Toasties - always here for the clothes and breadboard chat, (with fond memories of the dibber!)

[IlovePond]

Here’s a new thread!

@LizardQueeny I'm afraid I haven't got the boobs but as a lover of TOAST denim dresses- I have 3 I regularly rotate for work and would definitely buy another - this is a lovely one.

I follow all the Toast shops on instagram, as I like seeing items styled in different ways. I am noticing this afternoon that many of the shops are posting to say they will no longer be updating their individual accounts. I wonder why.

I’ve just had a look @ScottishMouse I assume this is a company policy. What a shame, I really like the individual store instagram posts.

Me too @Theteapotsbrokenspout

@Theteapotsbrokenspout @ScottishMouse I was just about to say this too! Very strange. I follow them all individually too and I also like to look back when lve bought something in the sale or second hand. Bit disappointing.

Also Kilver court! Where they announce sample sales

@Snowyowl78 yes! That's the only one I've seen and immediately thought of the sample sales.

I am disappointed by that too. I like seeing different things on different people . I am also disappointed that the live did not go ahead.

Have you seen the new Foundation edit on both the website and Instagram?

Oh - I wonder why the live didn't happen? I'm also sad, like Countmeout I really enjoyed seeing different ages and shapes styling things - very helpful!

I began to think I’d imagined the live, doesn’t seem to be another one scheduled either.

@LizardQueeny I have that pinafore dress and I also have boobs (36DD) and it works, it feels really comfortable in the chest area and then cinches in to the waist and I think it's quite flattering.

Oh crikey @ScottishMouse
That's a shame
Many a time I've seen something on a normal human not a model and it has inspired me to try it.
Meh not impressed, that was part of the Toast charm.

Foundation seems like a sensible idea but probably means those things will never hit the sale but not much I haven't got that's there or similar though
Perhaps this means fewer drops and S,S,A/W collections instead?

I'm heading to a point where £250 for one item is above my self imposed price range and unless something has super had it, I won't be replacing.
I care for my clothes so not likely
Have been unwell and MIA for a bit
Can't remember what purchases I've mentioned but I got the the red ribbon Gia and the striped cashmere wool half sleeve sweater in biscuit /anthracite came back onto stock in my size so I swooped.
I have both of the striped now and they are lovely , fit is on the neat side.
Not sure about the new collection, need to have a good look through but as I still have unworn summer dresses due to the miserable summer last year not sure I can justify anything else

Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell @Poplinskirt , hope you’re on the mend now.
Agree with what everyone is saying about the individual shops’ instagram pages, they were great for seeing things styled differently and on normal body shapes. I’m sad they won’t be there, but I think they may also have been somewhat enabling for me, there were times when I spotted something that I hadn’t otherwise considered.
My only order from the new stuff has been the Zoe fracap sandals, and they went back along with the Ola fracap sandals - both a bit narrow on my wide feet, but I also didn’t love the Zoe on, they were underwhelming. I also ordered, and am considering keeping, the loopback top in slate. It’s way too pricey for what it is, but I think would get lots of wear.
In non-Toast news, I wandered into Uniqlo today. We’ve only had one here for a few months and I have only been in once before (to buy the ubiquitous Uniqlo bag that everyone has). Today though I spotted and bought the soutien collar coat in black. I love the look of a trench but have always found they don’t suit me. This one has fewer “trench” features, but I think will be great for spring/autumn over pretty much anything.

I received my order from the new drop yesterday, unfortunately I’ve been so busy I’ve hardly had time to look at it. But I did try on the Olive stripe tee and I was pleasantly surprised, it’s a lovely soft fabric and looks really nice on me. I also tried on the Quilted wrap vest in honey, which I like a lot but I do need to try it with some other pieces in my wardrobe as it’s very expensive and I want to be sure it will work for me.

Hopefully tomorrow I should get a chance to try on the Washi skirt and green boxy tee.

Thanks @ScottishMouse
I'm much better thanks, just a really nasty virus doing the rounds

@Theteapotsbrokenspout I've got both colours in the stripe they are lovely and I nearly missed them!

Are Toast making a big play in Japan? That's what the Foundation series suggests to me. Would also explain the introduction of sizes 4 and 6 as well as 8, I can't imagine there's a huge market in the UK.

I wonder what their most popular size(s) are these days? I have a dress which isn't selling, for the first time ever, and wonder if it's just a less required size.

That would be an interesting choice @Stravaig

A couple of years ago I had my head bitten off in a London store when I enquired regarding new dresses and was told that collections aka drops were being reduced, it was to prevent waste blah blah greenwashing and sales would be reduced as a result.
I have a feeling they might pull some of the smaller shops and are trying to move back to a more exclusive brand with higher prices, fewer drops and sales.

I've ordered some summer things -ever the optimist, not dresses as I have enough but the navy gingham patch pocket trousers and the duffle blue sleeveless tank .
Will report back!

Just had a look at the Foundation stuff - I was surprised at some of the choices. I understand the inclusion of the Alix trousers and the Lia tee, but all those barrel trousers are very much ‘of the moment’ and absolutely not suitable for everyone.

Re: Japan

Imo, Toast will have to produce a range in shorter lengths, with much smaller sizes, if they want to significantly impact the market there - I’m only 5’4” and I absolutely towered over 90% of the girls/women I came across during my visits. (For someone on the shorter side for the UK, it was a weird experience being the ‘tall’ one.)

@IlovePond that would be good for me! I have to shorten about 80% of dresses and I can’t do it myself. I don’t think they should shorten trousers though they are already very short. Did they open a shop in Japan? I know they are keen on USA at the moment. I’m hoping for some expansion into Europe!

@ScottishMouse I’ve been on the lookout (online) for a neutral trench that would at least be slightly water resistant in spring, and came across that Uniqlo coat. I decided against it because I couldn’t tell what the material really looked like - it’s so tough to tell if there’s a sheen or not. Have really struggled to find other viable options that aren’t super spendy, and that isn’t the Sezane Clyde that seems a nice shape but is everywhere on IG (and I’m guessing not rain friendly).

@FitzLea there is no sheen at all. I like the fabric, it feels like a shower would be ok but not a downpour, and it looks quite matte but is also soft. I am not describing it well, but it might be worth a try.

Like you @IlovePond I was surprised at the barrel leg/twisted seam type of trousers in the Foundations.

Dreadful weather in Malaga and my checked trousers have been really useful as it’s definitely not shorts weather.

The other evening I saw a Japanese lady wearing the most beautifully cut raincoat. It was something along the lines of the cotton poplin shirt dress/tunic in a dark dark navy but without a collar . It wasn’t quite the same but definitely had the same feeling. It looked marvellous.

Thanks @ScottishMouse I’m glad it’s not got any sheen. I might give it a try and hope it ticks the boxes for me.

@Stravaig - I think Toast have/have done a pop up in Tokyo to test the market.

Thinking of Japan, I went to Uniqlo today, (I know some of us really like their stuff). I picked up one of these to wear as a jacket:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E475270-000/00?

I really don’t need another cord jacket or another green jacket, but I couldn’t resist at £12.90! My shop only had XS, S and XL so I got a S, which is a bit, well, small 😹 but I figured it looked good open. I dithered between brown and the green - both looked good but left the brown behind because I already have the orange cord women’s jacket from their autumn collection, (and the blue one 🙀). I am wishing I had bought both now, but never mind.

I also rang Kilver Court today. No news as yet on a sample sale, but I will keep you informed if I hear anything different!