Toasties hoping for a sale while sailing into Christmas

[Countmeout]

New thread

This came up my insta feed this morning, and I wondered if anyone had ever made their own Toast dupes.

https://thefoldline.com/2023/11/11/the-brand-edit-toast/?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-thefoldline&utm_content=later-39093624&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio

@mizu i was really confused by it! It was also v big- I’d previously tried the real one in a Large and it fitted so I don’t know what size this one was. That said I didn’t bother to do up the buttons as I knew it wouldn’t work!

@No1Mousie No sewer here, but I don’t think I’d be tempted to try seeing the results . On reflection I’ll modify that , the fabrics and stylings of the dupes look very un Toast to me .
I was just looking at Donegal jumpers on other sites , and the old fashioned modelling probably put me off . I don’t really like the way Toast pick very young cross looking models ,but maybe see there’s a reason they never smile!

Thanks for sharing your sample scores @Snowyowl78 and @mizu ! Mizu, were the jaquard trousers you saw in the olive colour the dress also comes in? They do sound lovely, I think the fabric would really suit a looser culotte style.

@Noodle421 I was excited by the premise of the foldline listicle but thought it was terrible actually, as if they had a list of brands to promote and shoe-horned patterns in that were nothing like the Toast pieces chosen.
Just off the top of my head: M&M September looks much closer to the herringbone coat, and Sandra for the Hal jacket.
Style Arc Montana Midi for the Franca dress.
Closet Core Pietra pants for Alix.
Paper Theory LB Pullover for the jumper.

Your coat sounds fab. I am in search of a Nice Plain Coat too but no luck so far, though my only requirements are 70%+ wool and a light neutral shade!

@clowniform yes, that colour. They were just lovely.

Oops so grumpy I forgot to say @ToastCosILoveIt still really enjoying hearing about your new work wardrobe. You reminded me of a wonderful blackened olive MHxBarbour trench I resisted at an old sample sale for being a bit too straight-cut for my mood/taste in extra voluminous bottoms at the time. Now I'm back in neater silhouettes I regret it of course! Changing room picture: spot the Toast shirt peeking out.

@OftenOrange so true about styling. I sometimes wonder how much of my liking for Merchant&Mills patterns is down to vibes... their packaging can make even buying a new box of pins feel fun.

Marina Rinaldi (especially older stuff) is beautiful. I had a few pieces when I was working.

@clowniform Have you tried Jigsaw for coats? I don’t buy very much from Jigsaw now, mainly knitwear and coats in summer sales which I’ve found to be really excellent quality. I bought a beautiful black wool coat in the first summer of lockdown when there were crazy sales - £135 from a full price of £350, delighted with it! Now I work mainly from home, I expect it will last quite a few years because I wear it so little. Hoping to add another to my wardrobe next summer 😊

I always think home made stuff just doesn’t look the same @No1Mousie . I am probably biased as my mother was a seamstress trained in the forties, she was very talented, made many of my clothes beautifully, stiffened belts, covered buttons . I grew out of being happy with made stuff in my teens and I love nothing more than a bought item. I think there is always something that sets it apart , obviously has to be a well made bought item but still I don’t think they can be replicated.

My Seasalt order arrived. Seasalt and I don’t usually get on but I have kept the green cropped wide leg cords. At 5’4” they’re longer on me than on the website but are a length I am happy with , similar to the length of my Annie’s. I also kept a tank - love a tank.

@clowniform , funny you should say that about Merchant and Mills pins and packaging: I was in Rye in July and went into merchant and mills and came away with a sewing repair kit in a tin that was so beautifully represented that I couldn’t resist. I was also tempted by their sewing weekends but the prices were very high (over £1k) - https://merchantandmills.com/uk/sewing-retreats

Re the MHL collab, the Barbour i bought is navy waxed, long (mid shin), straight up and down (no belt) with a cord collar and gold lining. It is a beautiful coat, bought in the MHL outlet shop in London. I can’t remember what I paid for it - around £250 I think. It was less than a year ago but I have worn it lots and it feels very stylish. I also bought a Barbour/Alexa Chung collab last winder: black patent with a cream sheepskin style collar and deep cuffs and a belt. Again, it is mid shin and is wonderfully stylish and I have had loads of people stop me to comment on it.

My final Barbour buy was this year and I haven’t worn it yet: a pussy bow floral print blouse with House of Hackney. Here it is and I love it - https://www.barbour.com/uk/catalog/product/view/id/142935/s/barbour-x-house-of-hackney-daintry-shirt/category/103/

I don’t think of myself as a Barbour person but I also have one of their flat caps and a shorter more traditional Barbour mac with a belt. They are beautiful English design pieces.

Is there a MHL outlet shop in London @ToastCosILoveIt ? Could you possibly tell me about it?

Hi @Countmeout , yes, it is near the Wigmore Street bracnh - 63 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SW. I’m not sure if it is outlet or end of line or what it’s title is. When I went there one week day last winter it was empty and had some lovely things. I bought my Barbour mac and a pleated plaid black and white wool skirt which had a hint of Vivienne Westwood to me. I need to get back in there. I think some of the sizes were extreme: really big or really small. I had to get the mac in a 14 but to be honest the oversized nature fits well with the Toast wardrobe I have.

Thanks @ToastCosILoveIt . I fell for a MHL Barbour Mac a couple of seasons ago and by the time I justified it to myself of course it was gone from the website. I must go as I’m going to London in the next few weeks. Thanks for the info. It’ll be interesting to see what they have .

@ToastCosILoveIt I also have the Alexa Chung black shiny Mac, plus a cropped Alexa Chung collab classic green coat that is lined with fake sheepskin; it keeps me toasty until it’s time to get out the big gun Fjallraven winter parka. I have spotted a few Barbour-Alexa Chung coats in my local TK Maxx. It’s such a shame that the collaboration has come to an end.

