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

[Countmeout]

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

Sample sale alert from SM

@Netcam - yes, we might do that.

I love your storage - thanks for sharing!

I must have a clear out and be more organised 🙀

Well, DH and I have a small wardrobe each. And we have 2 chests of drawers, in which DH has one drawer in each and I have the rest!

We did a storage swap, I had a big clear out in other parts of the house to give him extra space for his vinyl and CDs. In return I got most of the clothes drawers.

Our bedroom is quite small, but we have the bed central in the room to maximise space for furniture.

I’ve seen a dress I quite like on a vintage site. It’s the Ora with a tie neck-looks quite cute. Does anyone on here have any knowledge of how it fits? I’m 1.6m and size 10-worried it might drown me.

Yes @Rosescountrylifecottage. I was slightly horrified by the thought, but they are too tiny to see and it seemed to work. This is where I got them - dragonfli.co.uk/collections/clothes-moths/products/clothes-moth-egg-sachets?src=GAds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC6uhq5jg40QwbAUcuopYnriSq6tF&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpP3esNKkiQMV5JdQBh2P8hypEAAYASAAEgIMP_D_BwE

Has anyone been to a sample sale at SM before? I’m just wondering what the prices are like roughly and if it’s worth the journey.

@CyanDuck - yes, worth the journey - I did a day trip from London last time, (admittedly a bit of a weird thing to do 🙀)

Prices vary - I got a long-sleeved linen tee for £20 and a long sleeved cotton tee for £22. There was a Donegal jumper for £50.

It depends on what you’re looking for. Sizes are often XS/S. Shoes might have a strap missing, gowns a belt, etc. 😹But usually the sales are pretty good.

Is there a sample sale soon?

@IlovePond yes! See my post a bit further down. This Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I went to the London one a few years ago and that was amazing, so many dresses for £40 each! Just trying to decide if it’s worth spending my Friday morning going and the four hour round trip 🤔

Thanks @mizu - I missed your earlier post.

Currently I am trying to persuade DH that going home from York area via Shepton Mallet is a viable option. (The one time we’re away at the other end of the country- it’s the first time we’ve been north rather than via SM for ages😹 - there’s a sale!)

@CyanDuck - I was at that pop up too. No, the SM sales are not on that scale of fabulousness and value, but there will be some bargains. I’ve seen people at SM sales buy half the stock, others turn up their noses at everything and come out empty-handed - there’s no guarantees 🙀

I'm currently rearranging my schedule to go as I did get a couple of nice things there last time and it's quite fun after the initial - albeit it small - frenzy. Journey probs a 3 hour round trip.

I think I’m experiencing a slight style/wardrobe malfunction - have spent a lot of time recently clearing my (already very small) wardrobe as I find myself reaching for the same few items.

@faustina the striped alpaca sweater seems useful - have you decided to keep it? I have been hoping it might go on some previous sales…I’ve ordered the Orla oatmeal sweater, but I suspect the sleeves will be too long on me.

I was wondering whether anyone has the Blackhorse Lane jeans?

I’ve been to KC a couple of times, I also asked them about sizes last time and they said that it was generally 8-12. In terms of shoes was mainly 4-5’s. Prices aren’t super cheap but good value. My most favourite thing is finding a sample which is a different variation on the one they actually released at Toast. Eg. A lovely jacket they released in cream only I found in navy, then I found the indigo tie jumpsuit in a different fabric to the one they released- almost the sample but thinner and more supple. There is always lots of pyjamas and nightwear. I also got an amazing cardigan which is still online (Kaia I think) for a great price.

That was meant to say ‘almost the same’

@FitzLea I was also hoping it might appear in a sale for ages. then I whittled my wardrobe down to the extent that I could justify a new jumper and thought sod it. I seem to have more success buying full price lately, than mass ordering sale stuff that doesn't fit(anyone!) or has holes in or is almost right but not quite.
It is lovely and I think I will keep it, but it's really warm here - 17 degrees today - and I find it hard to decide when it's such unseasonable weather!

I wish I lived nearer to Kilver Court - the sales sound fabulous. Hope you all have wonderful luck finding treasures there!

