toasties going into,summer . No end to,us.

[Countmeout]

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Yes funny timing for a drop. I looked back and there was an early autumn drop in July last year.

Weather has been rubbish. I’ve only worn the heavier summer stuff so far. Off on holiday at the end of this week. Have packed the blue striped poplin dress which there was a real gap in my wardrobe for as no find a great many of the dresses too heavy/dark for holiday. Also packed the khaki version of my triangle dress-eBay purchase , the poplin sleeveless blouse from last year and the space check shorts. Otherwise this year I’ve bought cheaper things that are thinner/lighter than Toast but satisfied my desire for something new.

I noticed while poking around this morning there’s a holiday wardrobe live coming up on Friday.

Agree that it does not motivate you to buy summer things when it's lashing down with rain outside. Haven't even got my summer clothes out yet, latest year ever.
Currently sat in my Gabi cords, shirt and Alpaca jerkin 😅

I agree with you all....this weather is seriously reining in my spending. I'm living in my indigo twill Alix trousers and various slubby cotton tops (mostly long sleeved) often with my blue sideline cardigan. I'd originally given that cardigan the moth treatment and packed it away for Autumn, but ended up taking it away to Norfolk this weekend where it hardly left my back!

Same with footwear, I can't get excited about sandals at the moment. I'm mainly in Novesta plimsols or my fracap mules. I ordered some lovely sandals from Penelope Chilvers recently but they rubbed my ankles so they went back. I think it's my dodgy bony ankles rather than the style as I had a similar issue with some sandals I ordered in one of the Toast sales a while back. Now due to lack of sun and considerable rain, I just can't be bothered to keep looking. I suspect I'll just wear my extensive Saltwater collection and Havaianas if the sun does put in an appearance.

Like others when I unpacked my summer clothes recently, I just have so many Toast warm weather dresses, I just don't need more. I doubt I'll wear even half of them if this weather continues. I do fancy trying the garment dyed linen Short jumpsuit though..although £150 for something I'd wear so little seems steep. Maybe I'd think about it if it was reduced in a sale. I do like the colours though....maybe if the sun comes out?

Just been into the Oxford store and had a lovely reception from the staff there who were so helpful.

I bought a long Kantha coat and the blue apron dress which they said was selling out fast. I also wanted the striped poplin dress but they didn't have it in my size. I had a 20% discount which they said could only be applied once. Which meant I could either use it in the store or for my online order of the poplin dress. Obviously I wanted 20% on all the items so they kindly ran up customer services, explained the situation and the CS kindly agreed to give me 20% both online and in store.

Excellent customer service.

@AmethystMoonShine Unfortunately Norfolk wasn’t the place to be this bank holiday. I live here and it was a miserable, cold, wet weekend and I spent most of my time wrapped up in layers or waterproofs rather than my lovely new (and old) Toast summer clothes.

@Theteapotsbrokenspout It certainly wasn't - mind you I only live in Suffolk so I'm not sure it would have been much better if I'd stayed at home. My MIL had better weather on the south coast.

Since we moved to Suffolk (I'm right on the Suffolk/Norfolk border) it always seems we get less rain and more sun than others across the country..but not so far this year!

@SaffyRosie The Oxford branch staff are pretty consistently friendlier and more helpful than any other Toast shop I go to. The London ones are the worst for some reason. It always puzzles me as I am generally wearing Toast and so it's not like I don't look as though I'd buy anything?!

I was recently in the Mayfair and Marylebone stores and was very unimpressed. The Oxford branch that I visited only about a week afterwards was better stocked too. The shops were equally (not very/at all) busy so it can't be that.

I wonder what Bettina could possibly have said that meant MNHQ needed to hide it???

Fellow Suffolk resident here to confirm that it has rained almost every single day since forever. My garden is looking very green but that's the only good thing I can say about it

I wondered that @faustina 🤔.

My potatoes look the best they ever have, normally I’m watering like mad by now, certainly no need this year. But the weeds 🙈.

I wondered too... let's see what happens to this one

@AmethystMoonShine - Mayfair shop staff were pretty friendly/helpful this weekend. Marylebone staff were ok.

Mind you, compared to the Marylebone Me + Em store, Toast shops in London are havens of welcoming friendliness and attentive service.

Re the novesta plimsoles what’s the sizing like and how comfy are they ? Hopefully more support than converse. I’m a 5.5. Better to get a 5 or a 6 ?

That’s good to hear @Stoic123, glad you had a positive experience.

Ha ha yes compared to Me+Em, Toast is totally welcoming 😂

Shame, as years ago there was a little Me+Em in Guildford and they were lovely.

@EffieeBriest I'm a 5.5 and my Novestas are a size 6 - they're big but too big. Unfortunately, though they look lovely, I'd say they were the least supportive of any of my trainers/plimsoles - not much padding in the soles at all. If they have the colour you're looking for in the Springcourts they're my most comfortable pair

Ah thanks @faustina that’s a shame. I was going to take them on hols and do a fair bit of walking ! They look very padded !

I don’t find them comfortable either @EffieeBriest .
And Springcourts didn’t work for me either - nipped at the toes and I sold them on.

... but if they're as big on you as they are on me, you could definitely try an insole if you plan to walk a lot?

@faustina @Countmeout @EffieeBriest i found them really uncomfortable, somehow short in height it that makes sense. Didn’t fit my feet. They seem very popular though.

has anyone seen this on vinted - loads of brand new stuff keeps turning up?! https://www.vinted.co.uk/member/162341829-teresadawes

Thanks for the opinions. Think it’s a miss for me. As I’ll be buying online too much faff having to return them.

@Snowyowl78 yes! I've seen. And a couple of things sold too. She seems to have good reviews but it's a bit odd. The dress she was selling is the one I've got my eye on, stripe block print.

@mizu she had the new crinkle cut top in Puck earlier which I had my eye on but it’s gone now. It’s a bit strange, loads of new stock!

Reporting in on Alix and Gabi sizing for anyone who needs to know.
Gabis seem the same as ever, as others have said. As a result, I am kind of between sizes so these are going back.
Alix are as unpredictable as always. I have some old indigo ones in 6, some newer (but not newest) indigo ones in 8 which are smaller than the 6, and I have two pairs of cotton linen in different colours in 8, one of which is at least a size bigger than the other. I ordered the slate cotton linen and the garment dyed stripe indigo both in S. They are bigger than my smaller pairs and smaller than my biggest pair, mostly I am finding they are narrower in the hip area but bigger on the waist. I think I might need to try the xs. I suspect they will be too small, but I am worried these will stretch a little and become very baggy on the bum…I find this happens with all my Alixes, but I have a small backside. Why do they make it so difficult to figure out sizes??

@ScottishMouse that’s quite a range of difference between sizes! It’s crackers isn’t it. I ordered the Cumin raincoat today to try on in prep for the sale. Website says L/XL but when looking at sizes I went for the S/M as it’s larger than my Barbour Bedale, according to the Toast measurement chart anyway. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m finding that the True Fit thing seems to be working for me in the newer stuff but is waaaay out on the older stuff. Although the size charts are so inconsistent with what measurements are provided per garment it’s often pot luck. Maybe it’s a game that we don’t know we’re playing? 🤔

Please suggest a light facial moisturiser containing both spf30+ and a greenish tint.
I have a pink and white skin which changes to a ruddy farmer look as soon as ( if! ) the sun comes out. I'd rather stay pale and interesting but need help.
Tia