Toasties moving into autumn and dusting off the mothballed knits (or buying new ones)

[ToastCosILoveIt]

New thread for us lovely Toasties.

@clowniform love that skirt, I remember it. There was a matching shirt sleeved shirt. I was eyeing up the same skirt on eBay recently, too big in size but I was planning on undoing the waistband and making it elasticated. But it was too expensive, especially as you got yours for a tenner!

Well done @clowniform for such a good charity shop find. Our local charity shop had a Toast denim skirt in today ..... for £59!!!! We don't even live in a swanky area

Wow you're all making some great finds including online!

I washed the jessa dungarees and just tried them on again and am happy with them. But the lead up to this purchase was bonkers - has anyone else experienced this weird phenomenon? I've tried both the indigo jessa and barrel leg before, a couple of times each, over the last couple of years, and returned each time. But it was like I was being haunted ever since the success with the ecru barrel leg. Suddenly the indigo made sense to me and I couldn't stop thinking about them, so I finally gave in and bought a cheap used pair thinking I might just have to keep them to have scratched that itch. They're v comfortable. Not in any way exciting like the ecru barrel, but i can see myself wearing these. Why couldn't i see that in the 4+ previous attempts?????

No toast for me today, I’ve been forced to retreat to the less substantial fabrics of Hush.

Shorts getting their first outing with the vest. Weird angle. Sorry. Just arrived.

@ilovecherries - I have about five very ancient hush sundresses which live in a box for days when it's too hot to wear actual clothes 😁

I realise there’s already been some discussion about the bobbling of jumpers with cashmere, but I was wondering whether anyone has the wool cashmere raglan cardigans? I absolutely love the look of them, but I can’t see myself de-bobbling after every wear (at least not indefinitely). I absolutely ruined a sweater last winter with a comb, so I’d like to avoid de-bobbling as much as possible.

@PretLea i have the olive green cardigan. I’ve only worn it twice. It does bobble lightly apparently - I was told by the shop assistant in Toast ( she was wearing the charcoal ) and I did ask her directly. She combs the affected areas but only very gently without pressure and with minimal disturbance. I saw her wearing it again yesterday and it looked great still. I think every piece of knit wear will bobble but cheaper knitwear will bobble badly. I gather the bobbling does stop after a few wears - I’ve taken a chance with this one. After two wears there’s no bobbling and it feels so soft, gentle and warm to wear. Perhaps someone with more experience will be able to comment further.

Thanks @Noodle421 this is reassuring. I think I might have to take the plunge and hope for the best. I was definitely way too rough with my jumper, with a rubbish comb. I think someone here mentioned the Brora cashmere comb, so I’ll have a look into that.

@pretlea also Clothes Doctor sell cashmere/wool combs. I have another cashmere piece of knitwear and the bobbles are only very superficial, almost surface fluff. I’m guessing the answer is to be very gentle with the right implement. I bought a comb with a metal edge which was highly rated in a Times newspaper review but it cut holes in the fabric. I’ve thrown it out. I’m new to this too so anyone with any tips are most welcome to post any pearls of wisdom regarding knitwear care/ experience of Toast cashmere.

Thanks for the reassurance about the mystery skirt! I think it was so cheap because the inner waistband was torn/frayed in one area. Not an issue as I was planning on altering that part anyway. Hope it will get an outing this weekend if the forecast 26º arrives.

For wool care I use an electric debobbler for real pills (give one layer of the knit a bit of gentle tension over an ironing board or similar and use pressing up and down motions not scraping sideways ones). Rarely gently scrape with one of these to remove longer bits of fluff (small short motions, downwards with the grain). Toast seem to like using singles, woolen-spun and loftier yarns and sometimes knit at a relatively looser gauge to achieve drape and those decisions will also make pilling more of an issue. (In contrast, Brora's classic styles in 100% cashmere are much lower maintenance, but they will feel noticeably firmer than even a Toast 30% cash blend.)

@clowniform thank you - you are so knowledgeable. I will press up and down instead of sideways drag from now on. In your opinion, given the differences you outline in Toast versus Brora which is the superior knitwear?

