To think so many middle-class clothes are ugly?

[RoyalFamilyFan]

I admit I am hardly a style guru. But when I joined Mumsnet people talked about lots of companies I had never heard of like Toast. So I followed links of clothes posted and looked at the websites mentioned. And was shocked at how ugly so much of the clothing was.
Shapeless grey dresses. Black loose trousers teamed with black tunics which make the model look like she is a member of a cult. Shapeless brown t-shirts.
They are just so ugly. AIBU?

@MmeD

Does anyone have any opinions on Cabbages and Roses?

www.cabbagesandroses.com

Not my style, but they look interesting rather than grey shapeless sacks.

Also I don’t dress aspirationally. I dress in ways that I feel comfortable with, which are closely related to the class I belong to. It’s authentic to me and I don’t need to work at it.

@RoyalFamilyFan

People keep asking what I like. I cant imagine I would go somewhere where I would ever wear this, but I like this.

That's not working class aesthetic though, it's just... Very individual style hideous

This thread has set me thinking, and the stand out coolest mum at the school wears huge wide leg calf length cord trousers, DMs, a lumberjack jacket that looks at least 3 sizes too big, and a beanie. If I wore that I'd look like Worzel Gummidge's grandad. She looks gorgeous. I can't even explain why. I guess there are people put there who look good in anything! Perhaps they are Toast's target market

Oh I love Joules (although I agree with PP the obvious plastering of the name is annoying) Love Boden too but more for kids than myself

Never in a million years considered myself middle class. I live in Sunderland

MmeD Not keen on their curated looks but like the shapes. Wouldn't wear red trousers/skirt or a red beret but I like the layering. Would never pay their prices though.

@MmeD

Does anyone have any opinions on Cabbages and Roses?

www.cabbagesandroses.com

Oh good grief, that's hideous. It's like the target dress look, but actually charging hundreds of pounds for it.

I really don't see the point of buying expensive clothes if they're not flattering. If I spend more money on clothes, I expect them to fit better. If I want something unflattering I can just go to Primark, otherwise what's the point?

@OhWhyNot I was into it about 20 years ago when it was more a scruffy young thing to wear. But just cheap jeans or leggings and dresses, so I am sure not doing it "right".

@Isababybel

Yanbu Who would wear this: www.toa.st/products/swingy-denim-dress-indigo?gclid=CjwKCAiA5t-OBhByEiwAhR-hm9Z9CnmiBr1nrrS2MNp-kyYcULaAk0CASlJi0O8xpLPAXyBV7NlIZhoC7J4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds An art teacher??

Given that that dress is sold out in the larger sizes, I think the answer to ' 'who would wear that' is ' larger women'.

I actually quite like it, it looks really comfy and I like the colour. But it would drown me.

Margaret howell is another example www.margarethowell.co.uk/womens/shop/dresses/mhl-boiler-dress-indigo-twill-indigo

@Bitofachinwag

Getting Toast adverts now...

Me too!!

I have that toast dress you've posted a couple of times. And those Lucy and yak dungarees. Love both of them!

I have to agree with the OP on this one. I’d never heard of Toast and have just checked it out. Let’s just say I won’t be shopping there.

That said, how old are the people shopping in these types of dresses/clothes? Perhaps they’re in their 60’s or older?

[quote thepeopleversuswork]@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

Bingo. . I see you.[/quote]
I only know those two places as a visitor, I'm a Londoner by adoption myself. They did come to mind, though!

What a good thread. If everyone in the UK was ranked on their fashion knowledge, I'd probably come near the bottom, but I've still enjoyed looking at these sacks garments. Some great turns of phrase!

@SleepingStandingUp I didn't say it was any class aesthetic. But although I rarely wear them, I do actually like quirky clothes. Maybe in a different life, I would have been a fashionista.
I never criticise quirky clothes that are not my style. as I said its the shapeless grey and overgrown toddler look I don't get. I do always wonder of women wearing the overgrown toddler look simply do not want to be adults.

Cornisharchitect

I agree.
But from a marketing point of view, even if their sales are low, they are doing something right aren't they.

I mean, I have never bought an item from Toast, and probably never will (even if i found an item in a charity shop!) but I think I would spot and be able to identify a Toast item if I saw someone in the street wearing it.
And look how many posters on mumsnet have heard of Toast.

Job done.

I’m also getting Toast adverts now. Sob!

Who the hell are buying these I've-just-escaped-from-the-Duggars dresses?

@bubblesbubbles11 very true!

[quote whataboutbob]Margaret howell is another example www.margarethowell.co.uk/womens/shop/dresses/mhl-boiler-dress-indigo-twill-indigo[/quote]
Never heard of her, but you are right.

Haven’t RTFT but has anyone mentioned Hush yet? Beloved of MN and fugly, shapeless and dull colours.

It’s not that they (we) don’t care. Typically (I can’t speak for everyone, obviously) it’s that they don’t care what you (or particularly men) think. They dress to please themselves and their aesthetic which is driven by the tribe they exist within.

You (they) do care about what others think you care that they see you (they) as part of that tribe/class/crowd if you didn't you wouldn't all slavishly follow the uniform rules.

The school run dress, the school run coat, the school run shoes, etc., etc.

Given that that dress is sold out in the larger sizes, I think the answer to ' 'who would wear that' is ' larger women'.

I actually quite like it, it looks really comfy and I like the colour. But it would drown me.

That might be who is wearing it, but I don't think it's the aimed-for aesthetic. The idea of that sort of thing is that you can see that the wearer is a whispy, ethereal thing under the volume - that there are long, slender legs and delicate, slim wrists reminding you of that. It's therefore not actually nearly as forgiving a look as it first seems.

@VikVW

I have to agree with the OP on this one. I’d never heard of Toast and have just checked it out. Let’s just say I won’t be shopping there.

That said, how old are the people shopping in these types of dresses/clothes? Perhaps they’re in their 60’s or older?

The models don’t seem to be old! Lol

Hush! Now that’s a blast from the past!

Are they still around? haven’t thought about Hush since 2019!