I have had a little foray into the Hampstead and Islington Toast shops and bought on and tried a few things on my wish list.
The Mifuko straw bag lives up to the hype, smaller than I had thought but super sturdy and a great holiday/summer bag. As one of the reviews says, it is very dense so hopefully will cope with carrying a few things. The natural dye stripe gathered neck blouse in tumeric is lovely, comes up big so a size down is advised. The matching dress wasn’t in store in a 12 in tumeric so I tried on the indigo version for size and have ordered the tumeric one online.
I tried the fish top and loved it but the colouring did nothing for me. I would say it is true to size and the armholes aren’t too low. I felt it had a slightly greyer hue than the photos suggested but I know others have found it true to colour. The white embroidered blouse looked lovely in store although I didn’t try it on. Loved the green pleated raised stripe skirt and the linen cotton striped green vest. The vest feels amazing, like it has been home knitted, but being linen would be cool in the heat. The poplin trousers are an acquired taste: I tried on the navy ones - very full but flattering around the waist. I may yet go back for them.
The wide leg cotton linen twill trousers in warm sand are a delight and give the appearance of a flat stomach (who knew, being menopausal). Definitely one to size down on again - a 10 fits perfectly and a 12 would have swamped, didn’t even try the 12s on although I had them in the changing room with me.
i didn’t like the look of the table setting dress, perhaps because I knew the colour would wash me out. The patchwork strip top in sable is fabulous and, in my view, true to size. It is substantial, not flimsy cotton, and will look great with jeans or a denim skirt. I couldn’t get the matching skirt to work - lots of fabric and very lumpy looking on. The V-neck cotton linen poplin dress in washed black is lovely, true to size and very long. Being sleeveless and dark and long all in one go didn’t give it a very summery feel. I would love the goji berry version but realistically I know I would get very little wear out of it. I expect it will make the sale at some point.
the Oyo stripe gathered cotton tank looked lovely but I didn’t try it on so can’t comment on size. The Minako fig garment dyed linen trousers have a lovely cut to them, ankle length on my 5ft 5 frame, true to size, and the garment dyed linen top on tomato red is lovely: again, one to size down in I would say unless you like it very baggy.
Service in both shops perfunctory, nothing more. I have always liked the Marylebone staff, perhaps I have been lucky there but they always go the extra mile.
@Delara , my DH has a few clothes from Toast - sizing is all over the place, he often needs a large in the shirts and he is 5ft 10 and 11 stone 10lbs so not big. The trousers have never fitted/suited him. There was a small range from the men’s in Islington and DH was with me. I tried to get him to try the poplin trousers but he refused - he thinks Toast prices are too steep. I usually get him his shirts and tees from Toast in the sale. The sobremesa shirt looked divine but he wouldn’t try it on, as did the gelato check linen shirt and the variegated block print shirt. He has quite a collection of short and long sleeved toast tees now and I never fail to notice the superior cut they have when compared with cheaper tees, but I think it is the same for the women’s tees. He tried on the Keen Jasper Zionic trainers which are lovely in the flesh but he didn’t like the yellow lines on then :(
I am a sucker for anything the model Gwen wears on the website - she makes everything look cool. Ditto for Nino in the men’s selection - he really sells the clothes.
That’s it from me, a bit of a long one after an hour in Hampstead’s Toast and 30 mins in Islington’s!