@clowniform The coat MH L Barbour does look pretty damned good on you, but if it didn’t give you goosebumps at the time you made the right decision.
I missed that collaboration,but having bought two Toast coats this season I shouldn’t be lusting after another.
I’ve yet to wear the green houndstooth , waiting for a crispy cold snap.

@ToastCosILoveIt The Barbour blouse is really lovely , what lovely soft colour combos on both options ;does it look good worn out as well as tucked in?

Can any 5'4 - ish people vouch for recent Toast items? I felt overwhelemd in a few recent try ons, and am hesitant to continue ...trying. Everything is so, so long, and not everything can be tailored to work well.

In the loose fit cords and so on, do you leave the bum uncovered or artfully draped?
I have some of the pull ons and they sag at the back in an unsightly way yet are still quite fitted at my waist.

I have only seen a few pictures posted in this thread, and you all look better than the models. For some reason I really don't think current shapes suit the typical modelesque form. Then again, they don't suit mine either!!

Also wanted to add, I love the recent Christmas paraphernalia. The russet, olive and wild orange hues, just beautiful. I am a sucker for paper art. Reasonably priced, in Toast terms, yet possibly a touch OTT if you are on a budget. I would most likely purchase a pile of these little doodads if i had my own home - am currently searching for a place after staying with family.

I wish they'd branch out into craft items such as paint, paper, notebooks, etc.

I have had a couple of lovely notebooks @Tsukiko . I use the paper in little craft projects. They did a sketch pad I think at one time.

I am the same height as you but I only find Gabis and Alix trouser shapes work for me. I quite like a long dress.

Hi, yes @OftenOrange , it looks good with slim trousers or tucked into skirts/baggier trousers. It’s definitely on the more generous side of true to size.

Grrr. I had to use a hotel washer and dryer and have shrunk what was a perfectly oversize emma. It was nice and slouchy over slouchy trousers. I used a cold wash gentle setting, which I would do at home, but I don't have a dryer at home so I'm guessing that's what shrunk it. I'm annoyed. It fits but has lost the useful shape. It's also now too a-line, so when I get home I'm going to have to straighten that as it's also shorter in the body and tighter on the arms, so the a-line looks silly. Before I alter it, is there any chance that I can stretch it whilst wet? Maybe somehow weigh down the hem?

@Tsukiko I’m the same height too, and just like @Countmeout I also like the Alix trousers - I find them the perfect cropped length on me, especially when wearing boots. I don’t own Gabi trousers, but I do also like my cropped Annie jeans. Generally, if the style says ‘cropped’ I find the length okay, but anything else I find too long. But I do generally prefer shorter trousers, so personal preference too.

I also enjoy long dresses, and I generally don’t mind where they fall on me. So I’m generally not bothered by the lengths stipulated.

Sorry @dudsville about your tee, hope someone here can advise on a fix.

@OftenOrange I wasn't particularly impressed by the 'dupes', either, but it was good in that it got me thinking about making. Toast pieces tend to look uncomplicated and simple, but I guess they're not, and that's what Toast is good at.

@Countmeout Yes, I think that sort of dress-making is way beyond my competency levels, and that does put me off trying. I have a habit of collecting lovely fabric and then doing nothing with it for years, because I'm worried I'll ruin it by cutting it badly, or making something I won't use.

Having said that, thanks to @clowniform I'm now off to look at the Merchant and Mills website! I have a couple of metres of wax print thats crying out to be used.

@Tsukiko I'm around the same height and really like the Gabi and Annie trews, but sometimes struggle with the longer, more voluminous styles. I have two Maya dresses and love wearing them, although cramming those sleeves into Cardis or jumpers is a challenge - better obvs with tanks.

@Tsukiko im 5’3 and I take all the dresses up. Not personally, a tailor. I haven’t taken up the cord pinafore one yet but I might have to. Adds a considerable cost!

Sorry for not tagging you properly before @No1Mousie but hope you find some nice things at M&M! I think Toast shapes are often very simple (albeit with clever design tweaks to proportion), but it's mainly the quality and colours of fabric that make it special. Sounds like you have the fabric part sorted though 😄

Although their sewing retreats are too rich for my blood too @ToastCosILoveIt I've been to their Rye shop twice and spent far more than planned each time, it's such a lovely town to mooch through and I'd had excellent lunches all of which had generated delusions of fanciness 😅I still mourn the closure of their Liberty concession. Your Barbour mini-closet sounds wonderful and I love that blouse! Is the fabric thinner/thicker than the Toast silk/linen jacquard this season?

@Saurus72 thank you, how incredible to see 100% wool fully lined at high street prices! Sadly while I don't WFH I do WIA (in academia) so also have little occasion for a very tailored aesthetic, will keep an eye out for sales.

@Tsukiko Maybe it's grass-is-greener talking but I think 5'4-5'5" the ideal Toast height. At least everything seems to hit my 5'4" mum in the right place going by item descriptions, rather than being a few inches off on the 5'7" models/me. I think she's only bought jackets/knits/the herringbone Coat this season though like PP she does have lots of Alix/Gabi/dresses from past years, not sure if it's because they've lengthened things or if she's being uncharacteristically sensible.

@OftenOrange you're right of course! I still think of The Coat as Your Coat btw 😆

@dudsville try pinning it to shape on a blocking mat (or stack of towels) while damp and leave to dry, may improve things? Ditto to @ScottishMouse if your jumper is still in need. I think a laundry mishap is the origin story of the wear-a-jumper-as-a-nonchalant-scarf trend, so you could always do that too 😁