continuing with this next year.

thriftwizard

Swimming costumes, back in the days of rationing, were generally knitted. I've had some hysterically bizarre patterns from the late 30s on my stall, which always sell on their first outing as they make people laugh; people often buy old knitting patterns to make cards from. We do also have some pictures of my great-aunt & uncle wearing the results, which are probably better forgotten!

I also have a pair of pyjamas to make before Christmas, for OH. I'll have to do some pattern-juggling as they're being made from vintage flannelette sheets! I'm pretty sure there's enough fabric there, but not as they're laid out in the pattern. Luckily the patterns are so psychedelic that pattern-matching won't be an issue...