2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Nelliegrace

We are both trying not to buy any new clothes or shoes and I have used 20 coupons already, @kiwisavings. We have more than enough clothes, buying more in the sales had become a bad habit, and I want to save coupons for my growing grandsons. (The warm socks are put away for my daughter for Christmas.)

I am not counting DH’s coupons, but a new synthetic fabric shirt to support a football team seems totally unnecessary. His friends are showing off their new shirts. What Squanderbugs! A good vintage one, without adverts, would last for ever. He has had to return his uniform for volunteers, he got very cold and tired with the extra hours. 

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, coupons to declare 😁. 2 pairs of summer weight trousers bought yesterday from morries while doing the sm shop. I have tried them on this morning and despite being a size smaller than the ones I ripped they fit 😁. Not necessarily a need for both but I couldn't choose between them 😁, so 12 coupons spent. 93.5 - 12 = 81.5 remaining.

@Nelliegrace your finds are amazing 😁. Despite scouring the bay of e I never see anything as good as what you seem to find 😁 

Take care everyone

ETA @Nelliegrace I know what you mean about football shirts, despite my support I don't buy them. The fabric is horrible and you are right a vintage one would not only last longer but also be nicer to wear. Considering some of the ones sold in the shop are retro designs I would be very happy to wear a vintage one and I bet with your hunting down of bargains skills you could probably find one for half the price 😁 .

Nelliegrace

Thank you @Liverpool_Anne, too much time on my hands! I save a search and check it for new items regularly. My daughter gave me challenges too, things the boys needed and wanted especially during quarantine. 
This week I found a photograph of my eldest sister, aged about six, in a group of Brownies, on a local history website for the village where we used to live.

Cherryfudge

@Nelliegrace, remember clothes for very young children are coupon-free, so if they are under four years, you won't be charged for treating them. Of course they don't stay that age and at school age they can still grow fast.

Nelliegrace

Alas, @Cherryfudge, they are 10 and 13 and growing like runner beans. It must be difficult to wake up taller, and with bigger feet, every day.

We are a tall family. My daughter grew out of her first school uniform coat in six months. I bought a larger size and turned up the sleeves to the elbow, the hem reached her ankles. The headmistress said that she should tell Mummy it was too big, but she replied, that she kept on growing, and no more was said.

My mother in law used to give shoe money at Christmas for her great grandchildren instead of presents, when she was too old to shop. They did not need any more toys. It was so sensible. She was from a large family, a child in the 1930s Depression and a mother in the 1940s and 50s Austerity, when she caught TB, and was in a sanitorium. We continue it in memory of her. 

Cherryfudge

Nelliegrace said:

It must be difficult to wake up taller, and with bigger feet, every day.

I love this. Still waiting for it to happen to me. But yes, quite an issue when you have to clothe them!

PipneyJane

kiwisavings said:

Hi @Nelliegrace,

I was wondering if you could get away with 2 coupons per pair of underwear as per the "Assumptions for the Challenge" on page one of the Fashion on the Ration Forum.  

@Nelliegrace, I second what @kiwisavings said.  Yes, I know, you want to not buy stuff for yourself or your DH, but please record your underwear purchase as 10 coupons and keep the 5 coupons saved for spending on your grandsons.

- Pip

Gem-gem

Another set of coupons to declare. 

Ordered four pairs of sandals, bought one pair - they were reduced by 40%. Took three pairs back to the shop and walked out with another pair. Sadly not discounted but about half the price of sandals that I usually buy. 

10 coupons spent. 
59.5 coupons used!
6.5 coupons left. That should be enough for a pair of jeans. 

Xxx one of the dresses that I bought last week my DM has paid for - for my birthday. DM only needs new bras this year as she had SO many clothes already. This means that the dress can come out of her coupons 😀. 

11 coupons returned. 

48.5 coupons used.
17.5 coupons left. 

Hope that is okay. 

Gem-gem

I have been finishing off one of DM sewing projects. Coin purse making. I have  finished one that she started and made one of my own so far from scratch. 

More pictures and instruction on the Frugal Living forum, if anyone is interested. 

kiwisavings

Lovely coin purses @Gem-gem,
I've checked out the Frugal Living Forum - some great ideas there, thanks for the heads up