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

[IlovePond]

Here’s a new thread!

I see all the instagram accounts of the individual stores have now stopped pairing. Someone commented on what a shame this was on my local store’s account (Edinburgh), and the response from Toast hq is so bland and missing the point. ☹️

I do wonder what is going on with the store instagrams - I also loved the individual styling that we got to see. It’s such a shame! And the generic replies to all the queries makes me feel it is a corporate branding exercise at the very least…

Do we know the reason? All the Instagram accounts seem to have the same message?

Do they maybe think the shops are not presenting the image they want?
I like to see different people in different things and how they style them.

The message was that the stores will still show their content but on the main Toast account .

I don’t think by any stretch of the imagination that the main Toast account will host the volume of posts put out by the stores. It sounds like they want to control what we see and I am not happy about that.

Finally managed to try on all my order that arrived Thursday.
The Washi skirt is lovely, a good weight and the right length for me, even though I’m not a big skirt person it’s definitely a keeper.
Both the tees are staying, Boxy Tee in Washi Green and Olive Stripe Collar Tee.

But the Quilted Wrap Vest is going back. It’s a lovely piece but I couldn’t get the square shape to work on my narrow shoulders. I did consider sizing down but at that price I have decided to give it a miss. I will probably give the Anthracite Waistcoat a try instead.

I think it’s a shame they are losing the individual store instagrams. They were quirky and individual, with personality, and brought warmth to the brand.
Glad you found some keepers @Theteapotsbrokenspout!

Thanks for the report on the Washi skirt, @Theteapotsbrokenspout . I’ve got my eye on that too. How’s the sizing on that and the green t-shirt?

@shrinkingthiswinter I would say the skirt is true to size. I’m a busty 12 and I found the Washi green tee a nice oversized boxy fit. I wouldn’t want it any smaller although you could size down if you wanted it more fitted.

Kilver Court have told me their sample sales will now be advertised through their events page.

Thanks @mizu - let’s hope that KC start updating their pages more regularly. (Their circa 2021 Xmas Craft fair and Toast’s 2022 Easter sample sale were still on there for years afterwards!)

I’ve ordered three boat neck tees this am. I wore my navy one at the weekend and realised how flattering the neckline is and how good the overall cut is. Toast definitely do a good teeshirt.

@ToastCosILoveIt what sort of weight is the fabric? I really miss the Emma tees.

Hi there, they are definitely a thicker material than some of the short sleeved tee shirts, fairly neatly cut too.

One hit and one miss with my parcel.
The Navy gingham patch pocket trousers are lovely, not pyjamery at all which was my worry.
I'm a 10/12 and small was a nice fit
The duffel blue sleeveless tank showed half my bra at the side - not a great design unless you are completely flat chested and don't wear one.
Really thoughtless designing IMHO.
I hate seeing bits of underwear poking out so back it went.

I was in the Harrogate store yesterday, and I think it was the first time there hasn't been loads of stuff I wanted to try on. Does anyone have any ideas about where I might be able to buy Toast type dresses but in much better material? I was sure I would buy the olive coloured linen shirt dress. The colour and style were beautiful, but you can see through the fabric when it's on. I don't want to have to wear a petticoat in summer!
Some of the trousers looked quite good but toast trousers aren't a good fit on me. Unfortunately a lot of the dresses I already own also aren't a good fit because I've lost a lot of weight.
Please help dress me! (In dresses)
The other thing I couldn't help noticing was that I was the only customer in there, with 3 staff. The rails seemed a bit sparse, and they didn't even have everything out. I had to ask to try the Freya crinkle dress which they did have but didn't have one on display.

That’s disappointing @oddandelsewhere I hope Toast haven’t lost their way. I’m finding some of the prices a bit hard to swallow.
I can’t help with dresses I’m afraid. I did visit the Carrier Company hoping to buy a workwear jacket but all their styles were unisex and too wide on the shoulders for me, as well as buttoning up the men’s way.

