I’m going to be honest - one of the reasons I stopped wearing Toast clothes rather more than a decade ago was that they were awful for my more mature persona. I ordered a dress, because I adored the fabric - but when I put it on I was horrified. I have no fear at all of looking my age but I never ever want to look downtrodden and dowdy, which is what it did to me. That particular combination of high, wide neckline, narrow shoulders, just below elbow length sleeves, square bodice, gathered skirt hanging limply at an undefined length around my legs … Just dreadful on me. I didn’t recognise my own posture, jawline, attitude. I couldn’t send it back fast enough, and almost ran back to, on the one hand Raey @ Matches and Net-a-Porter sales, and on the other, Top Shop and Zara for joyful frippery. The relief.
I do get the comfort and familiarity of the Toast wardrobe - but those shapes and proportions are not necessarily going to make everyone feel their best and most stylish self in middle age. They’re not how I see myself in my sixth decade, and I’ll only buy clothes there that speak to my idealised Petar Petrov crossed with Cecilie Bahnsen vision of myself.
I definitely concur with the need for a revision of one’s diet in mid-life though it can take a few years of experimentation to arrive at what suits you best.