Laura Ashley Review: Is This Iconic British Brand Still Worth the Hype?

Hey there, fellow fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘ve definitely heard the name Laura Ashley before. Maybe you‘ve swooned over the brand‘s signature floral dresses or dreamed of decking out your bedroom in their whimsical prints. But with so many fashion and home decor brands out there these days, you might be wondering: is Laura Ashley still relevant? Is their famous quality worth the higher price point?

Well never fear, because I‘m here to give you the inside scoop! As a lifelong Laura Ashley fan and frequent shopper, I‘ve put together the ultimate guide to this beloved British brand. From their fascinating history to their current must-have pieces, I‘m covering it all. Plus, I‘m sharing some of my own first-hand experiences with Laura Ashley over the years (spoiler alert: my closet is practically a Laura Ashley museum at this point).

So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let‘s dive into the wonderful world of Laura Ashley together!

The Legacy of Laura Ashley

You can‘t really understand Laura Ashley as a brand without learning a bit about their incredible history first. After all, this company has been around since 1953 – that‘s nearly 70 years of floral frocks and cottage-chic decor!

It all started with a young Welsh secretary named Laura Ashley who had a passion for hand-printing fabric. She and her husband Bernard began making scarves, napkins, and tea towels at their kitchen table, which quickly caught the eye of London retailers. By the swinging ‘60s, the Ashleys had opened their first shop in Wales and were crafting the vintage-inspired dresses that would become the brand‘s calling card.

Over the next two decades, Laura Ashley exploded in popularity. The ultra-feminine, almost theatrical dresses became a favorite of style icons like Twiggy and Princess Diana. Laura Ashley soon expanded into home furnishings, bringing their signature florals and fanciful touches to every room of the house.

Sadly, Laura herself passed away in 1985, but her romantic design legacy lived on through her family. The brand saw ups and downs over the years, but maintained a fiercely loyal cult following, especially among vintage lovers.

While the original UK Laura Ashley stores shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the North American branch lives on under new ownership and vision. Now backed by American investors, Laura Ashley is positioning itself for a major comeback – and I for one couldn‘t be more excited to see how this historic brand reinvents itself for a new generation!

Breaking Down the Laura Ashley Aesthetic

So now that you know a bit about Laura Ashley‘s background, let‘s talk about the key ingredients of that signature "Laura Ashley look".

The brand‘s calling card has always been ditsy floral prints in sweet colors like pastel pink, sage green, or soft yellow. Florals not really your thing? They‘ve also got lovely patterns like gingham, stripes, and toile that evoke a similarly nostalgic feel.

Silhouette-wise, Laura Ashley is known for designing ultra-feminine, almost Victorian-inspired shapes. Think voluminous sleeves, pintucks, ruffles, smocking, and bows galore. Skirts are typically long and flowy, while necklines tend to be high and modest.

The overall vibe is very "cottagecore" – imagine looking like you just stepped out of a romantic period drama set in the English countryside. It‘s fanciful, charming, and perhaps a bit costumey compared to modern fashion, but that‘s precisely the appeal for hardcore Laura Ashley devotees.

The key to Laura Ashley‘s lasting success, in my opinion? Their pieces are designed to be timeless rather than trendy. While the brand does release new collections each season, the general aesthetic is so classic that you could easily wear a Laura Ashley dress from 30 years ago today and still look perfectly on-trend. It‘s the antithesis of fast fashion – these pieces are made to be cherished and worn for years or even decades.

Of course, that timeless quality is also reflected in the price point. Laura Ashley pieces are definitely an investment, with dresses running from around $150-$250 and bedding sets clocking in at over $200. But here‘s the thing: the quality and craftsmanship are totally worth it. Laura Ashley uses beautiful, natural fabrics like cotton and linen, and the attention to detail is incredible. These aren‘t flimsy polyester dresses that will fall apart in the wash – they‘re lifetime pieces.

As a longtime Laura Ashley shopper myself, I can attest to the exceptional value of these garments. I have Laura Ashley dresses from over a decade ago that still look practically new because they‘re so well-made. And thanks to that classic, ageless style, I can still wear them today without looking dated. It‘s a far cry from those cheap fast fashion pieces that might be on-trend for a month before becoming total closet clutter!

Digging into the Laura Ashley Product Selection

Now that you have a sense of the general Laura Ashley vibe, let‘s get into the nitty-gritty of what the brand actually sells. While they‘re primarily known for their women‘s clothing, Laura Ashley actually has a pretty broad product assortment that includes home decor, children‘s wear, and gifts.

Dresses

Laura Ashley is pretty much synonymous with dresses, so it‘s no surprise that frocks are their bread and butter. From billowy maxi dresses to sweet sundresses to prim shirt dresses, they‘ve got a silhouette for every occasion.

One of my personal favorite Laura Ashley dresses is the Eloise Meadow Dress, which features the most gorgeous print of ditsy flowers on a black background. The details – like the shirred bodice, tiered skirt, and puffy sleeves – make it look like a true vintage piece. Every time I wear it, I feel like I‘m starring in my own whimsical period drama!

I‘m clearly not the only one obsessed with Laura Ashley dresses – just check out some of these rave reviews from other shoppers:

• "I absolutely adore this dress – it‘s a perfect combination of cottagecore charm and wearability," – Lizzie S.
• "The fabrics Laura Ashley uses are unlike anything else…they‘re so soft and dreamy!" – Abby T.
• "This dress is a stunner! The colors are even more vibrant in person. I wore it to an outdoor wedding and got so many compliments!" – Jenna L.

Blouses

Want to channel Laura Ashley vibes without going full cottagecore? Their blouses are a great option. Featuring the brand‘s signature feminine details like lace trim, pintucking, and ruffle collars, these tops add a romantic touch to any outfit.

