This Is the Secret to Finding Vintage Laura Ashley Dresses

The fashion world’s obsession with prairie-style dressing is far from waning. Designers from Dior to Chloe have all incorporated vintage-style frills in their collections in recent years, not to mention the success of new brands like Batsheva and LoveShackFancy whose whole identities have been built around the demure retro dress style. The real deal, however, was born out of good old Blighty with the now-iconic British brand Laura Ashley. The name is now synonymous with the quintessentially English floral tea dress style and is enjoying a recent renaissance in fashion circles, with Urban Outfitters even launching a collaboration with the brand earlier this year.

Husband and wife Bernard and Laura Ashley started the fabric company out of their kitchen in 1953 and opened their first store in London in the late 1960s, producing the first ready-to-wear dress not long before that. Since then, the company enjoyed huge success (at its peak, selling 4000 dresses a week in the Fulham Road store), and the Victoriana dress style is now firmly embedded in British fashion history.

Whilst you can find similar shapes everywhere from Topshop to Net-a-Porter these days, industry insiders are increasingly being spotted in the real thing, garnering extra style points in their vintage Laura Ashley looks. But where are they getting it from?

After doing some digging, we discovered shopping the brand’s original designs is easier than you might think. Ebay, Depop and Etsy are overflowing with styles that look like they came straight from the 2019 catwalks. Oxfam’s online shop is the best for finding a bargain, and Instagram is also becoming a great new platform to shop vintage with sellers like Florrie Thomas and Daisy Murray showcasing floral dresses on the regular. There’s even a dedicated account celebrating all things Laura Ashley from Etsy seller Birgit Drinkwater that we highly recommend, if only for daily style inspiration.

Keep scrolling to shop some of our favourite vintage Laura Ashley finds as well as some of the key new-season styles inspired by the brand.

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Actresses Pamela Harlow and Heidi Banks spotted in the Beverly Hills, California, Laura Ashley store in 1984.

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(Image credit: @Daisy___Murray )

Daisy Murray shoes how Laura Ashley dresses are just as relevant today. 

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(Image credit: @Daisy___Murray )

A vintage Laura Ashley style being sold by Daisy Murray on her Instagram. 

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Influencer Alyssa Coscarelli looks so modern in this Laura Ashley esque dress. 

Shop Vintage Laura Ashley

Shop Similar Styles

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Laura Ashley influences can clearly be seen in Batsheva Hay’s dress designs. The designer often references the British brand’s iconic vintage imagery on her Instagram page. 

Next: More of autumn/ winter’s biggest trends.

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing brand.

Emily has worked forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely withBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, teamBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.