2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

wit40iwtwan

PollyWollyDoodle said:

I’m intrigued by the two-at once socks, more info please @wit40iwtwan.  

I know there’s a description in War and Peace of the elderly aunt who used to knit two socks one inside the other, I’ve never been able to get my head round that!  

I clearly did not see this and as I have been good with my coupons, only came on today to say I had bought myself new slippers and a swimsuit then saw this!

OK two at once socks are done a variety of ways, either on a long circular using magic loop which is what I learnt all that time back - it is slow going and I did put the socks down to focus on other knits... I have it in my head that I can use 3 short circulars instead that will save me having to fiddle around with the ends... loads of youtube videos but I recommend going to a class to get your head around the concept first which is what I did...

wit40iwtwan

I need to update - since starting the fashion on a ration, I have spent a total of 9 coupons...

11/02 - yarn (while learning the two at a time socks) - 1 coupon
18/02 - pair of slippers (identical to what I own) as they were on sale and I love them so wanted a pair spare for when these finally give up the ghost! - 5 coupons
18/02 - Swimsuit - was on offer today and it has been in my wishlist for ages... 3 coupons

MrsCD

6 coupons used on a pair of lined trousers in the sale from Craghoppers. Hubby can use his own coupons for his trousers! 😉

Sarahspangles

The Big One - 14 coupons used against ‘ Lined mackintoshes or coats over 28” in length’. It’s a waterproof mac with a ‘tin cloth’ outer and cotton poplin lining. I think this may be the only mac I’ve ever owned, unless you count hiking jackets.

Although it’s forecast to be cold tonight, we’ve replaced the warm Winter brushed cotton duvet cover with the Spring one, because it’s allegedly going to warm up within 24 hours

kiwisavings

First coupons spent for this challenge this week for a pair of linen trousers.
I originally also bought a pair of sage green jeans but when I got them home they seemed a bit drab in the real light and I returned them - this challenge definitely makes sure that you really love the things that you buy 

I have a question around the number of coupons required for the linen trousers. From the first page of this forum, I see that men's trousers are:
- 8 points (I'm assuming they would be made from wool)
- 5 points if they are made from corduroy or fustian.
I looked up what fustian fabric is and it appears to be heavy-ish weight cotton and/or linen fabric.
So would 5 coupons make sense here instead of the 6 coupons for overalls/dungarees? 

PipneyJane

kiwisavings said:

First coupons spent for this challenge this week for a pair of linen trousers.
I originally also bought a pair of sage green jeans but when I got them home they seemed a bit drab in the real light and I returned them - this challenge definitely makes sure that you really love the things that you buy 

I have a question around the number of coupons required for the linen trousers. From the first page of this forum, I see that men's trousers are:
- 8 points (I'm assuming they would be made from wool)
- 5 points if they are made from corduroy or fustian.
I looked up what fustian fabric is and it appears to be heavy-ish weight cotton and/or linen fabric.
So would 5 coupons make sense here instead of the 6 coupons for overalls/dungarees? 

Hmm... Good questions @kiwisavings. 

In 1942, the female equivalent of a pair of trousers, would have been a divided skirt, which comes in at 7 coupons.    What do others think?  Should we have Ladies woollen slacks/trousers at 7 coupons and non-woollen at 5?  Do we keep Jeans at 6 coupons?

- Pip (I have no recollection what I've done in the past and can't find the record.  I think I logged trousers at 6 coupons.)

Baileys_Babe

PipneyJane said:

kiwisavings said:

First coupons spent for this challenge this week for a pair of linen trousers.
I originally also bought a pair of sage green jeans but when I got them home they seemed a bit drab in the real light and I returned them - this challenge definitely makes sure that you really love the things that you buy 

I have a question around the number of coupons required for the linen trousers. From the first page of this forum, I see that men's trousers are:
- 8 points (I'm assuming they would be made from wool)
- 5 points if they are made from corduroy or fustian.
I looked up what fustian fabric is and it appears to be heavy-ish weight cotton and/or linen fabric.
So would 5 coupons make sense here instead of the 6 coupons for overalls/dungarees? 

