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

Our next stop takes us to Cambridge, a collegiate city defined by its honey-coloured stone and meandering River Cam. On the cobbled Trinity Street, our shop is situated in the heart of this historic centre amongst independent bookshops, cafes and restaurants. 

Alice 

Knitwear and sustainable textiles artist Alice has worked at TOAST since the start of 2025. “As a maker and designer, the majority of what I’m reading is focused on knitting patterns and manuals,” she says. “As soon as the sun comes out, I have Alt J’s album This is All Yours on in the studio.” 

Alice is 5’2’’ and wears the Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress and Belted Cotton Wide Leg Trousers.

Barbara 

Barbara has been working with TOAST for two years. “I love layering,” she says. “I’m going through the menopause, so temperature regulation is key.” She’s reading The Vegetarian by Han Kang. “It is brilliantly written and thought-provoking.” 

Barbara is 5’6’’ and wears the Pleated Ecru Denim Shorts, Stripe Linen Cotton Knitted Vest and the Cleo Garment Dyed Organic Cotton Tee

Alice

Alice is an architectural student studying for her MA at Cambridge, and her thesis is on the intersection between ceramics, architecture and embodied materials. “I love the detail of this cotton poplin shirt, and the functionality of the large pocket on the denim skirt.” She’s currently enjoying Maruja, a jazz-punk band from Manchester.

Alice is 5’10’’ and wears the Deep Pleated Cotton Poplin Top and Ecru Denim Skirt.

Cecilia

A craft gardener and lecturer, Cecilia has been working at TOAST since 2017. “I love layers and a mix of feminine and masculine silhouettes. I’m usually dressed in navy as I can’t be trusted not to venture into a garden. I am reading Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, an environmental science book from 1962 questioning our use of chemicals and disinformation.”

Cecilia is 5’4’’ and wears the Cotton Linen Canvas Wide Leg Trousers, Cotton Linen Canvas Waistcoat Top, Sadie Organic Cotton Boy Tee and Quilted Patchwork Cotton Jacket.

Visit our Cambridge shop at 19 Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TY. 

Photography Poppy Thorpe.

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7 comments

Always welcoming, always helpful. Great team. And big thanks to them for ‘campaigning’ for stocking menswear in the shop – never enough but a good start! And big thanks for the wooden chair near the door – our 8 (almost 9) year old daughter happy to sit and read while her parents browse / shop.

Lawrence 2 days ago

I absolutely love these. It’s so good to see real (and smiley!) people in TOAST clothes, and it’s so interesting to see how they put they put things together – especially Barbara!! Brilliant look… and as a fellow ‘woman of a certain age’ very inspiring!! I am constantly impressed by TOAST staff and their skill, kindness and creativity. I regularly used to pop into the shop when I lived in Cambridge and always felt my day was better after meeting the lovely TOAST-girls! More staff styling tips please!!

M 8 days ago

Love the Cambridge Toast team!! They are wondrous.

Nasheed 8 days ago

Whilst I buy Toast mostly online, when I travel to Cambridge from Norwich, I love dropping into the store to experience the textures and colours and latest styles. Thanks for sharing this article and particularly the name of Barbara, who always makes my visit so much more special, simply because of her enthusiasm and interest in people, places and the clothes. All the Cambridge team are exceptional.

Miriam 13 days ago

I love the series of Community Threads. It is inspirational to see the clothes on the Toast teams and to get a glimpse into their lives. I’m always impressed by Toast staff and their enthusiasm. Just as Joan, in the previous comment, I also read Silent Spring in the 60s and I still have a copy on my book shelf.

Linda 18 days ago

Can’t tell you what a lift this article gave me. Hearing about the interests of each staff member (literature, music) is inspiring. Seeing their clothing choice too. More of this please Toast …

Lyn 18 days ago

You all look lovely and it is inspirational to see a variety of different women wearing the clothes. Cecilia, I read Silent Spring in the 60’s as a teenager, and it made a huge impression on me. I am glad it is being read again; we need her insights more than ever.

Joan 22 days ago