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2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

PipneyJane
PipneyJane Posts: 4,478 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
edited 10 November 2023 pm30 12:43PM in Old style MoneySaving

Welcome to the village hall of Much Mending on the Borrow, where it is perpetually 1942. We’ve just finished the village Fun Run and the runners are discussing their times.  There’s a fire in the wood-stove, tea brewing in the pot and cakes to share.  Don’t mind Scruffy-dog on the hearth rug, or Jess, the cat, on the window-seat.   They promise not to shed all over your knitting and, if you’re feeling down, they’ll come over and give you a cuddle.

We’re quite a busy little village.  There’s a cricket club, @CraftyLittleLisa’s haberdashery shop, a weekly market where @thriftwizard has a stall, a half-timbered pub called The Make Do and Mend, the Norman church with its choir, and the nearby USAF airbase where @TwibbleDee lives.  @Cherryfudge is captain of the Athletics Club, while @Laura_Elsewhere organises the Ramblers.  Up the hill is Much Mending On The Rise, home of Margot Leadbetter, that horribly patronising Lucia woman (of Mapp & Lucia fame) and the railway station. 

The talk turns to the new tranche of 66 clothing coupons for the year.  Who has any left from last year?   What are your plans to spend them?  Would you like to join us?  Last year’s Fashion On The Ration Challenge can be found here.  The challenge is based on the original 1941 coupons.  



Government announcement in the Evening Argus, June 1, 1941

To break it down into Women's clothing only:-

Lined mackintosh or coat over 28" - 14 coupons

Under 28" short coat or jacket - 11 coupons

Frock, gown or dress of wool - 11 coupons

Frock, gown or dress of other fabric - 7 coupons

Bodice with girls skirt or gym tunic - 8 coupons

Pyjamas - 8 coupons

Divided skirt or skirt – 7 coupons

Nightdress - 6 coupons

Dungarees or overalls - 6 coupons

Blouse, shirt, sports top, cardigan or jumper - 5 coupons

Pair of slippers, boots or shoes – 5 coupons

Other garments including corsets - 3 coupons

Petticoat or slip, cami-knickers or combinations - 4 coupons

Apron or pinafore - 3 coupons

Scarf, gloves, mittens or muff - 2 coupons

Stockings per pair - 2 coupons

Ankle socks per pair – 1 coupon

1 yard wool cloth 36"wide – 3 coupons, non-woollen cloth is 2 coupons

2 ounces of wool knitting yarn – 1 coupon


Assumptions for the Challenge:-

  • 1 yard of fabric equals 1 modern metre. No penalty for width.
  • 2 ounces of wool knitting yarn equals 50g of any knitting yarn containing natural fibres. Note: according to a display I once saw at the Imperial War Museum, there was a different coupon cost for man-made fibre, but I've never found out what so let's assume acrylic is half the coupon cost of wool, i.e. 100g acrylic equals 1 coupon.
  • Based on the quantity of fabric and work involved, a "corset" is the equivalent of two bras, therefore each bra is 1.5 coupons.
  • Ditto one pair of Cami-knickers would equal two pairs of modern bikini-style knickers or thongs, making each pair of modern knickers 2 coupons.
  • Bodice with skirt = shirt/blouse/t-shirt purchased at the same time as a matching or co-ordinating skirt or trousers = 8 coupons in total.
  • Dungarees = jeans = 6 coupons.
  • Ditto trousers.
  • Oodies = siren suits and cost the same as a dressing gown, i.e. 8 coupons for a man and 6 for a woman.
  • Leggings count as 2 coupons, the same as thermal tights.
  • Second-hand clothing is exempt.
  • Leather handbags aren't mentioned anywhere in the clothing coupon data. The assumption is that they weren't made once the war was in full swing. Ditto leather wallets and purses. I assume a leather handbag involves the same effort and leather as a pair of shoes at 5 coupons. A new wallet/purse can be 2 coupons.
  • Stockings/tights. At 2 coupons a pair, stockings are really expensive in coupon-terms. Because of your connection to the armed forces, you have been given 6 special vouchers for those 4-pair value packs, which will not require coupons to redeem.  Each voucher can also be swapped for a pair of thermal tights or leggings.
  • Face masks are coupon free.
  • If something isn't listed under women's clothing, but is listed under men's, assume its the same coupon cost as men's , e.g. shorts aren’t mentioned in the list of women’s clothing, so ladies shorts cost the same as the men’s - 5 coupons.
  • Hats are listed in the fine print.  They are coupon free.
  • Leather and cotton belts are coupon free.
  • Swimsuits cost 3 coupons and fall into the category of "Other Under Garments including Corsets".

