The Vintage Dress Brand That Is This Summer's Must-Have Buy
Once the dread of bridesmaids everywhere, the floral-clad, puff-sleeve silhouette of Laura Ashley's dresses has become synonymous with the chintzy romanticism of the '80s. Set up by husband-and-wife team Bernard and Laura Ashley, the brand started out as a fabric company in 1953 and opened its first store in London in the late 1960s. As the inspiration for countless contemporary dress brands—Batsheva, O Pioneers and The Vampire's Wife, to name a few—and with a collaboration with high-street brand Urban Outfitters under its belt, Laura Ashley and its iconic frocks remain as strong as ever 70 years later.
"The move towards a more modest femininity has coincided with a throwback to the '80s and has given Laura Ashley a real reawakening," Urban Outfitters' womenswear buyer, Malika Zagzoule, toldBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's Nell Block. "The prints are timeless, and coupled with those original design elements, they have an irresistible nostalgia about them. There's a naïveté and lightness about them that I think holds particular appeal when the world feels quite chaotic!"
Thanks to the accessibility that sites such as Etsy, Depop and eBay have offered the world of vintage, it's never been easier to find one of Laura Ashley's much-coveted dresses. There are also plenty of Instagram vintage sellers, such as Selena's Shop and The Pansy Garden, that regularly sell dresses from the brand, but keep your eyes peeled because these pieces can be snapped up super fast. To save you time, I've done a bit of digging and found 22 Laura Ashley originals that will give your summer dress collection that little nostalgic nod. From party-ready silks and white maxis (brides, take note) to candy stripes and classic florals, scroll down to see and shop my Laura Ashley vintage-dress edit.
Shop my Laura Ashley dress edit:
Up Next: This Is the Secret to Finding Vintage Laura Ashley Dresses
-
For These Latin American Brand Founders, Wellness Is Meaningful, Complex, and Rooted in Culture
Learn about their practices and philosophies.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
I'm a FormerReplica Store Buyer—I Was Just in Europe and Saw These Fall Trends Everywhere
Including the color of the season.
By Bobby Schuessler
-
I'm in My 20s—Here Are 6 Style Lessons I Learned to Look More Polished and Grown-Up
Sophisticated styling 101.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
8 Copenhagen Street Style Trends I Plan to Replicate in New York
Pared back yet never boring
By Nikki Chwatt
-
No One Stalks The RealReal More Than Me—38 Finds You Actually Need to See
They won't last.
By Eliza Huber
-
Vintage or Nothing: 4 Summer Styles You Can (and Should) Buy Secondhand
The coolest one-of-a-kind finds are ahead.
By Judith Jones
-
Kendall Jenner Just Became the First Person to Ever Wear This 1999 Givenchy Gown
An Alexander McQueen original.
By Eliza Huber
-
I Found the Best Hack for Shopping Ultra-Luxe Designer Handbags for Less
Sponsor Content Created With Fashionphile
By Raina Mendonça
-
I'm a Fashion Editor—I Reach For These 2 Pieces When I Don't Know What to Wear
Ready in 10 minutes or less.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
From Bella Hadid to Vogue Staffers—These Are the 10 Insider-Approved Vintage Stores in NYC
No gatekeeping here.
By Anna LaPlaca