Community Threads | Oxford

In our series Community Threads, we bring together the creative individuals who make up our TOAST shop teams and explore the ways in which they thoughtfully style pieces from our new collections.

In this instalment, we visit our Oxford shop, located on the historic High Street alongside an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Offering the latest TOAST collections across two floors, the top level boasts a view of Saint Mary's Church and the Radcliffe Camera library.

Kay

Kay has been working as a Repair Specialist at our TOAST Oxford shop for the past five years.

This month, she is reading Clair McCardle by Elizabeth Evitts-Dickinson, and she enjoys visiting Compton Verney Art Gallery in Warwickshire at the weekend. Based in the village of Wheatley, BRUIN is her most-frequented coffee shop.

Kay wears a UK 12. She is photographed in the Wide Leg Cotton Poplin Jumpsuit and Sturlini Soara Suede Sandals. “I love wearing cotton poplin. It is remarkably comfortable and cool in warmer weather.”

Olivia

Having joined TOAST seven months ago, Olivia is embracing the shift to spring dressing by adopting a brighter palette. She has just started reading Murder at the Black Cat Cafe, and recently went to see Oh Mary! At Oxford’s Trafalgar Theatre. “It was an amazing show, I highly recommend it.” Her favourite local coffee shop is Columbia Coffee Roasters in the Covered Market.

Olivia is 5’9 and wears a UK 12. She has chosen the Patchwork Stripe Block Print Top, Pleated Pull On Cotton Poplin Trousers and Fracap Fred Sandals. “I was drawn to the colour – I love cobalt blues at the moment.”

Rachel

Rachel has worked at TOAST Oxford for over sixteen years. In her free time, she reads across a range of genres. Books on her current rotation include A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros, Out of the Sun by Esi Edugyan, and Don't Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri. For those visiting Oxford, she recommends stopping by the “umbrella-shaped” willow tree in Christ Church Meadow.

Rachel is 5’7 and wears a UK 10. Here, she styles the Bolster Stripe Linen Culottes, Tablier Stripe Easy Cotton Shirt and Keen Uneek Canvas Sandals. “The culottes are made from classic linen and have pockets. I like that the outfit can be separated really easily, and I can walk miles in these shoes.”

Photography by Aloha Bonser-Shaw.