Designer fashion crush: Laura Ashley’s summer into early fall looks

Many (one might argue far too many) eighties looks are experiencing a massive revival as of late, from acid wash jeans (*shutters*) to shoulder pads of linebacker proportion, punchy neon hues to tiered and ruffled skirts. Yet, by and large, the looks of the 1980s that I favoured the most have not resurfaced thus far (think girly, pastel pieces; Edwardian inspired blouses, full skirts, fifties inspired dresses).

There are countless styles to both love and loath from the decade of excess, and in the adore category I firmly put the wildly feminine, often floral print bedecked, somewhat preppy styles from UK fashion designer Laura Ashley. Her company’s spin on the romantic nouveau style of the era carried with it a timeless grace and beauty that I would blissfully usher back as a way of counterbalancing the tough street styles of the 80s that are tumbling off of the runways these days.

Yet, as fashion seems intent on dredging up all the previously shunned looks of the 80s with disturbing zeal, I fear that the womanly, alluring, elegant styles that brands like Laura Ashley were famous for three decades ago will remain hidden in the back of the proverbial closet for a while longer.



{A marvelous example of the charming country rose style prints that were often seen on Laura Ashley dresses of the past shines prettily in this 1980s number. $24.00 (US) from etsy seller The Vintage Mistress.}


Luckily however, the Laura Ashley brand still exists and its modern iteration is every bit as committed to creating superbly pretty, very feminine pieces as it was thirty years ago. In my opinion the brand has cast off the preppy/Sloane Ranger element of its styles and taken on an even more refined, yet still immensely easy to wear sensibility that makes the Laura Ashley dresses and separates of today perhaps even more lovely than their predecessors.

While various shops carry this line, it is also available from the official Laura Ashley website, which offers online shopping. I’m particularly smitten with the stunning dresses – many of which I feel channel a wonderful vintage vibe – that are currently listed, but also swoon over a lot of the skirts, sweaters, shirts, shoes and other separates as well. Below is a selection of pieces currently on offer from Laura Ashley that I would love to own from their fantastic end-of-summer line (please note all prices are in UK pounds).


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{ Grey “Ariella”, pink rose print prom dress, £150.00.}


{Silver grey jeweled pleat front clutch bag, £35.00.}


{“Bloomsbury” fine check white and grey jacket, £99.00.}


{Black skirt and white blouse dress, £85.00.}


{White and red sailboat print cotton blouse, £11.00.}


{“Marciana” red and white floral print umbrella, £15.00.}


{Silvery gray jacquard skirt prom dress, £99.00.}


{White/soft cream ribbed waist tie cardigan with bow, £13.00.}


{Grey floral antique rose print pencil skirt, £55.00.}


{Plum-purple short sleeve shift dress with flared skirt, £75.00.}


{Grey and pink short-sleeve bow tie neck sweater, £45.00.}


{Soft caramel wheat coloured wool and cashmere overcoat with turnback collar and button front, £150.00.}


{Black and white floral print short sleeved dress with pleated full skirt, £80.00.}


Assuming one is shopping from within the UK, these prices are what I’d classify as being in the “middle of the road” range. More expensive than H&M, but far less than most items picked up from Browns. The looks above retain a darling essence of their 1980s counterparts thanks to feminine cuts and the use of some floral prints (such as in the pencil skirt); they are gorgeous, timeless and redolent of vintage pieces.

Though I’ve never had the pleasure of owning a Laura Ashley piece (past or present), their iconic beauty and sophisticated styles have a soft spot in my fashion loving heart. Do you also adore this wonderful British brand and its floral print filled history?

Absolutely beautiful photo booth friends

Sometimes I find myself thinking about all of the incredible pictures – whether for their subject matter or skill level – that have been taken since the invention of photography. I would venture to guess that most of them were taken with the hope of preserving a moment in time for as long as possible. This common thread amongst photos is a large part of why people adore taking them so much. We all want to grasp onto the present, however fleeting it may be.

Many of the photos taken over the decades – and now centuries – have been lost to the hands of time, but thankfully (and perhaps almost amazingly given the very delicate nature of photo paper) some of them have been preserved. I adore old pictures even if I haven’t the slightest clue who the people in them are. In fact sometimes not knowing is part of the joy. You can write your own narratives for the faces – and the lives behind them – of the people in these wonderful snapshots of history.

Such was the desire I was struck with as soon as I chanced upon the photo below. The two women in this seemingly simple photo booth shot are undeniably gorgeous. Their hair, make-up and outfits appeal to me on so many levels. Yet I am equally struck by how happy – content in the moment, perhaps – they both seem. There is a glint of flirtation in the brunette’s dark eyes, a sense of worldly wisdom in those of the blond. Each woman is strikingly attractive on her own, together they are even more majestic.

I wonder, looking at this decades old photo, who were these gals? Were they friends, sisters, cousins, classmates, coworkers? Had they been in each other’s lives for years or only recently meet? Were they taking the photo to remember they day themselves or to pass it along to someone else? Could they have possibly known at the time how wildly stylish they were?


{Vintage photo discovered via Hastingsgraham’s Flickr stream.}

I like to think they were lifelong BFFs. Deeply similar in many ways and starkly opposite in others. Through the good and the bad, the rough and the incredible, they were always there, with perfectly coiffed hair, for each other. Their unwavering bond preserved forever in this moment as photo booth friends.