Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without

I am back from my blogging hiatus. Another semester over, a sister returned from her mission, and a wonderful Christmas. Hopefully I'll get around to writing about those soon. For now here are some other thoughts.

I've decided to adopt the WWII motto of "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."  Since I live at home and don't pay for rent or much food, it will it mainly apply to clothing - one of my weaknesses.  It is a rather unfortunate side affect of studying costume design that my affinity for good clothing just keeps growing.  I'm much more particular than I used to be about cut, fabric and fit and that leads to pricy clothing.  Although I always shop for very good sales, I still have a closet full of lovely clothes and I hardly need any more (though I always seem to convince myself I do need more).

 

I've been thinking about how I need to apply this motto for a while now and now with a new year and a new semester, it seems like a wonderful time for new beginnings.  I suppose it also helps that I just got some awesome gifts for my birthday and Christmas.  So I've got some nice things to start out the year and here goes a new year of frugality and simpleness.

In my Historic Costume class this last semester we learned about how the rations on clothing affected people.  Many more ladies learned how to sew so they could make cheaper clothing and refashion old pieces of clothing until they wore completely out.  There were even patterns that came out  that showed how to lay the pattern pieces on a men's suit to make other clothing (those poor soldiers returned to their suits all cut up).  Those ladies sure learned how to be frugal.  Luckily I know how to sew!  That, I think, will help me in my journey to frugality.

If you've ever seen the movie Penelope, the title character has gorgeous costumes.  They look like they've been decorated at home with ribbons and buttons and things.

I love the look of her costumes, especially the one above, AND I have lots of ribbon, fabric scraps and buttons so I can use these to refashion my wardrobe.  I can alter things and decorate them to my hearts content.  I have worried about the time it will take, but I'm thinking a few additions or alterations can't take much longer than shopping.  It is definitely worth a try!

So her you are, dear readers, I am putting one of my New Year Resolutions out there so I will be accountable.  I will use up what I have till the very end and wear things out or turn them into something new until it wears out, or else I will go without.  Of course, I'm not completely banning shopping, but I am going to be A LOT more careful.

Hope you had a great Christmas!