we all reuse

Before the modern era, frugality was a way of life. A quality ladies dress might be passed on to several people and altered by each before being pulled apart and the pieces used for underwear or craft work.

With the advent of machine loomed cloth and mass production, garments became much cheaper, and updating your style with the fashions became available to all, not just the noble or creative.

During the second world war it was realised that this modishness was a waste of resources that could otherwise be better directed to the war effort.

Clothes rationing began on the 1st of June 1941. Everyone was allowed 66 clothing coupons a year, which more or less added up to one complete outfit.

Ready to wear clothes were designed to use as little material as possible. On a mans suit you could have three pockets only, no turn ups, three buttons and a maximum trouser length of 48 cm.

For a woman's dress, there were no fancy belts or flounces and no elastic waist bands or gathered skirts.

Garments and dress patterns that that were particularly clever in their cut or made for very durable materials were given the CC41 utility mark. Many of these garments survive to this day.

Women were also encouraged to repair and remake their family's old clothes. Make do and mend became the byword of the day.

Pillowcases were made into baby clothes, father's old trousers might become a skirt for his daughter, and old parachute silk was much prized for making blouses and nightdresses. Unwanted jumpers were unravelled and knitted into something else. Old curtains were cut up to make skirts and dresses.

With the environment under threat from overexploitation of resources and climate change, and good quality garments becoming more and more expensive, perhaps we should listen to our grandparents again..