I'm just a knitting geek @Noodle421 It's tricky as Brora is far superior in terms of materials quality, but I don't really care for their designs.
At a Toast-ish price level I think Poetry and Pure Company cashmere are better quality than T -- in my past experience anyway, but again I don't often like their offerings so only tried v. few things.
Recently I was v. pleasantly surprised by this Rise&Fall jumper (70/30 merino cash), obviously haven't given it a proper testing yet but it feels properly substantial, like some vintage big designer (Gucci, Dior) knitwear I have.

Interesting, thanks @clowniform I know what you mean about B, they don’t seem to have progressed in the design department over the years. It all feels a bit stagnant somehow. Shame really, beautiful quality and colours but stuck in a time warp perhaps? Love the sound of your vintage designer knitwear. I bet you have some incredible pieces. For classic, pared back knitwear, I can’t recommend NavyGrey enough. Was so surprised at how fabulous I felt wearing a basic crewe in a beautiful creamy colour. It is beautiful quality and so soft.

Agree 💯. I still buy the odd thing, but they repeat the same styles constantly. They have just brought out a new line, Skye, designed by two of the daughters. The marketing blurb made me smile “Adding their own stamp on the brand they grew up with, Victoria's daughters, Jesse and Lola, have delivered a limited-edition collection that combines our distinctive feel with a twist of Americana-cool and British punk” to describe a very ordinary offering IMO

@clowniform - that Rise and Fall jumper looks lovely - I love the idea of it coming with its own moth proof storage bag - genius!

Unfortunately, the high collar would be too itchy for me. I was allergic to wool from my early 20s, but recently ‘grew’ out of it, (which is very odd indeed, but true), however I still can’t wear it close to my neck.

How would you wash it? I couldn’t see any care instructions on their site. I am drawn to their cashmere wrap…

Today is a space check linen shorts day. Getting lazier by the day though. We were up early to go to Granada, then our neighbour told us you should pre-book Alhambra and when I looked, there were no tickets. We’ve been collapsed on balcony ever since. Getting ready to rouse ourselves to go out for lunch.

I have the trousers in that fabric, and the tiered dress, so I'm an admirer of the shorts though they wouldn't suit me.

I'm still in the jessa dungarees. Yesterday I had them on with the mango tank tee, today is with a dark navy emma. I don't think these are flattering, and I could go down a size if I wanted a cuter look, but they are really comfortable and I've decided this is my new long haul flight outfit.

Can I ask about ebay? I bought these without logging in to an account, they were posted royal mail signed for, they arrived early and my partner took the delivery, didn't sign for them, and the RM tracking hasn't updated. It's been two days. I can see the money has gone out of my account. I tried to make a note to the seller to say they arrived but I can't as I bought them as a "guest". I presume seller will be paid, is that right?

EBay is different from vinted in that the money is normally released to seller as soon as you purchase unless their account is limited in some way, so you’re all good 👍

The checked linen shorts are fab!
I have those and the similar trousers, and they have been my most loved items all summer

thanks @ilovecherries !

@ilovecherries I’m so envious of you! Definitely worth booking tickets for another day if you can, it’s stunning (we went in August which was ridiculously hot, I bet it’s the perfect temp now).

@ilovecherries nice shorts! I have them too, very comfortable

has anyone tried the flower mountain trainers? They are massive! I got. 37 and they are a size too big even tho that’s my normal size and that’s the smallest available! I love the look Altho I’m not sure they are practical with all the fleece-ness

@ilovecherries - booking is essential for the Alhambra but so worth it. If you try again, make sure you keep your ticket with you, rather than leaving it with your DH like I did, and getting trapped inside because the guard wouldn’t let me out! Also, I advise getting the bus down the hill to the town rather than walking as it’s not particularly safe imo.

I loved the Alhambra so much - I am jealous of your lovely trip.

Yes, I had forgotten how much the world has changed. The last time I was at the Alhambra was 20 years ago. No booking, just paid at a wee kiosk and straight in.