I have this gorgeous Swiss dot blouse that I love to wear with jeans for a quick dose of vintage charm. The sheer sleeves and satin bow make it feel extra special. Here‘s what other customers have to say about Laura Ashley blouses:

• "Such a beautifully made, feminine top! I feel like a Disney princess when I wear it." – Caity E.
• "I was blown away by the quality of this blouse. The fabric is a nice, hefty cotton and all the details are executed perfectly. Well worth the price!" – Thalia R.

Bedding

Laura Ashley‘s dreamy, pastoral aesthetic translates perfectly to bedding and home decor. From pretty floral duvet covers to crisp eyelet lace sheets, these pieces make your bedroom feel like a cottage retreat.

I recently splurged on the Ashley Wilde bedding set and it totally transformed the vibe of my room. The soft sage green pairs so beautifully with the delicate white floral print. I love how it looks both fresh and timeless. And the quality is incredible – even after multiple washes, it still looks brand new.

Other happy customers rave:

• "I‘ve never had such a beautiful bedding set! It‘s like crawling into a field of wildflowers every night." – Katy P.
• "The photos online don‘t do this set justice. The details and quality are even better in person…no regrets splurging on this one!" – Nina L.

A Quick Overview of Laura Ashley‘s Current Offerings

Here‘s a little cheat sheet of the main product categories you can shop at Laura Ashley:

Category	Product Types	Price Range
Women‘s Fashion	Dresses, blouses, skirts, pajamas, outerwear	$50 – $250
Girls Fashion	Dresses, separates, outerwear	$30 – $100
Home & Bedding	Bedding, curtains, tableware, decor, furniture	$20 – $2000
Gifts & Accessories	Scarves, jewelry, bags, fragrances	$15 – $150

Laura Ashley‘s Evolving Collaborations & Partnerships

While Laura Ashley could easily coast on the success of their signature styles, the brand has made some exciting moves lately in terms of brand collaborations and partnerships. These limited-edition capsule collections infuse the classic Laura Ashley look with a fresh, modern sensibility.

Some of my favorite recent collabs include:

• Laura Ashley x Batsheva – Designer Batsheva Hay is known for her charmingly odd "prairie girl" frocks, so she‘s a natural fit for Laura Ashley. This dreamy collection featured patchwork floral dresses, Victorian blouses, and even a few adorably quirky house dresses.

• Laura Ashley x Barbour – Who would have thought that a classic British outerwear brand would mesh so well with Laura Ashley‘s hyper-feminine aesthetic? Barbour put a rugged twist on floral prints, resulting in some seriously stylish jackets and rain gear.

• Laura Ashley x Meme Chose – Japanese brand Meme Chose lends a whimsical kawaii edge to Laura Ashley‘s tried-and-true florals. I‘m obsessed with the smocked strawberry print tops and lace-trimmed pinafores from this collection.

These collabs are limited edition, so you have to act fast if something catches your eye. I was lucky enough to snap up this Batsheva dress before it sold out and it‘s already become one of my most treasured pieces. The attention to detail in these partnership pieces is simply incredible – designer quality with that inimitable Laura Ashley charm!

Caring For Your Laura Ashley Pieces

As I‘ve mentioned, Laura Ashley garments and home goods are built to last – but only if you care for them properly! Here are a few tips I‘ve learned over my years of Laura Ashley stewardship:

• Always check the care label, as instructions can vary based on the fabric and construction. Many Laura Ashley pieces are dry clean only!

• For machine washable items, use a gentle detergent and wash on a delicate cycle in cold water. I like to use a delicates bag for extra protection.

• Skip the dryer and hang or lay flat to dry. Heat can damage those delicate floral prints and ruffled details!

• When in doubt, opt for professional cleaning. It‘s worth the extra effort to keep your Laura Ashley pieces in tip top shape.

With proper TLC, your Laura Ashley pieces can become treasured keepsakes that you pass down for generations. I have a vintage Laura Ashley dress from my mother that still looks stunning 40 years later! These clothes and linens only get better with age.

The Last Word on Laura Ashley

So what‘s the final verdict on this heritage British brand? Is Laura Ashley still worth the hype and higher price point?

In my expert opinion – a resounding yes! Even after all these years, Laura Ashley remains unparalleled in their commitment to timeless, feminine style and heirloom-quality craftsmanship. No other brand captures dreamy romance quite like Laura Ashley. They‘re not chasing trends or churning out cheap polyester dresses – they‘re creating lifetime pieces that are meant to be cherished.

Of course, I‘ll be the first to admit that Laura Ashley is not for everyone. If your style leans more minimalist or edgy, you might find their florals and frills a bit too saccharine. And there‘s no denying that the price point can be a bit of a splurge compared to fast fashion retailers or big box stores.

But I truly believe that Laura Ashley is the definition of "investment dressing". You‘re not just buying a dress – you‘re investing in a piece of fashion history that can be worn and loved for years or even decades. The cost-per-wear value is exceptional when you consider the quality and timelessness.

Plus, in an age of cookie cutter fashion and constant trend chasing, there‘s something wonderfully refreshing about Laura Ashley‘s steadfast commitment to their unique aesthetic. In a sea of fast fashion sameness, Laura Ashley is a true original.

As a diehard Laura Ashley fan, I‘m thrilled to see the brand thriving under new ownership and creative direction. I can‘t wait to see how they continue to evolve and delight a new generation of customers.

So if you‘re on the fence about splurging on that floral frock or cottagecore bedding, I‘m here to tell you – go for it! Embrace the romance, the femininity, the unabashed charm of Laura Ashley. I promise you won‘t regret investing in a piece of this iconic brand‘s legacy.

Your resident Laura Ashley expert,

Emily