@faustina I think I’m only realising this now - I’ve always avoided full price (and stuck to sales and resale sites) well because my budget is limited, but i’ve ended up with so much in my wardrobe I just don’t wear and not 100% sold on. I’ve also struggled to find a ‘style’ I find comfortable and even colours I like wearing, hence the major clear out. I’m really trying to be focused and intentional now, and maybe I do need to pay full price for items I think I would prefer. Sorry for the ramble, and thanks for your feedback re the sweater too.

@FitzLea - I'm just the same! But the trousers I bought recently ( check alix) have swayed me into new territory. Not quite cold enough for the wax green gabis to come into their own yet, but the alixes are working hard in my wardrobe and to me, worth paying full price. I've had more compliments wearing those recently than anything for ages! I've been selling 'almost right' things on Vinted and cost-wise it's really evening out the extra money

We must be a different species. I've not worn my new Gabis yet because I've been thinking it's too cold and was thinking I might start wearing them in the spring! I've been wearing a wool dress, wool tights and a wool overshirt all week.

@netcam - it was 17 degrees here today! I wore a tshirt and a cardigan/jacket thing and I was hot!

The weather is very odd - I was relieved this morning when there was an autumnal crispness in the air.

At the last sample sale I got a sample grey checked linen jacket for £50, not realising it was full price on a rail nearby as it was current stock. I really like it and have worn it a lot. The time before that I got the linen lime/black check dress from a couple of years ago for something ridiculous like £15. But they are the exception- most stuff is not current stock or is the wrong size for me. I agree there is usually a fair bit of nightwear and I got a great gown in April to match the pjs and nightie I already had.

I am seriously considering driving from my holiday in North Yorks, home to the SE via Shepton Mallet on Friday. (I am aware that this is quite deranged…)

Package from Toast arrived today.

Keepers: quilt is gorgeous and I love the Alpaca Arm Warmers (got both colours).

Returners: wool cashmere wrap is lovely but the pumpkin colour is too muted for me (looks much brighter online - knew was risk but wanted to try) and the Knitted Hood just doesn't suit me.

Reporting back from the frontline of the Kilver Court sample sale (I only live 40 mins away).

I wouldn’t say there was much there. I got a striped half-sleeve cashmere jumper for £65 but it was the only one - apart from that the only knitwear was one or two cardigans and cotton jumpers. However, there are lots of dresses (summery) and coats (wintry), plus a reasonable number of tops and shirts. Only had a quick look at shoes/sandals but they seemed to be mainly sizes 3,4, 7. The sample clothes mostly don’t have sizes in, which I actually found really liberating for trying on.

Not a lot of menswear but there were trousers, some gorgeous chunky jumpers and the odd cashmere one (£95 from £225) and some scarves for £70.

So, not sure if it’s worth a long trip. However, the outlet stuff that they always have there seemed better than usual. I got some lovely cream carpenter jeans for £65 and the softest ever pyjamas for (eek!) £85. Not a bargain really, as they were £125 new but I couldn’t resist and will be doing some heavy-duty lounging in them this winter. They also had lots of that gorgeous coat trimmed with blanket stitching - I didn’t check the price I’m afraid but half price seems to be standard for outlet stuff.

I’d say, if you live nearby, go! If not, you’re not missing a great deal. And if they’re not restocking, there probably won’t be much left by Sunday.

Just finished my shop up at Kilver Court. It was well worth the 2 hour trip. Bought a lovely cotton jacket, blue wool coat and 4 tops, long and short sleeves. For me a fabulous haul, I'm borderline Toast 12 to 14 and there was a good selection. The outlet was very well stocked but I didn't want to spend too much as off on holiday next month.
Just having lunch then off to Cos in Bath as our local one has just closed down.

Kilver Court used to do phenomenal Paul Smith sales. Everything was a standard price - e.g. T-shirts £10, dresses £40 - and they would restock regularly. Plus there were cheap bags, belts, scarves, socks etc that were great for Christmas presents. Those were the days ... Hope KC will be restored to its former glory soon

I too had a successful Kilver trip. Despite telling myself on the journey there to not even look at the knitwear, a lovely green jumper was the 1st thing I picked off the rail ☺️

Two denim skirts that will last and last and a dress.

Wanted a couple of summer things too but put them back reminding myself just to think of deep winter 😁

The jumper seems to be a particularly good bargain as the woman at the till told me it was current season. £185 to £55.

I didn't think they had as much stock as last time which was May I think.