TOAST fans looking forward to the Christmas velvet offerings

[ToastCosILoveIt]

Starting a new thread for us Toast fans, link to the last one is www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4292170-Toast-is-there-any-stopping-us?msgid=110659168

[quote PostItNow]@ilovecherries I didn’t think the dress was flattering on you - could have been the camera angle, it looks too big. I think should put it in your wardrobe and try it on again in a week’s time - then decide - if you still love it then keep it![/quote]
Sorry, but I have to disagree. If it was any tighter it would look too small.

Can I digress for a second and ask why we want clothes to be “flattering”? It seems such an odd concept to me.

here are my sale purchases... Love them all .. the PJs are a bit mad though! Pihu skirt ( glad that I sized up, the waist is really small)
Areca block print Pjs and orange linen vest

Hmm having troubles uploading the photos. .. ill try again later

@Blossomtoes I definitely want clothes to be flattering and make me feel my best. I don’t mean they need to be revealing or make me look younger but I do want to feel confident in them, feel the colours suit me, shapes work on my body shape etc. What I’ve realised through years and years of intensely planning my wardrobe (I just love clothes…) is that my main successes are when I find something beautiful that’s easy to wear, comfy and makes me feel my best, it takes the pressure off and I know I’ve got things to wear without thinking about it.

ok here's another go at uploading the photos , Pihu skirt, linen vest and Areca Pjs

Those PJ bottoms are so lush @Laska2Meryls

I also bought the blue square top. am keeping it all ! ..... Then I had a little play around with outfits.. I think the Pihu skirt and the Areaca top is very Toast Aesthetic but id need socks and shoes for the full look!

I love the top also Saurus , wasnt sure that I would, ( wondered whether perhaps too Hawaiian shirt?) but its fab..

Please excuse mad - ex-camping- hairdo!!

re Gabi cords .. I have the dark coffee chunky cords from last year but as winter cords (which they are they) they are a little too short.. I have taken the hem down as much as possible and they just do with boots under ..

Toady I am wearing the storm Gabi cotton ones , they are fine for this time of year but are about 2in above ankle on e at 5'6

Ah, didn’t realise they were a set, such good colours.

I completely agree with everything you say @Saurus72, it’s the use of the word “flattering” I take issue with - it’s like I’m expecting a dress to coo compliments in my ear! It’s obviously just me.

I love those pjs, they’re beautiful.

@Laska2Meryls - the pihu skirt is really lovely!

@AmethystMoonShine - if only the tree and the tractor were closer! Not sure how robust plum trees are for climbing, especially when ancient - very lovely though!

Flattering is an interesting word, and one I never really gave much though to until I did a personal styling and colour analysis course about 4 years ago, and I suddenly found myself bristling at the use of the word. I had imagined that the training would have been about how to curate looks, how to make things work together, how to blend fit and drape etc. In fact there was a heavy focus on flattering and when I unpicked that it was about hiding perceived ‘imperfections’ and playing up ‘assets’. Whether the person liked the outfit, felt fabulous in it, found it comfortable etc was all secondary to the great god of flattering. It all felt quite uncomfortable and misogynist if I’m honest. I was provided with a practice client who had a very particular look in mind, and I certainly felt we achieved that - she was very happy certainly. However the feedback I got was that the clothes didn’t flatter her figure, made her look bigger (because flattering still seems to really mean ‘make her look smaller’) and that it was my job to draw her to a look that would downplay her flaws and showcase her ‘good’ points. In short I suspect, make her look like a colour analysed clone in shoes she couldn’t walk in and a dress she couldn’t eat in. What I love about Toast is that the clothes are to be lived in. They are comfortable, but they are also interesting. I can move and do nearly everything I want in them without having to resort to joggers and sweats. They make me FEEL good and I think generally speaking that looking good follows that because they are clothes I can wear like a second skin. I feel they complement me (and I have used the right spelling for what I mean).

My Derelict Tractor is perhaps a little rusty for climbing on in a frock but I do think that I could wear my new Toast outfits for shearing Jacobs x sheep and gathering eggs? ..
A pitchfork and a wicker basket is the best accessory to both activities I find!! .
For relaxation I like to throw a pot against the barn wall !!

This chat about clothes that flatter is really interesting. I do want my clothes to flatter, but I think what I mean by flatter is maybe not what is usually meant. If “flattering” means figure hugging, or making me look like some textbook definition of what a woman should look like, then I have no interest.
I agree with what you say @ilovecherries. If I put on something in a colour that does not suit my skin tone, I will generally not feel good in it. Yes, that probably means it is not “flattering”, but like you say, it is more about what I feel good in. For example, the bright orange Edith dress from last season - I’m not sure that the colour “flatters” me, but I absolutely love it and feel great in it. Similarly, my old indigo Alix trousers - the bum is so worn and baggy (even after a good wash), and I’m pretty sure they are not “flattering”, but I love them like an old friend and will wear them until they fall apart.
I think the Toast aesthetic is quite far from traditionally “flattering”, and even within Toast’s range, I tend to opt for pieces that have shapes that are not typically feminine. Does that mean the pieces are not flattering? I don’t personally think so.

I have been strongly influenced by the two lovely ladies I saw out and about at the weekend, and have just ordered the crinkle check dress and the micro gingham jumpsuit. I tried the jumpsuit before, but I maybe didn’t give it enough of a chance, so have ordered a smaller size to see if I can get it to work. Have also ordered the Forest green cashmere wool jumper that I was waiting for. I hope it’s the same fit as the one I have from a few years ago.

I love the crinkle dress, but I have the cropped trousers and suspect it’s too much of a good thing to have both. I’m wearing gabis and a cotton/linen shirt sleeve jumper today as I’ve just been for my flu jab. The pharmacist said she liked my socks!

I'm also very interested in the flattering thing - especially what you say @ilovecherries about the colour analysis course you did. I thought the whole idea of them was about particular colours which would work for you?

Remember the offers last year, where you got a discount if you did a JL stylist session? Well one of the stylists I spoke to was really nudging me to fit her concept of ... whatever, which seemed to be to put a belt on - and I was looking at oversized smock dresses - the whole point of which is oversized and most definitely not a belt! She didn't really seem to get it.

Also - remember that horrible expression - fuck me shoes? I was describing my new dress (the denim one) to someone and I said it was more of a fuck you dress - just 'I am very happy in my own skin with this on thank you very much'

@ScottishMouse - I saw one of the shop assistants at a Toast branch in that crinkle dress and she looked amazing in it! She was quite petite and had silver trainers and matching hair

It was personal styling as well as colours, so a big emphasis on body shape as well. But even with colours - if someone wants to do dark academia, for example, that’s hard if you are trying to get them into spring colours. So even if spring colours suit them, if they don’t like them or feel self conscious in them, then IMO they aren’t going to feel good about wearing them. But they looked at me like I had two heads when I said that. My JL stylist had a clear picture of what 63 year old women should wear. Let’s just say we didn’t agree. But I did take the 20% off 😂

I love the thought of a fuck you dress.

A fuck you dress, I love it!
Yes, on the colours thing, you need to like the colours as well as them suiting you. Apparently I suit jewel colours, especially purple, but purple is my least favourite colour in the world and I would never wear it. I don’t care how much it “flatters” my complexion or whatever.

Well, I’ve given bum info on the Gabis. These years cords are a different size and shape from last year. Concrete ones just arrived and they are far too big in my usual size, whereas last years cords were nearer than the twill ones. Do you think they will be pre-shrunk?

That’s interesting about the Gabi sizing @Laska2Meryls, I’m beginning to think I need to plan a trip to an actual shop for a try on session.