2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PollyWollyDoodle

Actually only about 12% of the population (men) were in the armed forces. So there were lots of people in reserved occupations, too old, not fit for active service and so on, who didn’t wear uniforms, and many more women.  

I imagine that most people had a ‘good’ coat in the cupboard that they made last for as long as they could. 

PipneyJane

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Actually only about 12% of the population (men) were in the armed forces. So there were lots of people in reserved occupations, too old, not fit for active service and so on, who didn’t wear uniforms, and many more women.  

I imagine that most people had a ‘good’ coat in the cupboard that they made last for as long as they could. 

Don't forget the effect of WW1, which left Britain with one million more women than men.  (Miss Marple wasn't gay; her sweetheart probably died on the killing fields of Northern France/Belgium.)

- Pip

Laura_Elsewhere

Uniform was issued to civilians as well as military- all the women in the WRVS had hats and coats issued, and I believe some had skirts and jackets too; and the link posted the other day specifically mentioned the Home Guard being issued with greatcoats. Heavy Rescue were issued with uniforms too, and a host of other groups.

As for the rest, well yes, make do and mend. But given that a normal reasonable-quality men’s overcoat would be expected to last twenty or more years and THEN go on to be second-hand, I think we probably nowadays really don’t understand the second-hand clothing situation then…

and it was TWO million, the ‘surplus women’ after the Great War. 

PipneyJane

Laura_Elsewhere said:

Uniform was issued to civilians as well as military- all the women in the WRVS had hats and coats issued, and I believe some had skirts and jackets too; and the link posted the other day specifically mentioned the Home Guard being issued with greatcoats. Heavy Rescue were issued with uniforms too, and a host of other groups.

As for the rest, well yes, make do and mend. But given that a normal reasonable-quality men’s overcoat would be expected to last twenty or more years and THEN go on to be second-hand, I think we probably nowadays really don’t understand the second-hand clothing situation then…

and it was TWO million, the ‘surplus women’ after the Great War. 

Gulp!  Two million "surplus women".  Poor things.

- Pip

weenancyinAmerica

About fifteen years ago, a friend and I were visiting in Washington DC and went to visit the Vietnam Memorial. As we were standing there, she turned and asked "Which one would have been your husband?". Same problem, different war.

PipneyJane

weenancyinAmerica said:

About fifteen years ago, a friend and I were visiting in Washington DC and went to visit the Vietnam Memorial. As we were standing there, she turned and asked "Which one would have been your husband?". Same problem, different war.

Big hugs to you @weenancyinAmerica . 

- Pip

CapricornLass

Laura_lau, is it worth contacting the baby''s mother (sorry, not quite sure if she is the cousin or not) and ask for some idea of the baby's head size?  I appreciate it won't be a surprise, but at least the baby should be able to wear it next winter!

Baileys_Babe

@laura_lau your presents sound lovely.

In theory toddler size should be fine but my eldest whose head didn't look huge needed hats for 9 year old when they were only 2! Now they are an adult they still struggle to find hats and sunglasses that are large enough.

laura_lau

@CapricornLass and @Baileys_Babe thank you, those are very good points. I'll see if I can get that info from her, I don't have her number as we've met only once, I'll ask OH today. 

Nelliegrace

From The Times 6th, March 1941.


The exercise classes are going to be started again. Do we all join in with the 7.30 a.m. exercises on the wireless, and sit with pencil poised to take down the frugal rations recipes at 8.15 a.m.? There is something new this week, the 9 p.m. chime of Big Ben, with a minute for everyone to pause and reflect, before the News.