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Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge




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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. The local firm of solicitors is called Heel, Flapp & Gusset. 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.

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.
- 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".
- *After much discussion, it was agreed that a t-shirt is 4 coupons, not 5.
Some posts you might find useful:-
The sock knitting pattern: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/76693555/#Comment_76693555
@Diane1276’s instructions for short-row heels:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81273513/#Comment_81273513
@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: https://gwenstellamade.com/blog/10-free-underwear-sewing-patterns
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
@Laura_Elsewhere's Banana Crumble Bars: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80486923/#Comment_80486923
@Laura_Elsewhere’s chocolate digestives. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80786263/#Comment_80786263
@Nelliegrace’s grandmother’s Bara Brith Recipe
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81045329/#Comment_81045329
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 - 4 spent.
4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
Comments
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Participants for 2025:-
@alicef
@Baileys_Babe
@basketcase
@Bella_Budget
@CapricornLass
@Cherryfudge
@Diane1276
@diminua
@dND
@florianatwobob
@Gem-gem
@keepcalmandcraft
@kiwisavings
@Laura_Elsewhere
@laura_lau
@Liverpool_Anne
@maryb
@missmarbuff
@MrsCD
@Mrs_Mavis
@Nelliegrace
@PipneyJane
@pixtotts
@PollyWollyDoodle
@potplant
@PurpleAndGreen
@Sarahspangles
@thriftmonster
@thriftwizard
@Watty1
@weenancyinAmerica
@whatadeelight
@wit40iwtwan
@Wraithlady
"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 - 4 spent.
4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl8 -
Not going to join in but I must say you do seem to make a fun time of it!! I don't do clothes shopping other than about once a year when I really need something or I'm off to my homeland where I know I like the clothing and it's a fraction of the price here.
And also I wondered why PipneyJane sounded so familiar but then I remember it's because a have a card in phone pocket that I picked up on holiday for an artist named Pip.... Like the devil comment in your signature too btw.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Debt Free Wannabe and Old Style Money Saving boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
"Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.” Nellie McClung9 -
I'm in. I blew it last year because I had lost a lot of weight and had to buy lots of new stuff. (I pretended it was early 1939 with war looming and I was being prudent and buying what I needed while it was available). But I think I'm pretty well sorted now so I hope I can stick to my allocationIt doesn't matter if you are a glass half full or half empty sort of person. Keep it topped up! Cheers!10
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This sounds like fun - please count me in2025 G/C £0/£416011
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Good afternoon everyone.I'm back in for 2025. This thread helps keep me on the straight and narrow. Only 12 coupons over for me last year, thank goodness my DH needs are minimal, so combined we were under. I won't carry any if his over as I received some wool for Christmas. I am crocheting him a scarf at the moment.Needs for 2025: Trousers2025 Fashion on a ration 0/66 coupons
2025 Frugal challenge9 -
I'm back! (Thanks @PipneyJane). I've about 30 coupons to carry forward (plus X amount from other years but I think they bite the dust after a while). If @Laura_Elsewhere is doing her reverse coupons challenge I will also follow progress there though I've failed yet again to conquer my sewing machine so all my savings have been in terms of mending, or not buying. That said, in 2024 I used some of my yarn stash, just not in significant amounts.
If my NY's resolutions come to anything, I might get the athletics club back on its feet. I'm the one pounding very, very slowly through the village a couple of times a week...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 21/3/229 -
Thanks, @PipneyJane - I’m in! This challenge has helped me so much, I have bought very few new clothes over the last five years (although lots of secondhand).I don’t know how many coupons I spent last year; one brand-new pair of boots, a pair of pyjamas, I think I had a new swimsuit top but I can’t remember much else. Oh, I bought some fabric for a dress which turned out to be a bad choice. I won’t be carrying any coupons over, anyway.I was given some M&S vouchers for Christmas, so at some point I’ll have to find a use for them, but otherwise it will be second-hand all the way! And I’m going to begin the year with a wardrobe purge, because I’ve still got too much. Happy New Year to all my fellow Rationistas, I look forward to hearing how you spend your coupons.Life is mainly froth and bubble: two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.6
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I have coupons left over but am choosing not to carry them over. I need to reduce, so I shall try to make the 66 coupons last me the year, just as my grandmothers had to.
My 2024 coupons were spent more on clothes than in years, but all good quality and decently-made (lovely company, Joanie, esp for larger sizes! Not so impressed with White Stuff who sell larger sizes but don't grade the patterns properly, just making them bigger rather than altering the shape and dimensions- fat people aren't just enlarged evenly all over, White Stuff!).
I need to add to this list, one blouse and three cotton/denim dresses, plus 2.5 metres of wool-silk fabric, but I think that's the lot. I must brain-storm a bit to see what I can remember...!
The "reverse-couponing" idea ground to a halt early on, but I shall do it again this year- it's entirely NOT compulsory, just a ruse to get me to sew and knit and crochet more, to reduce the awful quantity of 'ingredients' whilst I am, like the barefoot cobblers' children, wearing the same few things over and again because nothing else fits... So I shall keep a note of what I make as well as what I buy, and try to end 2025 with more made than bought!
2024: June 13th, blue-stripe linen-blend sun-dress (7) July needlecord dress (7) 50g knitting wool (2) remaining: 50 coupons from 66
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second-hand acquisitions (no coupons): c.5 yards rich-red heavy linen fabric, free; c.3 yards cream linen, eBay;
2024 needlework (reverse-coupons): 3:i:24 sleep-mask (0); 12:i:2024 red linen pinafore dress (7); *Reverse-couponing*: 7 coupons2025 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
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2025 needlework- *Reverse-couponing*:11 coupons :
January: teddybear-lined velvet jacket (11) & hat (0); velvet sleep-mask (0);9 -
Please count me in Pip.
I will check through this year's spends and then post if I have anything to carry over. I've found this thread so helpful - both with hints and idea and making me think twice before buying anything.
I've found the sewing machines, now all I have to do is generate space and time to learn how to use them properly and get stuck into the fabric stash I have. Ditto with the yarn. My cardigan ground to a halt when the builders returned and I'm trying to get my head back into the space where it can deal with ' work the decrease as the first side but in reverse ', paraphrased but I'm sure you get the gist. Mind just went blank when I read those instructions for the second side. So Xmas clear up started and I have to sit down one day and figure it out. 😁x
FASHION ON THE RATION - 2024 62/66 coupons : 2025 0/66 coupons9 -
I'm in again too please.
I don't have anything to carry over - in fact I ended up buying under the counter last autumn so I'll be keeping an eye on myself this year.Fashion on the Ration 2025 - 49.5 coupons remaining
February Grocery Challenge £75.03/£220 spent
Declutter 7 things (net) in 2024 21 in 16 out (5 left)11
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