2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

diminua

Cherryfudge said:

@diminua, you are doing well for remaining coupons. I was just thinking it's been quiet on here, possibly because we're all trying to make supplies eke out!

Good idea to dye the shoes: I've been keeping a black leather bag going for many years with occasional dying, it's too good a match for my needs to move on from it.

Would you consider second hand jeans? You wouldn't get quite as long a life out of them but they are a lot cheaper and reduce the carbon footprint of the item as well as freeing your coupons for something else.

Yes, definitely - if I can get second hand jeans in my size. Trousers are tricky though - I'm only about 4ft 11, but I also have what is semi-politely referred to as 'child bearing hips', so something cut for a pear shape or with a bit of stretch is a must. 

Cherryfudge

diminua said: I'm only about 4ft 11, but I also have what is semi-politely referred to as 'child bearing hips', so something cut for a pear shape or with a bit of stretch is a must. 

Ah yes - and you need to be comfortable with the result. I wonder if searching for your current pair on E bay or V!nted might yield treasure? Otherwise I suppose it's out with the needle and thread and take some scissors to a longer pair?

2Scratters

@diminua when you say your jeans are done, would performing the Japanese repair style on them help make them last a little longer. It is designed not to be perfect as every repair has a story and continues to keep an item unique. 

2 Scratters xx

diminua

@Cherryfudge @2Scratters

To be honest the jeans I'm getting rid of had been in the wardrobe for ages and although I have lost a stone or so I tried them on fully expecting them to be too tight still. They're OK, do fit, but I don't especially like them, they're just what I had. I'm not really motivated to try to buy the same again, and as it's the inner thigh that's thinning through I think any repair would also be worn away pretty quickly. Still, they've done me an extra year of unexpected service and can retire with honour. 

I used to like straight leg or curvy jeans so will definitely explore the bay for those before I consider forking out precious coupons though.

maryb

I lost quite a bit of weight last year and my old corduroy jeans are now very baggy.  But finding new ones that fit isn’t easy either.  I’m practically remaking the old ones to get them to fit.  Taking them in on the centre back seam is fiddly but I like to keep the look of a flat felled seam. One pair was never that comfortable despite being the same style as the others just a difference colour.  They’re still not quite right even though they now fit on the waist and hips.  It feels as if they are tight across the front at the top of the thigh.  I think it may be a case of the front crotch seam being too long.  I’ve been looking at YouTube videos showing how to shorten the rise and most of them seem to suggest opening the crotch seam from about six inches down the inner thigh each side and taking a chunk out of the front there.  But it feels as if it might work better to take the waistband off and lower the front rise that way.  They are very high waisted and the waist seems to slip down and that’s when they start to feel wrong

Either way it will be a big job but I think I’d get a sense of achievement if I can get it right and keep two perfectly good pairs of jeans out of landfill

Cherryfudge

I think I follow that, @maryb, and I think it make sense but I've never tried it and so much depends on how it fits on you. Do post back and let us know what worked or didn't!

Cherryfudge

An interesting article by someone who has to 'dress up' for her job but made the decision not to buy new this year. I thought I'd post it as some of you may like to have a look - and for those on social media, some of the people she mentions in connection with the rag trade (oops, fashion industry ) have thought-provoking videos. Dh and I had a bit of discussion about how the big clothing chains might have to change... but he's going to ask, at the charity shop where he volunteers, what their 'rag man' does with the rejected clothing.

Laura_Elsewhere

@Cherryfudge - I think one of the most infuriating things about people having to dress up for their job is that for a man, that means wearing the same suit year-round, with the same shirts and one of only a few ties. For a woman, somehow that doesn't work... 
If I had to dress formally for work, I think I would simple adopt a female version of the work suit, and simply wear a skirt-suit with shirt and tie... 

Cherryfudge

Laura_Elsewhere said:

@Cherryfudge - I think one of the most infuriating things about people having to dress up for their job is that for a man, that means wearing the same suit year-round, with the same shirts and one of only a few ties. For a woman, somehow that doesn't work... 
If I had to dress formally for work, I think I would simple adopt a female version of the work suit, and simply wear a skirt-suit with shirt and tie... 

I had a 'back office' job once and admit I quite liked getting together a wardrobe for it! It was the nearest I've ever been to a capsule wardrobe: a black skirt, smart black trousers or smart grey trousers, a series of blouses or jumper/blouses that went with everything and either black shoes or black boots. I rang the changes with a few giant bead necklaces, which were the thing in those days.  

Over the last few years I've gone into work-issue polo shirts, which aren't in the least dressed up, but save a lot of decision making.

I noticed both President Obama and Lord Vetinari opted for black to avoid wasting time over choices.  

I'm very glad I don't have to dress up for work. If it comes to that again I'll make a up a uniform and just make sure there are enough clean/ironed items at the beginning of the week so I don't have to waste time either. My husband does almost exactly that, though he doesn't have to look so formal nowadays. IMO the whole dressing up thing is a waste of time, elitist and a nod to out-moded social norms (not that I have strong views ).

PipneyJane

Laura_Elsewhere said:

@Cherryfudge - I think one of the most infuriating things about people having to dress up for their job is that for a man, that means wearing the same suit year-round, with the same shirts and one of only a few ties. For a woman, somehow that doesn't work... 
If I had to dress formally for work, I think I would simple adopt a female version of the work suit, and simply wear a skirt-suit with shirt and tie... 

It is annoying @Laura_Elsewhere.  Nobody anywhere ever notices what a man is wearing in the office, unless it's smelly/dirty.  A woman, on the other hand.....

Actually, most of the comments about appearances that I've noticed are women commenting on other women. I've worked in male dominated environments for the last < gulp! > 30 years and men just don't comment...unless a woman is showing acres of chest or wearing a black bra under a white shirt or her skirt is way too short (in which case it's usually, "Pip, can you have a word with her please?...").

Whenever I'm in the office, I dress formally.  I wear suits.  I like suits.  They're great for travelling - and I used to travel a lot for work - because you can wear the trousers one day, the skirt the next, then swap your jacket for a toning cardigan on the third day and everyone will think you're wearing something different.  (This is the same cardigan you wear in the evenings, over your jeans.)  On the Friday, when everyone is dressing down, you wear the suit jacket over your jeans and look very "smart casual".

- Pip