On we go Toasties heading for Spring???

[Countmeout]

Other one nearly full

I've read a couple of threads on here about the approaching spring and then summer, and I've just reorgansised the storage of my lovley jumpers and am really glad I have another couple of months to wear them. Todays I'm wearing the pear alpaca jumper with the firewood cords and a stone/chalk ("dingy rice water?") tee in between.

Also, watching one of the toast live videos, the tall designer lady spoke of dropping hems and it made me think of my cropped trousers that I don't wear because of the length so I've broght them down to work on this weekend.

@Stravaig Not sure what size you're after- but I happened to have just enquired about the measurements for the Alix Birch trousers in a size 10 and 12.

Size 10
Waist width along top edge of waistband 37.5cm
Waist width stretched 48.7cm
Front rise Grown on WB styles 37.6cm
Back rise Grown on WB styles 42.9cm

Size 12
Waist width along top edge of waistband 40cm
Waist width stretched 50.2cm
Front rise Grown on WB styles 38.6cm
Back rise Grown on WB styles 43.9cm

I usually email their support and ask for measurements before purchasing (as we all know how toast sizes are..) and they've always been happy to help. Thankfully measurements have been consistently accurate too!

@happysoju Thank you so much! Those are the sizes too :)

I used to always ask Toast, but started getting variable results - I think the difference between looking up a specification table, and measuring an actual finished garment in the old days.

Birch Alix Now I won't spend months pining!

@Snowyowl78

Caitlin Moran talks about it a lot (see point 4). Just not as good at processing it. If I'm not careful, I start to get a hangover while I'm still in the middle of a night out 😢.

www.redonline.co.uk/red-women/blogs/a34159053/caitlin-moran-middle-aged/

Thanks @Stoic123 I will have a read!

Am I the only one reading that article and nodding sagely from start to finish?

@lordloveadog - resort wear does sound intimidating, but I've been to places like that before and you will be fine with some lovely loose Toast dresses (not sure if Hush still do the crinkle cotton sundresses - they're good too) - just add Birkenstocks and a hat and sunglasses and you will outstyle everyone else

Big sympathy to all my fellow peri and menopausal toasties. I've found the weight so hard to lose once it's gained - much harder than ever before, and being short it really shows instantly. I have only two tips to share - firstly being incredibly strict about eating (which is depressing) - secondly visit the loos on the second floor at John Lewis in Cambridge. Their mirrors/lighting have some magic effect and you will ALWAYS look amazing in them - skin, flawless and at least half a stone lighter.

@faustina - ha ha! I know those loos. Thought I was having a good day when last used (back in November).

@Stoic123 - It's magic, every single time! I would pay good money to have a magic mirror like that in my house

Mirrors. Honestly. How can such a simple concept be so variable? I have one mirror at home that shows me in a good light. No others. I went to a restaurant this week that had a full length mirror and it was veering dangerously close to one of those carnival mirrors, i was twice a wide! Twice as short, if that can be a thing. It did not help that i was feeling sweaty and on a random period (i only had 5 of them last year). Some wise toaster on an earlier thread mentioned not having a mirror and judging clothes based on feel, and i never forgot that. I now always include that in my checklist re whether or not to keep an item.

Joins in… hello there. I am new and also peri menopausal but a real Toast fan. I have just bought this and I am going to swank about this weekend in it.

This lovely dress.

Lovely colour and pattern.

Also, like that idea of checking for comfort when clothes shopping.

My late 40s and early 50s were the most horrific time. Menopause is shit, I’m so glad the conspiracy of silence around it is finally going.

I’m still in no-spend but I have bought myself a couple of modest things from Hush to make me feel better post hip-replacement in two weeks. Now that feels seriously old, although it’s partly down to an undiagnosed congenital dislocation of hip so it’s not all down to age. Currently wearing all my existing Toast. Today is a chambray shirt with a sort of sailor collar snd tie neck, blue alpaca cardi and blue gabis.

Welcome @BlackRookInRainyWeather . How did you find the new sizing?

