2024 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

Watty1 said:

Can i just check second hand items are coupon free?  I purchased a cape at the weekend at the charity shop.  Gorgeous (I wouldn't mind using coupons!) brown knitted with a faux fur trim.   I popped in the washing machine on a hand wash with a bit of soap powder and when dry used a hair brush to brush out the trim. Looks like new, and feel v glam in it.  Added a vintage ((although very modern for this thread) broach on date and yes! Very nice date too

It sounds fab- and yes, second-hand clothing and footwear needs no coupons; a few people are choosing to count them in this group, but the basic main challenge doesn't, and the original wartime coupons were not needed for second-hand items.... the aim was to reduce manufacturing of non-war goods, so re-selling and re-buying was ideal, as were re-making and repairing and reusing and all the other 're's! 

PollyWollyDoodle

That sounds lovely!  Yes, under rationing, secondhand items didn’t require any coupons. One or two people on here have decided to use coupons anyway, in order to limit their spending. 

I buy almost everything secondhand (or ‘preloved’ as we now say 😄) which is why I usually end up with lots of spare coupons.  It’s one of the reasons I love this challenge, it has completely changed my mindset about buying clothes. I was given a gift voucher at Christmas for a well-known clothing store (I could also use it to buy their delicious but expensive food) and I’m really struggling to think what to spend it on. 

flamingo747

Definitely free. I'm only keeping a count on mine because I don't buy brand new usually anyhow, but do spend too much buying unnecessary/unloved secondhand clothing and I need to learn to use and love what I have in a more frugal, OS manner. 

Watty1

thanks all.  I'm going to try the 1 in 1 out rule as my long term aim is to downsize and also I'm working on my new life and what that will look like so 1 in 1 out is a bit of a plan - plus - if I'm getting dressed to go somewhere and I decide not to wear something that goes too (unless I am in a hurry and I think 'styling' it might work in which case it is allowed back in the cupboard on a temporary basis.

PollyWollyDoodle

A good plan @Watty.  I realised last year that I was buying things because they were a bargain and not because I needed them!  

A recent wardrobe assessment revealed that I’ve got 12 long sleeved T-shirts. They get used, at this time of year I’m wearing two layers, but I probably didn’t need that many to start with. 

Something I used to do in previous times was the “three things” rule, which I’ve probably mentioned on here before.  Before buying anything new, I had to think of three places/occasions when I would wear it, and three things that it would go with. Stuff I could wear to work was an exception to the ‘three places’ rule. It made my spending much more mindful. 

PipneyJane

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Good to see you back in the Village Hall, Pip. Let me make up the fire. 

That sounds interesting, I like The Infinite Monkey Cage. Was it Anna Ploszajski? https://www.annaploszajski.com/

Yes, I think it was @PollyWollyDoodle.  

Now, I am wondering do we approach her in real life?  Or just give her the Honorary Post and a shock, next time she googles herself?  How on earth do I write an email to her, explaining about Fashion On The Ration and Much Mending on The Borrow, etc.  (If anyone wants to bravely do this on our collective behalf, please do.)

Last dose of the current round of chemo today.  Took 6 hours.  I’m not massively tired, though, because I’ve dozed and rested during the day, listening to podcasts etc.

Shall probably got to sleep around 8.30pm and wake up again around 5…..

- Pip

Laura_Elsewhere

PipneyJane said:

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Good to see you back in the Village Hall, Pip. Let me make up the fire. 

That sounds interesting, I like The Infinite Monkey Cage. Was it Anna Ploszajski? https://www.annaploszajski.com/

Yes, I think it was @PollyWollyDoodle.  

Now, I am wondering do we approach her in real life?  Or just give her the Honorary Post and a shock, next time she googles herself?  How on earth do I write an email to her, explaining about Fashion On The Ration and Much Mending on The Borrow, etc.  (If anyone wants to bravely do this on our collective behalf, please do.)

Last dose of the current round of chemo today.  Took 6 hours.  I’m not massively tired, though, because I’ve dozed and rested during the day, listening to podcasts etc.

Shall probably got to sleep around 8.30pm and wake up again around 5…..

- Pip

I can try to draft something to send her, if you like... 

PipneyJane

@Laura_Elsewhere if you could, that would be wonderful.  You are an excellent word-smith.

- Pip

TC77

Morning, I've been thinking for a couple of years of joining you all here and now thrown my hat in.  
Just read second hand doesn't count which is good as I've bought 3 pairs of trews 2nd hand this year. I will have a think about what was new at the start of the month. I buy many of my clothes 2nd hand so may keep a record of this too but find when I buy one item new I often buy several similar so at Xmas bought a flecky  green polo neck,  then in sale a light green thinner polo and green hoodie in the sale, i survived for years without these.  I  find I focus on  a theme for a while. I have worn these and getting better at wearing my 'good' items but do  have things with labels still on from years ago.
I like the earlie suggestion of thinking of 3 places I'd wear an outfit. 
Hoping when I look back to beg Jan I still have most of my coupons left as bought a mac, bras and flat canvas type shoes!
I have mended a fleece and some brand new but bought from charity shop jeans ( in addition to the 3 trews mentioned earlier) that had a hole which needed sewing. 
I'm ooking forward to reading how everyone gets on and getting tips etc. And as I type realising how much stuff I buy. Abit shocked that 4 pairs of jeans/  trousers have come in- hoping some were in December! 

PipneyJane

TC77 said:

Morning, I've been thinking for a couple of years of joining you all here and now thrown my hat in.  
Just read second hand doesn't count which is good as I've bought 3 pairs of trews 2nd hand this year. I will have a think about what was new at the start of the month. I buy many of my clothes 2nd hand so may keep a record of this too but find when I buy one item new I often buy several similar so at Xmas bought a flecky  green polo neck,  then in sale a light green thinner polo and green hoodie in the sale, i survived for years without these.  I  find I focus on  a theme for a while. I have worn these and getting better at wearing my 'good' items but do  have things with labels still on from years ago.
I like the earlie suggestion of thinking of 3 places I'd wear an outfit. 
Hoping when I look back to beg Jan I still have most of my coupons left as bought a mac, bras and flat canvas type shoes!
I have mended a fleece and some brand new but bought from charity shop jeans ( in addition to the 3 trews mentioned earlier) that had a hole which needed sewing. 
I'm ooking forward to reading how everyone gets on and getting tips etc. And as I type realising how much stuff I buy. Abit shocked that 4 pairs of jeans/  trousers have come in- hoping some were in December! 

Welcome @TC77.  Please pull up a chair by the wood stove and tell us all about yourself.  Cup of tea?  The pot is freshly brewed.

It is worth bookmarking the first post in this thread.  There is a lot of information in there about coupon costs, etc, that’s is worth re-reading.  Second hand clothes are coupon free, but a few of the Ladies are keeping a tally of what they’re spending second-hand, etc.

Remember, anything purchased prior to 1st January 2024 was prior to rationing and does not count in your 2024 coupon cost.

- Pip