@Theteapotsbrokenspout I don't like buttons on the wrong side either!
I agree with you about pricing. I didn't mind paying nearly £200 for the olive linen dress, but for that it would need not to be see through. A deeper hem would also have made it hang better. I think Toast design has changed, and presumably they will lose some customers but gain others, so I understand that. My problems with them are just that, my problems!
I like sleeves, don't like poplin (too much ironing), don't like side or back splits (They always tear) ,don't suit tunic styles because I have broad bony shoulders so they are too tent like, and really don't like brown, beige or sludge (I'm looking at you, pear!) Not mad on the slate grey colour either.
My fantasy dresses are weighty linen with a lot of fabric in the skirt, lower calf length and with at least elbow sleeves. Colours for me need to be greens, mustards, orange, rust or French blue. Surely I can't be the only person who doesn't suit grey and cream (South Asian heritage) I do suit navy and black, but promised my husband I'd stop buying black clothes!

Sadly I can’t say I am particularly interested in much on offer from Toast atm, and I am very much objecting to the drop in quality/increase in prices/poor seasonal sales!

There are some things I like, of course - for example, this jumper - but it will be a cold day in hell before I drop £395 on a woolly:

https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-knitwear/products/flecky-wool-cashmere-high-neck-sweater-emerald

There was a similar one in dark blue that I tried on in York in October. I liked it so much that I would have been willing to pay £200 if it had appeared reduced in the sale. As it happened, the sale was rubbish, and the jumper sold out anyway, (so some people are obviously willing to spend that sort of money 😹)

On a related note: Toast’s obsession with running with only ‘one style at a time’ drives me mad. For example, not everyone suits/wants/can wear boxy, short jumpers and cardigans, but that’s all Toast have been offering for a few years now. Same with the long dresses, (but I happen to like those!)

I agree that the latest season offers little that I am interested, which is very good for my wallet. I have bought two things though - the red fig linen cotton jumper and the ikat indigo and white trousers. They are both gorgeous. Going to wear the trousers in Portugal at Easter and the jumper has already been worn to school (teacher). There is nothing I would bother with in the sale when it comes, have few wardrobe gaps now, so I am going on a no buy for as long as I can stretch it out.

I received the Anthracite Waistcoat yesterday which I am keeping. I'm still disappointed that the Quilted wrap vest didn't work for me, but it was so expensive I certainly didn't want it sitting in my wardrobe unworn.

I’m glad (but also not glad) to see I’m not the only one not keen on much at the moment. I went to try on some trousers this week and ended up trying on a lot of things (mostly to take note for sale time), and nothing worked, for one reason or another. I’ve noticed in the last 6-12 months that my wardrobe is less Toast-heavy (where for some years it was pretty much 100% Toast), and my favourite Toast pieces are older ones.

I agree @ScottishMouse All my favourite pieces are oldies!

I am currently wearing my first ever Toast jumper - blue jacquard from five years ago. I love it and it was ‘only’ £155 or thereabouts, (I paid £115 in the 2020 sale). The same thing nowadays would be three inches shorter and double the price!

Thinking of favourites, what are everybody’s Toast treasures?

Here’s mine in each category:

Red floral pjs, nightie and gown - first ever Toast purchases (2019???)
Pond dress (obviously!)
Blue jacquard jumper, (tied with burgundy fisherman’s jumper)
Blue coatigan
Blue cord shirt, (I’d forgotten I owned this 🙈)
Blue thick cotton short Japanese socks
Garment dyed collared tee shirt in orange, (I have lots of the other colours too)
Black coffee linen trousers when new (they have NOT worn well)
Grey linen jacket
Olive crinkle skirt with pockets
Mustard/orange cotton scarf with bobbles
Brown/cream tam
Grey mohair blanket
Woven basket Kindred gift
Christmas: Furoshiki boxes

I don’t own a Toast coat, (and, if prices continue to rocket, I never will), or any of the belts, jewellery, footwear or bags.

All of the above were sale or sample sale purchases or from the Ukraine pop up, (except for the free Kindred gift).

This Jacket popped up in an email today. I don’t remember seeing it before so it must be an addition to the 'New In' - £££ again though.