Toast... Numero 5 ! ... Going into Winter ....

[Laska2Meryls]

Hello!! Here is the new thread for all us Toast lovers ..

Welcome, all old and new posters

[MaizeBlouse]

Where did you see that @MaudesMum? I just went on the website and couldn't see it, I'm probably looking in the wrong place!

[MaudesMum]

@MaizeBlouse - It's headlined Beneath The Tree www.toa.st/uk/content/features/christmas.htm

[Saurus72]

I entered too, nice start to the day! Though I think my winning luck is over for this year - I won a £250 Neal’s Yard Remedies gift card in the summer with The Sunday Times which will keep me going for a few months 😊

[Countmeout]

It also came through on an email.

[Craftycorvid]

Maize. Pure wool trousers ought to be fine either hand washed and given a short spin or even machine washed if you have a cold and delicate setting. The only caveat is if garments have things like fixed pleats as they may not survive washing. I think manufacturers are basically covering themselves against complaints if people chuck things in on 40 degrees and they shrink. I’ve just machine washed an allegedly dry clean only cashmere sweater. It seems fine.

[faustina]

@MaizeBlouse - they do come in and out of stock very often. Hope you find one soon!

@Laska2Meryls - thanks for the reminder - JL refunded me in an hour or so - and I put it towards this lovely hoodie which I think will look good over the dress: Kin hoodie. I usually avoid acrylic so not sure how it's going to look in a month, but it's really nice at the moment!

@Craftycorvid - yes, I always machine wash cashmere too (on the silk cycle which spins even less than the wool cycle) and have done with no problems for years.

[MaizeBlouse]

Thanks everyone RE the Christmas draw, I was being a numpty.

Good to know that I probs could wash the Gabis carefully. Just got an email from John Lewis for a £10 off an £80 spend so feeling even more tempted...

Still keen to hear about the other brands people like though?
I hadn't come across KIN before either. I've sort if been floundering with my style as I've had 2 babies in the last 3 years and before that was still shopping at ASOS and Topshop so I'm sort of finding my feet again style wise.

[Craftycorvid]

I am afflicted with expensive tastes, Maize! Apart from Toast, I like Oska, a German brand, beautifully made clothes that often crop up on eBay. I also like bits and bobs from Peruvian Connection - knitwear more than their other clothes, which can be overly fussy. And Gudrun Sjoden - not so much the ‘children’s TV presenter having a crisis’ stuff though, but the gorgeous coats and shoes.

[faustina]

I am a new convert to Kin - since the summer. Really like Brora too though its prices are getting a bit silly. The Uniqlo collaborations (especially Lemaire and am looking forward to the Jill Sander too) - and good old Gap for some things too (their cashmere is particularly nice at the moment)

[NoCureForLove]

I bought myself a new warm coat this week. Nothing from Toast appealex / too expensive. Am very pleased with it - like wearing a blanket - in a good way...

[NoCureForLove]

Here! Cuddly!

[Moominmammaatsea]

Will you have me back? Please, pretty please? I didn’t forsake my fellow Toasties totally, as I’ve been guilty of the occasional lurk, but I’ve been dealing with some pretty hairy life stuff and not really had the inclination to post. I have taken significant comfort from reading what my pals on here have been up to so thank you!

I will confess to purchasing the compulsory/obligatory Kin tiered cord dress 🤓 (and many thanks to Laska for jogging my memory re: the JL price match). I bought it in navy blue and in my actual size 10 and while it’s roomy, it’s a snug fit on the shoulders and arms which, I’m hoping will be a sufficient counterpoint to the volume of fabric in the skirt?

I did think I was hallucinating or maybe my phone was glitching when I’d log into the JL Toast page only to discover the odd 70 per cent off bargain - and I was thrilled to snaffle the ikat checkerboard wrap dress (original price = £295). It’s a size 12 so it may be too large (not had the time or energy to try it on and I’m still contemplating how I would wear it ie John Smedley navy polo neck underneath?)

Just to add, has everyone read the email regarding the upcoming seasonal workshops? I managed to book into three (House of Hackney/Seasonal Table and knitwear darning).

I really hope you’re all keeping your spirits up in lockdown mark ii?

[Spottyegg]

@faustina I’m also looking forward to the +J collection, hoping sizing is ok - can be either a small or medium in Uniqlo. Can recommend the Uniqlo U boyfriend high rise jeans for those of us who are more straight up and down. I also buy from Cos and Arket

[faustina]

hello @Moominmammaatsea - I'm sorry you're dealing with some shitty things - hope they resolve soon. It's very nice to see you again! Isn't that cord dress lovely? It's my favourite thing!

@Spottyegg what are you planning to buy? I'm aiming for one of the coats (all my wool coats come from the uniqlo collabs - they're fantastically well cut ) - and perhaps one of the down jackets which I remember coveting last time she did a collaboration

[AuldFox]

I lost the thread but have found you all again!

@Moominmammaatsea I have the chequerboard dress and it is indeed very roomy. There a belt though which I definitely need as the waist is basically unfitted.

[mizu]

Plumo have been stalking me on Instagram and I love these boots in fact the whole outfit! There are no reviews however to help me decide!! They look comfortable. Usually not keen on black but I'm so tempted.

[mizu]

£129

[mizu]

£269 i mean!!!!!

[Craftycorvid]

Not familiar with Plumo, but that’s a nice outfit - similar to brands like Oska and Rundholz?

[Spottyegg]

@mizu have you looked at Camper - Pix looks a bit similar?

[SewingBeeAddict]

@mizu those are lovely boots but at that price I would run off to Grenson .
Some beautiful knit wear -particularly taken by the Fairisle.
However Ive just spent my JL card points vouchers on a Brora Fairisle so will be good

[faustina]

@mizu - yes, find out which brand they are and see if they're cheaper - I did that with a pair of clogs which turned out to be half the price elsewhere. They are lovely boots! I have a friend who has a few of the jack jumpers and she really rates them

[mizu]

spotty. Yes had a pair of camper last winter but they were a bit snug around the ankle so I sold them on eBay. I do like the shape of Camper boots.

As for looking for the boots elsewhere? Good idea.

[Moominmammaatsea]

@faustina, thanks for the welcome back! My very elderly father has been in hospital with pneumonia and now I am caring for him and my housebound/immobile mum, as well as firefighting issues with both my SEN children. I am feeling like the stretchy mother in the movie The Incredibles because I am being pulled in so many directions! I’m very jealous of your Times+ win; I have a subscription and enter every competition religiously but I’ve never won anything.

I haven’t actually worn the Kin dress yet, nor the Ikat checkerboard (nor some of the garments I purchased in the JL 70 per cent off sale. 🤫). I tend to settle into my comfort zone with clothes and rotate a couple of outfits I love until I’m so bored, I finally experiment with new stuff.

mizu, those boots are lovely! I had a windfall on my premium bonds so I treated myself to a pair of the Toast Fracap hiking boots; I actually prefer the olive colour way but I stuck to black as I intend to wear them with all my Japanese indigo and I was concerned about colour rub with the lighter leather.

[Moominmammaatsea]

@AuldFox, glad you found the thread!