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?

I honestly believe that people buy this sort of thing because it sets them out as cultured.

Or perhaps just because they like them? Now there’s a novel idea.

One good thing about getting older is that I no longer care what people think (with the exception of work wear). Now outside of work I wear what I like, I go for comfort, though I like colours to match, I wear clothes my mum would never have dreamed of wearing at my age (66). I’ve even bought recently bought some heavy lace up boots (think skin heads circa 1969). I like to think they look a bit Edwardian with a midi dress! (?). I wear boden, M and s, Woolovers, whatever. If that makes me middle aged, frumpy whatever, who cares! My main criteria is that if my mum might have worn it then I don’t!

@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??

More to the point - who would pay £160 to wear this?

And no art teacher I've ever known would wear anything as drab and shapeless as that.

@KirstenBlest

How do I know what social class a garment is please, OP?

This is a bit of stupid comment, really.

Good post, @ShagMeRiggins. I think there’s a lot of truth in it, especially in ‘I’ve been reared or trained to think X is unattractive’. My mother never got past the ‘Could she not make a bit of an effort?’ and ‘That’s not very flattering’ — by which she meant any look that wasn’t Rose of Tralee daywear with a roll-on and heels, accessorised with a demure smile and deference to passing male authority figures. She likes a child in long socks, a nice dress and a big hair ribbon.

It has probably informed in its turn my liking for biker boots, loose asymmetric clothes and dark colours.

@GoLittleRockstar

Know what you mean. I love SadBeige on tiktok for that exact reason.

the beige and the bold

sad beige xmas clothes

cups of sadness

These are great 😂

I bloody love toast (in the sale). Quality fabric, comfy, classic. I think it’s a certain ascetic that toast sells….the wafting around a museum ascetic 😀.

I also shop at H&M etc..I love Lucy and Yak too, it’s anti male gaze fashion.

I must be getting old (or middle-class) just looked at COS website and found myself thinking “not bad” 🤣

Aw Angelina you are very sweet but trust me my arms are not so lovely anymore either! I still rock dungarees though, often with a red lip

@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??

That is seriously naff.

They seem to have a few dresses in that style.

It reminds me of the Van Trapp children wearing curtain material.....

@AngelinaFibres

This is from cabbages and roses. Looked on their website. They are VERY expensive. Lots of summer dresses that look they would be worn by the beautiful young women on the weird Mark Jacobs perfume advert where they say daisy daisy daisy over and over . I would look very very odd in all.of them.

You definitely can't wear this if you have boobs.

It gives off a Fraulein María vibe. I still like it though!

I guess it’s how you wear it OP.

Lol at middle class clothes though!!!

@WrittenInGold, I'm saying nothing.

I wear what I like and don't give a flying fig what people think.
As long as I am happy wearing it and don't frighten any horses
If I try to wear what I think I 'should' be wearing, I look a complete mess.

I often get complimentary comments about my clothes and shoes.

I agree about some brands, eg Boden. But Toast has some lovely stuff - I just can't afford any of it!

I have the "Christian cult" dress and love wearing it. Feeling quite proud to own one of the featured outfits on this thread 😀.

@RoyalFamilyFan

Or this. It is incredibly ugly. How can anyone see this and decide to buy it?

Must be designed for someone who wishes to emulate Andy Pandy

@LemonMuffins

I find COS to be the worst offender. Always recommended on here. Always shapeless and bland.

I was going to say this. I first heard of it on MN, then had a look....

@CaliforniaDrumming

I love Breton tops! But then we have already established that I am boring:) Someone upthread posted a top with a frill and I would literally itch if I had to wear something with frills.

The frill top was hideous.

Toast clothes, coupled with the miserable looking models, has been renamed "Workhouse Uniform Chic" in my head!

I can only imagine that they are worn by those so achingly on trend that they only care about having the latest look rather than whether that look is actually flattering!

I am unashamedly and unambiguously middle class and middle aged. Appearing to be trying appear overtly sexually attractive would be a massive handicap 98% of the time for me (professionally, at the DC's school, at church). I have a sexual partner I have no need to "make the best of myself" or appear feminine. My clothes need to be appropriate to the situation and actually unremarkable.

@HepzibahGreen

I have had some excellent clothes from Asda over the years. Lovely cotton vintage looking jumper, cotton smock dress that has been washed a hundred times and a few other bits. Same with H&M they used to have great stuff and you could find quality. It’s harder now to find quality clothes in the cheaper end of the High St, so I can see why people turn to Toast and Cos, as they do look.. sturdy.

I think sometimes you just get lucky with cheap brands. I've had some TU dresses that still look great and held their shape after years. I still have some basic Primark tops that are 5 or so years old and held their shape and colour (even after wearing during a pregnancy). I've worn them loads too. You just have to judge when you buy how long it will last. There is a lot of crap in high street shops, but you can get some good stuff if you are picky about the material. The fast fashion stuff tends to have the worst material.

Still struggle to find decent jeans and gym wear, but I think it's just the body I'm putting in them. My legs are short and dumpy now. Never had an issue when I was a size 8.

That said, even if I had a 30k pay rise tomorrow, I think I would still find it hard to spend more than £40 quid on an item of clothing, unless it was outdoor wear and needed to be very waterproof and durable.

Isnt "middle class clothes" referring to the price bracket rather than the clothes themselves? I love Karen Millen and would definitely refer to that as MC in terms of pricing, which I cant afford so I pick up the odd affordable item when they donate their old season stuff to Sense. Got a £200 dress, brand new with tags, from there for £37.50!

@PyongyangKipperbang

Toast clothes, coupled with the miserable looking models, has been renamed "Workhouse Uniform Chic" in my head!

I can only imagine that they are worn by those so achingly on trend that they only care about having the latest look rather than whether that look is actually flattering!

I think you've missed the point a bit. Toast has never been "achingly on trend" or "the latest look".

Oh no, I have gone to the Baukjen site and I love everything on it. Jewel tones, semi-fitted, now I want everything!

@Stoic123

I have the "Christian cult" dress and love wearing it. Feeling quite proud to own one of the featured outfits on this thread 😀.

I really like that one!!