Toast the fourth!

[neveradullmoment99]

Welcome :)

It looks lovely on you, Saurus.

@Saurus72 - looks great - what a lovely print it is!

@ScottishMouse - I've worn trainers with no socks and a long coat the last couple of winters and I quite like how the flash of bare ankle looks. I think boots and socks would look fine. I found some great clogs the other day and have been wearing them with slouchy socks too!

@ScottishMouse I know you said over the knee socks fall down... that’s my experience too. However I’ve started wearing just, what I call, long socks which end just below my knee. A bit like school socks
I’ve just bought a few pairs from Seasalt, fine stripes in charcoal and the other pair dark greens. Look good under cropped trousers with brogues.

Sorry @ScottishMouse I finished too soon,... so I think they’ll look good under midi length dresses and skirts too.

I can’t manage the bare legged look myself, Mouse due to milk bottle skin tone and an aversion to the cold. However, if you feel all right with it, I say go for it. I think warm socks and ankle boots under a longer dress looks like you are wearing tights anyway. Have you tried Gudrun Sjoden for socks? Lots of soft (not too tight) fibres and lovely colours. The alternative for super cold weather might be very loose trousers under a shorter dress or tunic. Not sure if it’s fashionable or not but personally never given a monkey’s about what is currently ‘in’ or not.

Ooh @AmethystMoonShine, I saw those very socks just yesterday in Seasalt, but the woman in the shop told me they were mid calf length and wouldn’t go up to my knee. I also worry that an expected flash of knee looks worse than bare legs, and would probably only risk knee highs under quite a long skirt/dress.

That’s beautiful @Saurus72. Interesting to know about the sizing. Is there a papaya colour in the print, thought I read that in the reviews . Would be lovely with the cashmere scarf.
Have you thought about a long boot @ScottishMouse. I haven’t worn long boots for quite a few years but have bought a pair this year to replace a pair which must be about 14 years old. They seem to work with skirts and dresses. I hate tights too but I’m not sure I could go bare legged in the depths of winter. I bought a really long puffer coat last year which is great with midi length dresses if very cold.

I am ordered this dress from JL and also the blouse in the same print, which I just love.
www.johnlewis.com/and-or-arabella-floral-blouse-multi/p5068969?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlcom_droid_all

www.johnlewis.com/and-or-evita-crowded-floral-dress-natural/p5115246?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlcom_droid_all

The dress I ordered to go to our shopping company in UK who collate our UK online shopping gorders and then deliver out here (Portugal).

I ordered the blouse separately and realised that JL only charge £7 to ship directly to my home in Lagos. And only takes 5 days. Really pleased. It should arrive Tuesday. Going to get them to deliver directly in future.

Ideally I want to wear this dress and others like it with DM style boots. But the climate here is so much warmer than the UK that in the house we just wear slippers (I have a horror of outdoors shoes inside the house, all the yuck that could be on the bottom). So the boots would only be worn when going outside and most days, even in winter, it doesn't get below 16 degrees. Not really boot weather.

So what footwear do I wear instead? Trainers? What colour? Advice please. Gratefully received.

PS I'm 57.

I haven’t actually @Countmeout. I have short legs and chunky calves, and have never managed to find any to fit me. I gave up looking years ago though, so maybe worth another look.

@ScottishMouse those Seasalt sick easily cover the bottom half inch of my knee cap! I have 31 inch inside leg and am size 12.... so not skinny and actually my calves certainly aren’t. I think Seasalt lady was mistaken. On 3 for 2 also

Socks not sick

@ScottishMouse which clogs lease?

sauraus Really love the Toast leaf dress on you!

I ordered the Toast lilac shirt from JLewis. Its lovely. Would have like it a little longer but its a keeper. I got it with the 20% off. Cheated a little by using a different email.

love the dress @Saurus72 What a beautiful print.

Reeling that some people go bare legged in the winter 😱
How?
I have been known to wear big knickers, tights, thermals and then long socks.
Im always freezing.
Could you wear harem style trousers underneath?
I got some lovely wool striped socks in JL
Very warm plus I put wool insoles in all my winter footwear.

Thanks @AmethystMoonShine, they sound worth a go then.

😆 @SewingBeeAddict, I definitely can’t do bare legs all winter long, but for most of it, I am happy enough unless outside for long periods. I hate feeling too warm though, and perimenopause is definitely making that worse 🙄

@Saurus72 the dress is absolutely beautiful. I've also been coveting that dress since I first saw it. The fabric looks amazing and it hangs so well on you.

@ScottishMouse If you are looking for boots and have concerns about them not fitting, do have a look at Duo Boots - they come in many different widths. Not cheap, but the ones I have, have lasted years!

Think I have that shirt @neveradullmoment99. It’s a lovely weight.
Here’s the Annie side button denim for anyone interested. Decided to keep the larger size. Current situation not the best time to give up the scones 😬. I can always sell later if I learn to live on lettuce.

The Sunday Telegraph has an article on Toast today (behind paywall unfortunately so I can't link it) - by Virginia Chadwyck Healey. She states that Toast "makes exceptionally good clothes...simple, functional and beautiful clothes". She mentions the plus side of the clothes being stocked in John Lewis - however, my own branch no longer does, much to my disappointment. If they were still in store, I'd be in frequently (I live a long way from a Toast shop sadly).

@Countmeout - they look lovely. I think I tried the corduroy version of those on

@SaffyRosie - my clogs shortlist included kitty clogs
Penelope Chilvers
and lotta from Stockholm but in the end I found exactly what I was looking for here calou

@Countmeout

Think I have that shirt *@neveradullmoment99*. It’s a lovely weight. Here’s the Annie side button denim for anyone interested. Decided to keep the larger size. Current situation not the best time to give up the scones 😬. I can always sell later if I learn to live on lettuce.

I have these. I got them in a 12 and moved the buttons. They were neat around the waist for me.

Sorry I have name changed from never to fortheroses!

Sorry Fortherosesjoni70

Ooh saurus I love that dress on you! Would you mind telling me how tall you are? If I’m a similar height I’m going to go and try it on...