Supplementary Clothing ration book issued by the Board of Trade. The book, with pink covers, still contains some blue clothing coupons. Throughout the war clothing and style was strictly controlled by rationing, shortages and the obligation to ‘make do and mend’. Heels higher than two inches were banned, as were turn ups on trousers. Boys had to wait until they were 12 years old before being allowed to wear long trousers.
The rationing of clothing continued until 1953. By this time all Londoners, including the wealthy, were suffering the effects of shortages. For the author George Orwell clothing rations helped to democratise society ‘If the poor are not much better dressed at least the rich are shabbier’, he noted.
