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Wartime Wardrobe Challenge: what do you think of this?

Diana

Veteran

I will not be doing this, but it is an interesting concept. Basically, you limit your shopping for the year to the limits imposed by the British wartime rationing system in the early 1940s. The amount of "coupons" each type of item costs is dependent on the amount of fabric it contains. The modern version also takes into account how sustainable a fabric is. Because this is about sustainability, secondhand items do not count toward the total.

Curious to know what you all think.

First read about it on Franca's blog:
http://www.oranges-and-apples......lenge.html

The challenge guidelines (there is a link to the file with the point values at the bottom):
http://thedoublelifeofmrsm.wor.....lorations/

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Molly L-R

transition

Any of the last four years, no problem! But I've overspent my allotment in the past four weeks just getting ready for business trip where suits are required, and the second-hand variety I already owned wouldn't be sufficient.

Kristin L

Veteran

I think it's a great concept, but I have to disagree on some of the "lower impact" fabrics. While bamboo is very cheap to grow, it can also be come an invasive plant which can cause many more problems. Plus, the chemical processes to make the bamboo into cloth can be pretty nasty.

I see it as similar to 12x12, but I think I like 12x12 better. Plus, it seems a lot easier to use.

Anonymous

Interesting idea. It wouldn't limit my spending much if second hand is coupon free. Having to make a charitable donation for over spending is a cool idea.

Sarah A

Veteran

I think it is a fun way to structure a wardrobe based challenge. I will probably spend a bit more time looking at it later when I have a minute. Thanks for sharing

Seeing as the rationing prompted me to think of it, I always remember my Grandmother talking about how one of her friend's brothers was a paratrooper during the War (that would be WWII) and how said friend used the yards and yards of parachute silk to sew and amazing wedding gown that just kept getting tailored over and over for about a dozen friends. DH found this "trash the dress" (referring to wedding dress) photography the other day and all i could think was how different our outlook on sustainability has become as a country at large.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea but get lost in the convoluted details. Guess I have no real patience ha! I prefer the simplicity of 12 items for the year, which I am trying for 2013.

rachylou

Veteran

That's interesting. I suspect it would yield a rather practical wartime aesthetic. Your daily jumper, skirt, blouse. Your Sunday outfit. Your dress up dress. Your one coat. I'd probably have to put a lot of coupons into shoes, since I walk/stand so much.

Makrame

Veteran

Having gone through a period of rationing (coupons for socks, soap, sugar, flour), I would much rather not have to do anything like that again.

Diana

Veteran

I'm enjoying reading what you all have to say about this!

Kristin, I agree that distinguishing between "low impact" and "high impact" fibers is a whole big can of worms.

Sarah, that is so cool about the parachute wedding dress!

Rachy, yes, that was my thought also. Everything would have to be really practical, no room for frivolity. I guess in wartime England it was probably easier since there would not have been as much variety to choose from. I am curious to see how the bloggers who are participating in this challenge will interpret it.

Makrame, you make a great point. I suspect that this kind of thing only appeals to people who have not had to experience it in its original, serious, form. (Reminds me of how my friend's father, who grew up in a communist country, laughed at her when she was excited to go apple picking, "Ha! You pay for the "privilege" of going to pick fruit? When I was a kid, they forced us to do that every summer!")

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like that it makes us think about how many of our parents or grandparents lived. It reminds us what a privilege we really have, with our beautiful clothes and relatively larger wardrobes (even those of us who has smallish wardrobes). And I like the focus on sustainabililty.

Agnes

The challenge looks really interesting. There is a really good book written by India Flint called 'Second Skin', that goes into amazing detail about how fabrics are made, and what happens to them in the long run. After reading it I felt much more capable of deciding which fabrics I want to wear. I never liked viscose/rayon anyway [it always shrinks!], but now I also know how its made I won't be buying it at all.

jayne

Veteran

this was interesting, made to make us think about the sustainability of what we purchase. I considered the 12 by 12 but find it too limiting. This appeals in some ways because it lets me buy more than 12 depending on what the item is. On the other hand, if I just try to stay in my budget, that is limiting in the same way. But it also make me want to spend less per item to get more. So the coupon removes that restriction. Guess I am to wishy washy on what I want to achieve by a challenge like this. What would you want to achieve?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

This is really interesting. It is inspiring but I don't think I will follow it this year. I agree with others that a simpler way to pursue this is to go 12 in 12.

I am more interested in finding small or even larger producers that have ethical production and business standards. Especially ones that source fabric/sew/produce in places like the US or Europe where there are strong labor practices. These items cost more I know. But if you buy better and fewer things, those things will have more value when you pass them on as well.

Molly L-R

This is really interesting - it appealed to me a lot at first as my fiance and I are really into the 1940's and often go along to WWII events dressed in vintage clothes. Plus, out of the five items I've bought so far this year, four have been second hand. However, looking at the small print, I don't think it's viable. All my bras are shot to pieces at the moment and really need to be replaced as a priority and I could do with another couple of pair of knickers. As I wouldn't be buying stuff made out of organic cotton or hemp(!) that's (5+2)*3 = 21 coupons already, nearly a third of the ration. As I see underwear purchases as necessities rather than actually counting towards my wardrobe total, I'd feel kind of put out.

Think I'll stick to my original plan for the year, which is to make 50% or more of my purchases second hand. Still, kudos to all who attempt this!

Molly L-R

Actually, no, it's 4 coupons for non-sustainable fabrics. 28 coupons taken up with essential underwear purchases - no thanks! But it gives one a certain respect for the women in wartime who actually had to go through this.