2018 Fashion on the Ration challenge
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PipneyJane
Forumite 2K posts
Based on the original 1941 Clothing Rations, I've decided to a "Fashion on the Ration" challenge for 2018. Since I already have an overflowing wardrobe and a yarn stash approaching SABLE*, my aim is to shop more thoughtfully. Any money saved will be a bonus. Would you like to join me?
The original ration was 66 coupons. Items of clothing had the following coupon cost:
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
2 ounces of wool knitting yarn – 1 coupon
Assumptions for the challenge:-
Beyond trying to find a trench coat with a warm, detachable lining to replace my almost warn out one, I don't have any clothes-purchasing plans for 2018. (14 Coupons) My quest for the coat may take a while, since I want one where the detachable lining includes sleeves. I have been looking since September.
Care to join me?
- Pip
*SABLE=Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy
The original ration was 66 coupons. Items of clothing had the following coupon cost:
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
2 ounces of wool knitting yarn – 1 coupon
Assumptions for the challenge:-
- 1 metre of fabric equals 1 yard. No penalty for width.
- 2 ounces of wool knitting yarn equals 50g of any knitting yarn containing natural fibres. Note: according to a display I once saw at the Imperial War Museum, there was a different coupon cost for man-made fibre, but I've never found out what so let's assume acrylic is half the coupon cost of wool.
- Based on the quantity of fabric and work involved, a "corset" is the equivalent of two bras.
- Ditto one pair of Cami-knickers would equal two pairs of modern bikini-style knickers or thongs.
- 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
- 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.
Beyond trying to find a trench coat with a warm, detachable lining to replace my almost warn out one, I don't have any clothes-purchasing plans for 2018. (14 Coupons) My quest for the coat may take a while, since I want one where the detachable lining includes sleeves. I have been looking since September.
Care to join me?
- Pip
*SABLE=Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy
"Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.' " 
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 33/66 coupons spent
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 33/66 coupons spent
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Replies
As a last resort, yes. Thank you for thinking of it. I suppose I could always utilise my current coat's lining as a template for the sleeves, once I find a decent trench coat. (I have found one, so far, that had a detachable lining but no sleeves. It was also really poor quality manufacture - the button holes were just cut not edged.)
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 33/66 coupons spent
Yes, of course. Are you another Knitter? I've done Fashion On the Ration before and found not buying yarn the hardest part. A couple of years ago, I blew almost all my "coupons" at the Knit & Stitch Show.
- Pip
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 33/66 coupons spent
I am a knitter and Ally pally is my down fall. In the past I sewed quite a lot not so much now. So both Ally Pally and Olympia were my down fall. Also there is a very good fabric shop in Weymouth called So and Sews, its the type of shop that if it does'nt sell it then it's not made and I can quite easily spend a small fortune in there.
What really struck me were the news reel films of the time. In spite of rationing everyone looked so smart. It was a shock to come out and see people wandering around in jogging pants and baggy T shirts.
I saw that exhibition when it was in London. Some of the clothes were lovely - I remember a pinstriped suit made out of a refashioned man’s suit. Beautifully cut! I’d wear it now. There was a big push to look smart during the War, because it was perceived as morale boosting.
Refashioning something you already own doesn’t count. Ditto something that you purchased at a charity shop - by definition second hand - to refurbish. Buying something new and then upscaling it costs the coupons of whatever it was at purchase. To give you a real life example: during the War, my mum desperately needed a warm dressing gown. Rather than spend valuable coupons on “dress fabric” or on buying one new, she made one out of a new blanket which cost far fewer coupons.
- Pip
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 33/66 coupons spent
I think I will attempt the challenge.
My major downfall on clothing buying is tops. I wear reasonably cheap fitted tshirts, and have a tendency to spill down them
Does anyone have any tips for getting food stains out, especially ones that have already remained after washing and drying?
Now my winter coat is three years old and has quite wide sleeves which is great as I can get my wonky arm through them, and I would love to buy a new coat, but as yet can't find one which would fit so I have to wear what i have and hope it doesn't fall to bits
All of my tops have short sleeves which is OK but can be a bit nippy at time Normally I have to buy stuff two sizes bigger to accommodate my arm Grr So not buying stuff this year will be a bit like the past couple of years .Apart from underwear I rarely buy much at all