Toasties can we go on chatting forever? Looks like it!

[Countmeout]

New thread. Woke (blooming cat) to find it’s nearly full.

Oh gosh, I did5 realise you had to have your stuff over at the door @IlovePond. I’m glad I didn’t go to the one in Edinburgh this week so. The last one I went to, I went home with the things I brought with me, as they were in much better condition than anything else there.

Goodness I would hate that . What if you never found a swop?

Hi @ScottishMouse - that is certainly what was implied by the information about the event as I read it. I could be wrong, (or Toast intend for that to happen, but then people don’t hand stuff over straightaway anyway). That’s why I would like to know if anyone has been, so I can be prepared!

Having said that, some people don’t seem to mind just handing their stuff over to Toast, so maybe it will pan out like that. (Take the Reworn scheme, for example- I suspect most of the things on the site have been taken from the Circle rails.)

The last Circle event I went to, one person came in with armfuls of beautiful things, (of course, just as I was heading out, having done a couple of semi reluctant swaps). She said breezily to just give her some tickets because she was in a rush - a handful of the high value tickets were given and she waltzed out leaving Toast with clothes with an original price of probably £1000+.

I can’t imagine being that indifferent to parting with things like that! (But then, I am a bit of a hoarder…)

My order arrived and keeping 🙂
The Gia irregular print blouse is lovely and the beige section is a lovely pale olive green which is a great contrast to the pop of turquoise, so a nice surprise.
That's my 6th Gia
Tried to get a pic but it comes up greige, it's absolutely a green

@FitzLea the full length Annie's I sized up to a 12 based on reviews as usually a 10 in the cropped, fit is the same
They are perfect as an everyday trouser and just long enough on me.
I do prefer a slouchier length but actually this is more practical for the winter as I don't want the hems sloshing around if it's wet and it sits nicely on my summer sandals.
Will probably get another pair.
The socks are lovely.
All in all a successful order

@Poplinskirt - what socks did you get? Love a good Toast pair.

What a success @Poplinskirt, and thanks for the feedback regarding the Annies. I hadn’t had a moment to report back on here yet, but I managed to get to my local yesterday to try them on and look at the new bits. I ended up buying them, but then got home to try them on with my boots and trainers and I think they might be a bit long for my taste - I’m the opposite to you, and really don’t like the slouch much on my shorter frame. I intend on returning them and hoping to exchange them for the cropped style (and will hope this pair will hold its shape).

I also tried on both indigo coats - I thought the pea coat enormous on me, but I did like the short boiled wool style @ScottishMouse. I wasn’t sure it’s 100% on me, as I was wearing summery clothes, so might be one to order and try on at home once the cold hits and I’ve wrapped my head around what I need.

I’m still working on building up my jumper wardrobe, but I saw this cardigan and thought it absolutely lovely. It’s not one I’d consider after seeing it online, but it really caught my eye in-store.

I kept an eye out for the knitted neckerchiefs, but they didn’t have the tawny colour in stock, and neither of the other colours would work for me.

I got the Herringone stitch socks in the paler colour
So soft and a nice little treat

@Fitzlea
Am very pleased after a couple of dud orders!
Hope you get on with these Annie's, glad I tried this length again

On the subject of sweaters
I got 2 very nice cashmere jumpers from John Lewis , the toast colour and the same shape in a stripe
Have always found theirs is nice quality for the price
These are a nice boxy shape to sit on the waist band of wide leg trews or a skirt

Thanks @Poplinskirt, always nice to get non-Toast recommendations on here too - will take a look.

On this note, I hope people don’t mind, but I wanted to ask where might be best to look for joggers and sweatshirts. Last autumn I got a set from Hush, but it was unwearable by the third wash. I can’t stand it when joggers go baggy at the knee!

Given up on Toast shirts, I’ve sent back the M chambray shirt - much too big and so creased when it arrived I was completely put off it.
I have ordered bed linen instead, the original ecru and graphite as I’m not so keen on the new colours.

@FitzLea I ordered that last week and it arrived today.
It's a very nice fit, I ordered medium for my 12 to 14 size.
I tried to take a photo but cannot capture the green, rather oddly it comes out slightly golden.
It has flecks of amber, a light grey and a lime yellow.
It's pretty close to the colour displayed online, and thankfully, not a bright acid lime, a more saturated colour.
I have added the pics to show the flecks and texture.
Oops just reread your post and you've already seen in real life!

