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2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge
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I shall keep looking, thanks both! I really hate the constricting feeling of the X-back ones, though, and also, because of getting changed just at the water's edge with dog-walkers passing by, I don't really want anything that needs wriggling out of!
I definitely don't want the sitting-around-looking-pretty kind of swimsuit, but at the same time with my very large size I'd look and feel ridiculous in a 'sporty' type with go-faster stripes and neon zig-zags and whatnot!
I bought two from Slazenger last year, identical, just chose different colours from the drop-down menu, and the red one is fine now that I've shortened the shoulder-straps three inches (the front is now almost at my collarbones), but the black one - in the same size of the same model!!! - is a clear four inches shorter in the body and a good 3-4 inches narrower in the body and with much less stretch.... baffling.
At this rate, I reckon I'm going to end up making myself something...2025 remaining: 37 coupons from 66:
January (29): winter boots, green trainers, canvas swimming-shoes (15); t-shirt x2 (8); 3m cotton twill (6);
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2025 second-hand acquisitions (no coupons): None thus far
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2025 needlework- *Reverse-couponing*:11 coupons :
January: teddybear-lined velvet jacket (11) & hat (0); velvet sleep-mask (0);8 -
I'm sure that's well within your skill set Laura!8
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We had Western Day at my high school (in the US) one year. My best friend made herself an old-fashioned swimsuit with the pantaloon type bottoms and wore that for the day.7
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Swimsuits are such a headache to buy. Trying to find one that you a) like b) fits seems almost impossible.
Anyway, I have a spend to declare - 5 coupons on a pair of trainers to replace the ones which have decided to fall apart. so that is 24 coupons spent in total this year.Sealed Pot Challenge no 035.
Fashion on the Ration - 24.5/66 ( 5 - shoes, 1.5 - bra, 11.5 - 2 pairs of shoes and another bra, 5- t-shirt, 1.5 yet another bra!)7 -
I miss Littlewoods. They had such good, decorous swimsuits.
I appreciate the elastic in modern swimwear, but it seems designed not to last.
I would not to go back to the days of knitted wool swimwear which sagged when wet. I remember the shirred cotton swimming costumes Mum sewed when we were little, printed blue and white stripes with red cherries. They were lovely for paddling, worn with a warm jumper of course, but horrible when wet and cold.6 -
Hi all
@Laura_Elsewhere do you have a changing robe thing or do you just struggle with a towel? I have a friend who made herself a sort of open bottomed long bag with elastic around the top that she just pulled over her head to get changed under. It was below her knees but was roomy enough to wriggle out of her costume without having to use her hands to hold it up. She made it from towelling material so it helped her to get dry as well, although it was big enough to fit her towel under as well. There are also things like dry robes which work really well. A friend has one that she uses to change out of her wetsuit when she has been windsurfing. Lots of room in them and they are sized according to your height. I think even the school uniform swim wear now has a racer back as it does ensure nothing falls out and to be honest I feel more comfortable swimming in them though I have in the past couple of years had reasonable swim wear from mands which carry larger sizes. As for the leg length, or lack of it in some cases, I have recently been looking at swim wear with a shorts leg or even swim shorts to wear over a high leg costume seem to be popular in my local pool so must be available.
Take care everyone5 -
14 coupons added; I have a special event upcoming shortly which I need to dress up a bit for, and although the jacket, hat, bag & shoes have been sourced secondhand, suitable dresses just haven't turned up. So I trotted off up to our little town centre & found what I was looking for - smart enough, but comfortable & easily wearable again - in SeaSalt. Phase Eight, White Stuff & Mint Velvet had lovely things, but not in the right colours - the jacket & accessories are dark red, and I was very keen to avoid a red, white & blue colourway, and all three of them seemed to be very heavy on the navy blue & white - but the Seasalt dresses were just right, smart but not OTT. And there was a special offer on - for one day only, 10% off, plus another 20% if over £100. So I bought two, and paid just under £100 after the discounts. Slightly naughty, but I almost never buy new clothes, so when I do find things that fit & suit me, and are practical for a number of different sorts of occasions, I'm stocking up!Angie - GC Jul 25: £225.85/£500 : 2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: 26/68: (Money's just a substitute for time & talent...)10
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There's a lot to be said for finding the 'right things', I'd call that an investment, @thriftwizardI 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 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-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 21/3/229 -
That sounds like a bargain, @thriftwizard. I really like Seasalt clothing and they have a very strong track record for ethical production of both their clothes and the fabric they use. One of my main reasons for doing 'Fashion on the Ration' is because of the huge environmental cost of production of new clothing, so they are one of the brands I'll occasionally buy.Life is mainly froth and bubble: two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.10
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Ooh! @thriftwizard, I am impressed at your outfit building and money saving. It can be so hard to pull an outfit together from disparate sources. Well done! What colour is the dress?
You must share a photo of your outfit on the “big day”.
I have the day to myself today - DH is off, playing RPG’s at a mate’s - so I am planning to spend the day sorting out my knitting projects, sewing stuff up, and finally figuring out what to do with the current knitting project. I did get a reply from their pattern support - now to re-read it a dozen times to try to understand 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 - 29.5 spent.
4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
4 - 1 pair "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
6 - Ukraine Forever Tartan Ruana wrap
12 - yarn
1.5 - sports bra
2 - leather wallet8
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