I am really old. Way beyond menopause. My weight gain atm the moment is the left over from a period when I had sciatica for 4 months , couldn’t exercise, and then on top of that eating too many cakes. Trying to claw back now to where I was. Wine! I always fell asleep after 2 glasses anyhow.

H and M have friendly mirrors.

I’m not sure I won’t crack before the end of the month in terms of no Toast .

@BlackRookInRainyWeather - that dress is the most amazing colour! If comfortable with the idea, it would be lovely to see a pic if you have time between swanks 😀

@ilovecherries - hope the hip replacement goes well and that you recover quickly

Hi@BlackRookInRainyWeather , welcome, and fabulous way to join a thread, by swanking about if a gorgeous item! I want that interested until i saw it modeled on a toast live video. It's a neatly cut pattern.

Also sending my good wishes @ilovecherries , might you need a lovely new toast item to aid recovery and wellbeing?

I got a Large in the green dress. I usually buy a 16 and have 36 HH to contend with and it fits neatly on the bust and nips me in a little bit and totally forgives my tummy and hips. I hate sizing across brands which is sometimes 16s etc and then Larges etc. I could happily wear it in the size up, and then it would be looser. Thank you for the lovely welcome. I am loving mumsnet. 👗

Thanks for encouragement! I will report back on the lotus trews on Monday. I expect they will transform me into a slim, elegant, sophisticated person who can make small talk.

I'm heading rapidly into peri menopause here and not very pleased about it, because I've got my life in track in several ways recently and could do without more upheaval. Have also been ill a lot with covid and long covid and tedious infections, but better now and spending as much time as possible at the gym try to regain muscle strength while hormones are on my side.

Welcome Rook! Have a lovely time swanning about in that beautiful dress!

And all the best for the operation @ilovecherries. I gather it's all very routine nowadays, but some hush cosiness can surely help.

Enjoying having a catch up of all the messages.it's been a funny old week at work (I teach ESOL) and we have a lot of Syrian and Turkish learners.

I'm on HRT too but had a full hysterectomy 8 years ago so been on it a while. Feel up and down but mainly ok. Used to enjoy drinking, rarely do now. Just not worth it.

Heading for 50 next week and know I'll have something to spend in TOAST. Tried on the checked pinafore dress a couple of weeks ago in store but they only -annoyingly- had a M and not a S. The M was too big. It looks great on the model but I wasn't sure if it made me look like an oversized child.

I ordered this and tried it on today. I ordered the large as a 12-14 is meant to be that size. People had said that it was tight over the bust. I found it quite big with a bit too wide under the arms. Ive ordered the medium and have returned the large today. Also there was just too much material from the bust downwards.
The tulip shape just looked far too big on me.
If the medium doesn't work, then that is it! I love the lotus print trousers. Have had my eye on them for ages. Look forward to seeing them.
I also ordered the sheepskin birkenstocks [ Arizona] They looked so cute with the fur. Planning to wear them everywhere! Also ordered some matching socks as i might brave the socks and sandals look!

I'm post menopause now at 55. No HRT for me and had my fair share of hot flushes which just about killed me!! However, I think I am over the worst and feel fine :) Then again, I've always been an anxious person so that's not new!!

Im really confused about their sizing thinking about the check pinafore dress. Maybe I should just stick to a medium in size as that is what I was already but no way a 10-12 sadly.

I’m not loving the new sizing if I’m honest although maybe it’s vanity as I had liked taking a medium in the old sizing Toast!

I also thought that dress was a stand out piece in the new collection @BlackRookInRainyWeather and am considering whether it would be better for me oversized or more fitted.

The new sizing makes me anxious. It's great that they've responded to the overwhelming amount of reviews that consistently comment on this, but i think they've still got it wrong, still producing things with too much fabric, too over sized. When you can take whole feet out of a dress and it remains loose and lovely that's just a waste... or maybe i woke up grumpy. I'm just wearing a pair of toast pjs and thinking how all of them are loose without being exaggerated, and wishing toast produced day wear like this!