When did TOAST get so horribly expensive?

[SirVixofVixHall]

Looked at some things last week- everything seemed at least fifty quid more than I would have expected. I haven't bought anything for a few seasons because nothing suited me, and now it seems eye wateringly pricey for what it is. £170 for a really basic needlecord dress that will be worn out pretty quickly? £135 for a simple jumper...I used to buy a few bits every season but a few bits now would be six hundred quid or more. Think I need to make my own things!

I'm wondering if the outlet at Shepton Mallet is worth going to - have googled and it is 1.5 hours away from me. Anyone?

I think some Uniqlo has a similar vibe to Toast - just not as lavishly / pretentiously photographed. I don't like their colours nearly as much and find their quality and sizing very hit and miss but then it's way cheaper. I'm looking forward to seeing the JW Anderson collaboration.

I've seen bits and pieces of Toast stuff in TK Maxx stores recently - especially wide legged trousers (£24.99). Sadly nothing that suited me. There's a couple of pieces on the website too.

It's all gone wrong for me at Toast. The dresses are too long and the colours too sludgey. I have beautifully cut dresses in gorgeous colours but they are about 3 years old now (look good as new). I can only really buy accessories there now.

I am LOLing @ gulag librarian

Yes, I used to yearn after loads of Toast dresses but haven't wanted any for the last couple of seasons. But that is partly because I don't like shirt dresses. (I loved their apron dresses so much I made myself a couple - pretty easy to do. I tried one on and had a good look at the details and construction and then hacked a pattern.) I've never liked their skirts, either - too much gathering going on for me. I do however love their trousers and have several pairs.

And I bloody love that boucle tweed coat. Also liking the boiled wool duffle coat.

Yes I've spotted some Toast pieces in TK Maxx recently. Wonder if they're buying their old stock?

You see, I love shirt dresses and am loving Toast at the moment.
That tweed coat keeps calling to me.
Part of the appeal of Toast, personally, is because I grew up in the North during the late 80's/90s, wearing DMs and men's clothes which I often turned inside out . So I see a way of continuing to look like me, in a more grown up way. Nothing else really appeals to me, although this may be good. If only it was tweed

Mizu my parents live in that area so I've been twice; once to the normal shop, where things are reduced and it is VERY hit and miss, and an archive jumble sale-type thing several years ago which was AMAZING. Best to get on the outlet's mailing list for updates of the next one... if there is one... because that was definitely worth going to!

Mizu - I've bought some nice things from the shop, including two brilliant coats, but you can go and find nothing you want as the stock seems to change quite regularly. I quite like the opportunity to try on stuff, as some Toast items look much better on than off (and vice-versa) and that helps me get my eye in for online sales. I'm 30 minutes away, but I'm not sure if I'd drive for an hour and a half... sorry!

Thanks both, so tempted but would be mightily pissed off if I found nothing!

And thought I could go and get new school shoes too to lessen the guilt but no Clarke outlet there.

There's cheap toast stuff on the tk Maxx website!! In sizes 14-18 mainly. Boohoo.

The archive jumble-sale things were cheap but hellish. Loads of frenzied women elbowing each other out of the way and grabbing one shoe each. My friend got some nice things very cheaply, including some beautiful boots. I bought a couple of lovely dresses at one but at the next I gave up without buying anything, as the crush was so stressful! I don't think they've had one for ages, at least not that I know of.

This makes me so sad. Toast is the only brand that I like that fits me correctly (tall). I'm planning on making my own clothes once dc are in school but at this rate it may have to wait until retirement.

Toast has never been great for arm length and bracelet length stuff just annoys me,especially when we're talking coats it's just stupid!

I think that a lot of their clothes are just designed that way by choice. Costs especially tend to be a bit short so that your sleeves beneath can be seen.

Jumpers always tend to be an appropriate length though.

No everything is short in the arms.

I love the shorter arm length, especially three quarter length sleeve tops. Being a teacher, it means they are not going to get in the way.

Coats def no though.

The arm length is one of the things I love about Toast. I have short arms and normally have to roll sleeves on everything up. One of the reasons I don't wear shirts is that the sleeves are always too long. The other reason I don't is that the shoulders on nearly everything are too wide - but often Toast cuts for a narrower shoulder. And thirdly, they cut a nice high armhole (goes with the narrower shoulder) so that you get maximum movement of the arms and no pulling across the chest (I'm looking at you, Marks and Spencer).

Oh yes, love the shorter arms, the trousers are too long though.

Whatthefox totally agree. Mind you if you have short legs, as I do, there are practically no ready-made trousers that are the right length (except M&S ).

SirVix, they used to do their archive sake online as well

The online archive sale was bonkers too. Everything in my basket would be sold out by the time I got to the checkout and I'd end up sending for all kinds of shit simply because it was still in stock.