Fashion on the Ration update: navy and red for spring
One of my goals for Fashion on the Ration is to stay within my allotted 66 coupons, true… but the other goal is to Up My Game: that is, to put more effort into looking good lest I be sucked into the London Fashion Vortex. Which I can’t do unless I buy at least some new clothes. Right?
Various readers have offered various tips to help me look smart on the ration. Melissa of Fehr Trade documented everything she wore for a month in order to see what garments she really ended up reaching for every morning. Other readers have suggested trying-on expeditions to the shops to discover what suits me. (This works great, although it requires serious discipline.) And several people suggested reading Dariaux’s Guide to Elegance, which, although dated in places, has many invaluable tips, such as not underestimating the importance of accessories, calculating the true cost of a garment by considering how often you wear it and using color intelligently to maximize wardrobe possibilities.
I have yet to catalogue my wardrobe, but a cautious color scheme for the season seems to have presented itself: navy, white and red. Is that staid? I’m thinking it doesn’t have to be.
They’re not necessarily my favorite colors, but personal choice is restricted by what’s available, and the question of fabric selection aside, UK high-street color palettes are particularly dire this year. (Royal blue and coral? Seriously?)
So. Purchases made for spring:
- Cherry-red 1940s heels from Fraulein Marlene on Etsy. Pros: These fit beautifully, go with much of my vintage and modern wardrobe and fill the gap labeled “reasonably comfortable high-heeled summer shoe”. Cons: They cut my feet up eventually if I don’t wear stockings and dye my stockings red if I do. Verdict: Not perfect, but what women’s shoe is? Worth the points. Coupons spent: 5.
- Navy blue cotton pique from Fashion Fabrics Club. I’m using this to make up the 1940s Bestway dress I’m entering in the Pattern Review vintage sewing contest. But whoa! I didn’t realize before I purchased that the pattern yardage given on the envelope was for fabric only 36″ or so wide, while the fabric on the website was 60″ wide… meaning that I way overbought. Pros: Now I have enough to make a blouse, too. Cons: I’m not sure that’s what I wanted. Verdict: There’s no point crying over cut yardage. Coupons spent: 9.
Coupons spent: 14
Coupons left: 47
woah! great shoes
OMG they are nice shoes. I wish my massive feet weren’t so massive and I could find vintage shoes that fit. I love your colour scheme and can’t wait to see that dress. You could totally make a cute blouse with some awesome contrast buttons or something with the rest of that navy fabric. xxx
I may crib some ideas from your Me-Made blouses — you’ve got the nautical theme nailed!
Lol! Yes, navy, white and red is an old favorite, but that’s because it always works without ever being boring. At least I hope so, since I’d have a very hard time putting together an outfit without at least two of those colours… Like you I work in an enviroment where a bright yellow dress just isn’t an option, and I’ve found these colours to work both for me and for the workplace.
Oh, also: looove the shoes! Absoloutley adorable!
Aw, I like coral and royal blue, though maybe a slightly lighter coral and a slightly darker blue than the link you gave.
Thanks for passing on the clever tips, and well done on both these purchases, a second hand item and a crafty one – you are doing well on your “green” points too!
coral and royal, maybe not; but peach and navy is a sophisticated and girlish alternative. Good luck on the dress!