Et tu Toast?

[Floisme]

I know Toast isn't everyone's cup of tea (if you'll pardon the pun) and it's £££. But I've always thought they did great trousers and I've always recommended them on here for quality.

Today the zip on my favourite trousers went. I've had them less than 6 months.

Whatever you may think of their dental nurse chic, Toast were the one and only place where I could honestly say I had never, ever bought a dud. So that's it. I guess from now on, I'll be buying second hand plus the odd bit from H&M and Uniqlo (where prices are low enough for me to make allowances). And saving up for Margaret Howell which will mean about one purchase a season. And maybe learning to sew.

Just wanted to vent as no-one I know in real life would really get it.

I made my first Toast purchase recently - their pull on black denim trousers. After one wash (as per instructions) they had faded significantly which I wasn't too worried about but also had a faded/discoloured line down one leg which was very noticeable. I contacted them and sent photos and they gave me a return label so I've posted them off and waiting for a reply. Not the hassle you expect when you pay their prices so I'm a bit disappointed and did really like the fit of those jeans!

I bought a linen mix jumper from Toast in the sale (John Lewis) which went bobbly pretty much as soon as I looked at it, but I was so smitten with the colour I lived with it as long as I could . . . It wasn't fit for the charity shop after one season.

OP, have you ever tried the Margaret Howell sample sale? They happen a few times a year in the Music Room, in Mayfair. Amazing discounts.

Thanks, Rain, I have heard about these wondrous events but I don't live anywhere near London so I've never made it to one. I shall have to try and time things better next time I visit!

Actually, their style has changed a fair bit over the past 5 years.

I used to be able to buy nice shoes, and slightly fitted dresses, now anything "feminine" or "pretty" has been axed. It has become too utilitarian in style for me

Yes, TRSS1, I had some lovely fitted dresses from Toast, they included a water colour pastels tea dress, a striped dress with a fitted waist and 50's style skirt and a green lace bodycon party dress. They don't do anything like that now ( which makes me sad) I did post on their facebook page but was shouted down by some other customers who want long droopy dresses ( honestly, some styles drag on the floor when I try them on) I do think that if you are going to alter a brand so fundamentally it might be an idea to just say so. I still like the knitwear and jersey tops but most of the dresses are too droopy and sloppy for me.

Disaster - I looked at the Margaret Howell website and have fallen in love orange cashmere jumper I wonder if she has a sale?

Exconstance, yes, I find the dresses unwearable now

I agree about the dresses being really droopy. Their skirts are all at an awkward length too. I remember loving their clothes. The catalogue was bursting with things that i wanted to buy but couldn't afford
Now the dresses are uninspiring and in sack like colours. Appeal to the thin and willowy. I havent ordered anything for a long time.
I did buy one of the pinafore dresses but returned. It was pretty shapeless.

Yy re droopy dresses. Also the high necks (looking at you too, Cos). It’s gone a bit too sister-wife for me. Although I do covet the Solovair ankle boots.

Also far too many dresses that are dry-clean only. Or viscose. £165 for viscose! Just no.

There’s a Margaret Howell outlet store on the outskirts of York, if you’re ever up that way, Floisme. At The York Designer Outlet.

I recommend Solovair. They're an independent company that manufactures in Northamptonshire. I've got some of their shoes and I've had them 20 years.

Dresses aren't my thing at the moment so I've not really looked. It's their trousers I really like - they manage to do well cut and slouchy at the same time.

Thanks Awkward - I didn't know that and I always like a reason for a trip to York

I bought a pair of their slouchy trousers - trouble is the fabric loses its shape when I wear them - think linen on speed. I still wear them occasionally but I know they look quite crap by the end of the day but I weep at having paid so much for a pair of trousers that have that old lady look to them after a short wear.

Thanks, Floisme, I’m going to stalk the boots in the sale! If I don’t crack before January.

I think it has become a bit hit and miss in the last few years and one of my bugbears is that they selling winter coats with no lining for much the same price as previously lined coats. I still mostly like their styles which, I think, suit me, being tall. But quality is definitely declining. Do contact them about their issue though,

Yeah I'm definitely contacting them - I just need to track down a copy of my order which I must have shoved in the wrong folder. I'm partly curious as to what they will say as I'd really like them either replaced (which might be tricky as I'm not sure if they do them any more) or repaired. I'm less interested in a refund as I bought them in the sale so I wouldn't be able to buy like for like with the money.

On a more positive note - digression warning but hey, I'm the op - my Christophe Lemaire-Uniqlo canvass trousers have arrived and I bloody love 'em, although I haven't worn or washed them yet so I shouldn't get too excited.

Awkward I should probably stress that I haven't bought from Solovair for 20 years. That's because their shoes are so good that I haven't needed to, but it's a bit like recommending M&S because I bought a dress there in the 90s and everyone thought it was Ghost. (True.) But (and unlike Toast, who exude this artisan vibe but manufacture in China) they still make their shoes in the same UK factory. They look like the real deal. I'd buy from them rather than Dr Martens who I think have literally got too big for their boots.

Thanks for the Solovair tip Floisme. I've been toying over a pair of Sam's for a while, and couldn't put my finger on what was stopping me, and I think it might be that they're a bit too everywhere to remain great quality.

Well I emailed them last night and there was a reply in my inbox this morning. They've sent a returns label and they have a replacement pair in stock which they're holding for me. (I'd told them I wasn't really interested in a refund).

So having had a good old strop about them, I think it's only fair to say I don't think they could have dealt with it any faster or any better than they did.

Thank you for kicking me up the arse and encouraging me to do something rather than just moan on here. And thanks for all the tips on where to find cut price Margaret Howell - I've been googling the York outlet . ExConstance she had a sale on her website this summer so I assume there's a January one too - all very discreet and the reductions aren't massive (well they're quite big but the clothes are still expensive). It all seems to go pretty quickly!

Thanks too for the Seasalt and Woolovers tips. I had previously written them off as not my style but I really should know better. I can now see individual pieces that might work for me and I'll check them both out.

I tried Woolovers as it gets so many mentions here. Didn’t work for me at all. The cut of the jumpers was frumpy on me. From a large order, I only kept two ‘boyfriend’ cardigans which were ok. They went limp and shapeless after only a couple of washes, and bobbled horrendously. I chucked them. Cannot recommend!