@FitzLea - depending on colours for your joggers, ninety percent do great quality but very limited colours. Le Bon Shoppe have a huge selection of colours in their balloon pants which are sort of elevated and really nice sweatpants, plus matching tshirts and sweatshirts, and finally Ivy tees do great quality sweatshirts
https://ivyt.co.uk

https://lebonshoppe.com

They stock le Bon Shoppe at Mercantile London and various other uk sites

@FitzLea I like Arket’s sweatshirts. No ide about joggers though.

@AvaGardens I think it’s the colour that attracted me (and the sweet collar), absolutely beautiful.

@faustina I have the arc trousers, but have not considered their lounge wear so thanks, will take a look. I remember now you mentioned Ivy for summer tees not too long ago, so thanks for the reminder.

@ScottishMouse thanks for your suggestion too.

I really love Navygrey sweatshirts (and jumper for that matter), but they do seem quite pricey.

Evening, all - just popped on to say that I went to the meet and greet thingy at Toast Richmond today. It was very interesting.

Things I learnt:

Toast are looking to further expand sustainability and longevity and to move away from China - this last due to customer feedback
Reworn is here to stay and is proving popular
No plans to reintroduce swimwear
Work on standardising/improving sizing continues - Toast feel that trouser sizings in particular are now as they should be
Toast is currently looking for ‘New Makers’ - if anyone knows any suitable candidates- please encourage them to apply

Re: Evening Circles and the new booking system:

Toast are trying out new times/organisation in order to give customers a better experience - I got the impression they may adjust timings/arrangements for the next tranche depending on feedback.

Things I wanted:

All the scarves! I particularly liked the mustard boiled wool one and was strangely drawn to the woolly bandana thingy in either orange or taupe/fawn/greige???

The dark green cord pinafore with pockets.

The orange/black coat.

The winter nightwear range: It’s in lovely muted colours and soft cotton. I am not a fan of crinkled cotton, (scared of shrinkage), but this stuff is NICE!

I also really like the new jumper from Ecuador, (same makers as last season’s green one). It seems longer than the last one and less boxy. Still £395, though, sadly!

Thank you @IlovePond - useful info.

@IlovePond going to see if can find that green cord pinafore on the website now!

It’s lovely irl @mizu - soft and a dark, mossy green.

I had such a nice time today. Everyone was really friendly.

I didn’t try anything on as it was quite busy but I have added lots of things to my wish list!

It’s a shame I managed to drop my Toast gift that we were given for attending onto the driveway when I got home 🙀. It’s chipped, but still useable, which I suppose is something!

Thanks @IlovePond sounds like a good evening.
Interesting about the trousers sizes.

The case of the disappearing reviews.
Yesterday my 3 star review of the cotton linen twill shirt was published, another similar review was posted regarding the gaping, button placement and unsuitability for anyone with a larger bust. Both of us said 'No, would not recommend to a friend'.
Today both reviews have disappeared with only 5 star positive reviews remaining published.
I also notice a 1 star review on the Wool flannel culottes is no longer there.
WTF Toast!

@Theteapotsbrokenspout that's so disappointing about the reviews, I rely on them a lot because we live quite a distance from a shop. It's just not helpful not to give positive AND negative feedback.

I think it must be a new thing I have had reviews published before when I criticised pattern placement, the construction of collars and other issues and had them printed. I even won the prize draw for reviewers once!

@Theteapotsbrokenspout
It’s very disappointing that Toast are curating reviews now, I’ve always appreciated their so called transparency about negative reviews and quite often decided to order and make up my own mind despite them.
@IlovePond
Your Richmond experience sounds lovely , interesting to hear their game plan especially with regard to Chinese manufacture . I was very put off Toast when I started seeing Made in China everywhere, when I commented as such on their Facebook page they replied with details of how ethical it all was . I think they play the ethical card purely because of attracting customers rather than out of a sincere desire to save the planet and improve working conditions….well I guess that’s business and I need to wake up !
@AvaGardens Loving that knit , especially the collar ; the colour and texture look very like my tie neck cardi from 2 years ago . I do love their Donegal colours .

@OftenOrange @oddandelsewhere I'm hoping it's just a blip and the reviews will reappear - I rely on these as well, surely it will just result in more returns.

@Theteapotsbrokenspout Even I'm shocked by that! Such a monumentally stupid short-sighted thing to do. Once customers start equating Toast with dishonesty, we'll not believe a single claim they make. All that pretty marketing guff for naught.

@oddandelsewhere I always wondered if that draw actually existed, not a single win over decades of reviews. Congratulations to you!

I notice my glowing review of the pouring bowl is still there.

@Stravaig you could have knocked me over with a feather when I won! I had to phone customer services to claim it and I even checked that the phone number was the same on the website as the email I was so sure it was a scam.