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During the Second World War clothes were rationed as there was a shortage of material, so you had to collect enough coupons to be able to 'buy' certain items, for example a pair of men's trousers was worth 6 coupons, a ladies blouse, jumper or cardigan was worth 5 coupons and a child's woollen dress would have 'cost' 8 coupons (or 5 if made from another material).
Each person was allocated 60 coupons a year, although this was reduced to 48.

People were otherwise encouraged to 'Make do and Mend'. In other words, to mend any holes in their old clothes or perhaps alter them to make a different item of clothing.