Some posts you might find useful:-

The sock knitting pattern:  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/76693555/#Comment_76693555 

@Laura_Elsewhere’s advice for making a face mask:  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77193632/#Comment_77193632

@Nonnadiluca’s broccoli and pasta au gratin: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77197230/#Comment_77197230

The free knickers pattern used by @thriftwizard to turn old t-shirts into undies:  https://indigorchid.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/sewing-underwear-the-free-pattern/ 

Website for printing PDF'd sewing patterns onto A0 pattern paper:  https://www.patternsy.com/

The Wartime Recipes thread:  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6409173/war-time-recipes#latest 

@Gem-gem's recipes for crochet stars and crochet granny squares:  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6322521/2022-fashion-on-the-ration-challenge/p217

@Grouchy's thread regarding 1950's ladies dressing habits:  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6483561/50s-question/p1

"Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.' "

It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!

2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons - 8 spent.

4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
4 - 1 pair of "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
«134567133

Comments

  • PipneyJane
    PipneyJane Posts: 4,478 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    edited 26 February 2023 am28 9:57AM
    "Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.' "

    It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!

    2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons - 8 spent.

    4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
    4 - 1 pair of "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
  • I am definitely "in"! 

    Here's to 2023 being the year we all keep our buying down to what is sensible... :) 

    And @PipneyJane - you did say "no yarn this year" for you, so we shall be looking at you over the top of our specs if you buy any! :) 
    2025 remaining: 37 coupons from 66:
    January (29): winter boots, green trainers, canvas swimming-shoes (15); t-shirt x2 (8); 3m cotton twill (6);
    .
    2025 second-hand acquisitions (no coupons): None thus far
    .
    2025 needlework- *Reverse-couponing*:11 coupons :
    January: teddybear-lined velvet jacket (11) & hat (0); velvet sleep-mask (0);
  • I am definitely "in"! 

    Here's to 2023 being the year we all keep our buying down to what is sensible... :) 

    And @PipneyJane - you did say "no yarn this year" for you, so we shall be looking at you over the top of our specs if you buy any! :) 
    See?  I told you I couldn't do this without you. :)

    - Pip
    "Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.' "

    It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!

    2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons - 8 spent.

    4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
    4 - 1 pair of "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 12,301 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'm here too - Flash Harry told me you get extra coupons for using stashed yarn and there's a coupon amnesty till the New Year - but I have a feeling it was a dream, wasn't it?
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration challenge, 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet set 7.5= 12.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, tee shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • I'm here too - Flash Harry told me you get extra coupons for using stashed yarn and there's a coupon amnesty till the New Year - but I have a feeling it was a dream, wasn't it?

    More cake?  Tea?

    Sadly, yes, it was a dream, but we don't carry forward overspends, so if you go wild, the slate will be wiped clean at midnight on New Year's Eve and nobody will notice.

    - Pip
    "Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.' "

    It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!

    2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons - 8 spent.

    4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
    4 - 1 pair of "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
  • I'm in! I'm excited to try this 😁
    A small, orange, enamel teapot sort of person apparently...

    2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: 28/66 coupons 

    2 Jumpers - 5 coupons each
    4 small scarves - 2 coupons 
    1 waistcoat - 5 coupons 
    short coat or jacket - 11 coupons
  • MrsCD
    MrsCD Posts: 1,897 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Xmas Saver!
    I'm back again, too, if that's ok!
    2025 Fashion on the ration
    150g sock yarn = 3 coupons
  • Diane1276 said:
    I'm in! I'm excited to try this 😁
    Welcome @Diane1276.  Please come in and take a seat by the fire.  Cup of tea?   Do tell us more about yourself.  Do you craft?  I knit, sew and crochet.

     (@Laura_Elsewhere - where did you hide the cake tin from the dog?  I'd swear it was here a minute ago and now can't find it.)

    - Pip
    "Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.' "

    It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!

    2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons - 8 spent.

    4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
    4 - 1 pair of "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
  • Count me in!! This I’m so up for doing and starting on the correct date! 😂
    Well lets see - I dip in and out of MSE all the time but I still come back - have done since 2007!!! 2023 - Fashion on a ration - 5/66 2023 - 1p Chalenge - £18 in Monzo pot (cannot do pennies so am rounding up)2023 - Frugal Living - Budget still to be finalised - ambition is to cut my food budget by 20% by shopping smarter and meal planning 2023 - January - NSD 15/20 February - NSD 3/15
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