Hmm... Good questions @kiwisavings. 

In 1942, the female equivalent of a pair of trousers, would have been a divided skirt, which comes in at 7 coupons.    What do others think?  Should we have Ladies woollen slacks/trousers at 7 coupons and non-woollen at 5?  Do we keep Jeans at 6 coupons?

- Pip (I have no recollection what I've done in the past and can't find the record.  I think I logged trousers at 6 coupons.)

I'm happy with this suggestion

Sarahspangles

PipneyJane said:

kiwisavings said:

First coupons spent for this challenge this week for a pair of linen trousers.
I originally also bought a pair of sage green jeans but when I got them home they seemed a bit drab in the real light and I returned them - this challenge definitely makes sure that you really love the things that you buy 

I have a question around the number of coupons required for the linen trousers. From the first page of this forum, I see that men's trousers are:
- 8 points (I'm assuming they would be made from wool)
- 5 points if they are made from corduroy or fustian.
I looked up what fustian fabric is and it appears to be heavy-ish weight cotton and/or linen fabric.
So would 5 coupons make sense here instead of the 6 coupons for overalls/dungarees? 

Hmm... Good questions @kiwisavings. 

In 1942, the female equivalent of a pair of trousers, would have been a divided skirt, which comes in at 7 coupons.    What do others think?  Should we have Ladies woollen slacks/trousers at 7 coupons and non-woollen at 5?  Do we keep Jeans at 6 coupons?

- Pip (I have no recollection what I've done in the past and can't find the record.  I think I logged trousers at 6 coupons.)

As it’s about the amount of fabric, that sounds right. But I’m not sure what you do about jeggings!

Cherryfudge

PipneyJane said:

In 1942, the female equivalent of a pair of trousers, would have been a divided skirt, which comes in at 7 coupons.    What do others think?  Should we have Ladies woollen slacks/trousers at 7 coupons and non-woollen at 5?  Do we keep Jeans at 6 coupons?

- Pip (I have no recollection what I've done in the past and can't find the record.  I think I logged trousers at 6 coupons.)

I seem to remember that at some point there was a discussion on relative coupon values of yarn, where originally we had non-wool for a lower coupon rate than actual wool, but then that got altered (from memory) as we had a discussion on environmental impact and decided to 'tax' artificial yarn more highly on the grounds that at present the battle is against environmental damage. I may have that mixed up, but on that premise, there's a whole argument about the balance of environmental impact vs amount of skill and fabric in the product. Obviously less work goes into something basic than into something tailored with lining and pockets, but the latter might last longer and have more degradable content.

I am pretty sure we had the discussion on jeans but I didn't take it in as I don't know when I last bought new jeans, but own lots of 'pre-loved'. They are cotton (which degrades but takes a lot of water to produce) but most have other fibres so after two years in the compost bin would come out as a recognisable ghost of their former selves, as happened to a sock that mysteriously emerged from our compost once. So in some ways a high cost, some of which is 'paid back' as it can be reintegrated into the wider environment without leaving traces.

This is doing my head in: if you see me wandering wrapped in a pure wool Witney blanket and not much else, you will be able to guess why.

ETA: this was a discussion we had about yarn... it soon went down an interesting rabbit hole on spinning cat hair!

kiwisavings

PipneyJane said:

In 1942, the female equivalent of a pair of trousers, would have been a divided skirt, which comes in at 7 coupons.    What do others think?  Should we have Ladies woollen slacks/trousers at 7 coupons and non-woollen at 5?  Do we keep Jeans at 6 coupons?

I'm also happy with this about the trousers that are made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen (every coupon counts!).
It makes sense that jeans with stretch due to some elastane/lycra would stay at 6 due to the non biodegradeable-ness of the fabric.