2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

Nelliegrace said:

Chiropodist appointment asap, high risk of giving himself an infection, @PipneyJane. It works for DH, who kept complaining that his feet hurt. It saves a lot of frustration, and money spent on socks and sheets. 

Yep, seconding this, @PipneyJane! 

And then make a spray bottle of glycerine & rosewater (or just water if he prefers) and make him spray each foot daily. Easiest way to hydrate skin without having to actually do anything much. 

PipneyJane

Laura_Elsewhere said:

Nelliegrace said:

Chiropodist appointment asap, high risk of giving himself an infection, @PipneyJane. It works for DH, who kept complaining that his feet hurt. It saves a lot of frustration, and money spent on socks and sheets. 

Yep, seconding this, @PipneyJane! 

And then make a spray bottle of glycerine & rosewater (or just water if he prefers) and make him spray each foot daily. Easiest way to hydrate skin without having to actually do anything much. 

I agree with you both, @Laura_Elsewhere and @Nelliegrace. I will suggest a chiropody visit to him, however, I expect to be outvoted. 

Now that the seasons have (finally) changed, has anyone got any wardrobe ambitions?  I will continue to look for a navy-blue, double-breasted, pure wool suit, but expect that I will need to spend my remaining 2025 coupons on replacing some ancient t-shirts.

- Pip

diminua

@PipneyJane. I don't think I have any clothes I want this year - which is just as well as I'm couponless. I still can't find plain trousers as nice as the ones I have - even though they are a size too large for me - so that's on hold. I will need new shoes for work come spring - the ones I have are 2 years old, on their second set of insoles, and perfectly ok in general, but too tatty for work (I'll be in boots now until then).
Probably plain black rather than olive green again. Tempted to go for patent leather, but we'll see.

I'm also planning to get some blue or green pyjama bottoms (I have strap tops in grey and blue) and some underwear asap, so may be one of those people who do the January sales next year, if January sales are still a thing. 

Diane1276

diminua said:

@PipneyJane. I don't think I have any clothes I want this year - which is just as well as I'm couponless. I still can't find plain trousers as nice as the ones I have - even though they are a size too large for me - so that's on hold. I will need new shoes for work come spring - the ones I have are 2 years old, on their second set of insoles, and perfectly ok in general, but too tatty for work (I'll be in boots now until then).
Probably plain black rather than olive green again. Tempted to go for patent leather, but we'll see.

I'm also planning to get some blue or green pyjama bottoms (I have strap tops in grey and blue) and some underwear asap, so may be one of those people who do the January sales next year, if January sales are still a thing. 

I've always found pre-christmas special offers to be better for pyjamas than the sales, unless you want a festive print! Do you sew? Pyjama bottoms are one of the easiest dressmaking projects if you do!

Diane1276

I have lost track and gone over my rations, most definitely, but will be starting anew in January.

I'm in the middle of a big ongoing "where is Stacey Solomon when you need her" declutter. I've so far tackled the bookshelves and "miscellaneous", and the next thing on the list is my wardrobe. My style has changed over the years but I still buy things in my old style and find it hard to part with them. 

I'm gradually coming around to the idea that I don't need outfits for every eventuality and that there's nothing wrong with wearing the same styles all the time! I'd never judge anyone else for these things, quite the opposite, I admire people with a strong personal style, but I've very harsh on myself!!!

I have just invested in a new winter jumper - wool, in a style and colour I love and is very me, and I plan to make it last.

Diane1276

In other news, I've dug out a quilt I made as a student in the 90s, which has an ancient wool blanket as wadding and will be lovely and warm. It's in need of some serious TLC as it wasn't particularly well made to start with and has lived through student life! 
Repairing with vintage threads, including the ones in the foreground which were inherited in that multi-wound state from a great-aunt. I love how she's meticulously saved the last bits from other bobbins by winding them onto a spare bobbin. I'm looking forward to seeing what colours are hiding underneath!h

CapricornLass

What I would really really like is a pair of warm thermal leggings with stirrups.

I have a pair from M&S which are donkeys years old, which I use round the house and garden.  They are corded and the knees are showing signs of wear, and the tummy panel wont remain stitched down, but they are so useful, and incredibly warm.  I don't expect I shall ever find anything suitable that will replace them - but I live in hope!

Cherryfudge

@Diane1276, there's a lot of work in that there quilt! Well done! I know there's some stitching to repair, but how snug will you be. sewing away with that draped over your knees.

PipneyJane said:

Now that the seasons have (finally) changed, has anyone got any wardrobe ambitions?  I will continue to look for a navy-blue, double-breasted, pure wool suit, but expect that I will need to spend my remaining 2025 coupons on replacing some ancient t-shirts.

- Pip

I confess I've recently discovered Vinted, in an effort to find an outfit for a wedding. Three jackets later, and I'm going to use a wrap I already own. I have, however, bought court shoes, tights, shoes-I-can-dance-in and a bag. Then I succumbed to a dress I liked but which is a poor fit, and some wonderful trousers (summer weight). All second hand though the tights were still in the packet. There were also two charity shop dresses which I may already have mentioned: one is casual and I've worn it already which, considering this is me and a dress and it's not summer, is a compliment to the dress. The other is the one for the wedding, seeing as the one I'd planned to wear turned out to be the colour of the bridal party and would have contravened the polite request not to wear certain colours.

So now I have a few items to donate or sell, but my coupons remain at whatever level they were in a few weeks ago.

As to items I'm planning to get - some leggings to go with things I already have. Possibly another winter coat if I happen across one that really works for me on Vinted, but the one I bought a few years ago is still pretty good. Also some waterproof footwear and a replacement pair of everyday trainers. I may think of more...

PipneyJane

@Diana1276 I am thoroughly impressed by your quilt.  You put a lot of work into it and it must be so cozy!

@CapricornLass, unfortunately “stirrup pants” are one look that hasn’t come back - yet - from the 1980’s.  If I see any, I’ll let you know.  You have got me wondering what happened to the pair I bought from Country Road back then, (navy blue, fitted and mainly wool).  I loved them.  Hmm…I wonder if they're in the basket at the bottom of the wardrobe….

- Pip

thriftmonster

@Diane1276 the quilt is lovely

I have completely blown my coupons this year but will be back in January. Trying to only replace items with things I make myself (at least as much as I can -the engineering required in my bras may not be replicable  )