2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

flamingo747

Beautiful blanket! I have a whole bag of granny squares to put together I wish I'd just made it your way!

flamingo747

"In 1943, the production of civilian clothing was suspended and no ration cards were issued for clothes. Exchange centres were set up so that people could swap clothing and furniture." I read this about what happened in Germany, though I can't find much more info about how clothing rationing worked before then. No new clothes at all though! 

diminua

Boots acquired or rather, since they were already acquired, boots turned up. Nice and shiny like conkers (I much prefer brown to black). I need to get my old green suede ones heeled and possibly soled now I have these ones for work. They're worn on the outside - I supinate, and I've sprained both my ankles (although not at the same time) before now because they've rolled too far out. Never when doing anything you'd think might be risky, like clambering over rocks in the Giant's causeway or jumping over ditches, but really basic stuff like getting off the bus.  Having heels that already tilt my foot that way is not going to help.

13.5 coupons left.  

Cherryfudge

flamingo747 said:

"In 1943, the production of civilian clothing was suspended and no ration cards were issued for clothes. Exchange centres were set up so that people could swap clothing and furniture." I read this about what happened in Germany, though I can't find much more info about how clothing rationing worked before then. No new clothes at all though! 

For some reason, it had never occurred to me that Germany had rationing though I knew that there were privations in the countries they invaded. No new clothes must have been very tough, especially things like stockings, and children's clothes. I've been refreshing my knowledge of the end of the war after reading your post, and new clothes were almost the least of their worries, with many starving to death. We don't know how lucky we are.  

flamingo747

There does seem to be a lack of info on life in Germany at the time, which has always interested me. I think an awful lot of the populace had bought into horrible rhetoric and become nazis, but I think the further we get from then and the more we see how people have become politically radicalised in the last decade or two, the more we have to look at how easily that can happen to populations if kindness and tolerance aren't prioritised. There are certainly parallels between the earliest nazi days (whilst they were still a political party and not a full blown dictatorship) and the make America great again rhetoric. Those same views of in group vs out group, poverty, lack of opportunities,  and some citizens being worth more than others. I think many Germans bought into that early on, and it only spiraled from then. Antisemitism was pretty rife right across Europe and America. There was a fascinating program (maybe bbc) about America's attitudes to Jewish people before and during WW2 and the effect that had on refugees and their choice to enter the war. If I ever find it again I'll try to remember to put it here. 

I am trying to decide whether to buy a Disney top for my trip to Disneyland this month.  It's not  something I'm likely to wear much afterwards, and would only be second hand, but does it go against the spirit of the challenge if I am buying things I don't need and won't use?

Wraithlady

If you're not going to use it afterwards, I'd say no.

weenancyinAmerica

Disney tops aren't required -- I never wear them but my roommate Di always wears them even at home. (PS I live in Anaheim 3 miles from Disneyland, several roommates work there on and off). If you do come to Anaheim and want Disney souvenirs, we recommend visiting the Walmart store on Euclid as it has a Disney section for much less than Disneyland. 

I too have been concerned that our former president with the orange face has been working his way through Hitler's instruction book. It is very scary here. I can see all of the steps that Germany followed and can see them as they are happening now. He has a very scary cult following - and they are armed. I hope he is convicted of all of the charges against him and is disqualified from ever being president again - and that his cult members don't try to take over. Or I may be living the 1940s all over again here.

PollyWollyDoodle

I recommend reading 'The Past Is Myself' by Christabel Bielenberg, a British woman who was married to a German lawyer and bringing up her young family there when the war began. It's a while since I read it but I remember she talked about the difficulties of life there, especially towards the end of the war.  A very interesting book. 

flamingo747

Thanks Polly will look out for that

Baileys_Babe

Thank you @PollyWollyDoodle I have requested a copy from the library.