If you know, you know. There was a period of time in the 1970s and 80s (and thereabouts) when everyone in your peer group likely owned some variation of a Laura Ashley dress. From gravity-defying puffed sleeves to not-particularly-flattering dropped waists to a bona fide bouquet of chintz, the “Laura Ashley look” was it.
Frequently paired with white Keds or Sam & Libby ballet flats—shoe preference likely depended on your geography—Laura Ashley dresses and accessories evoked a “very demure, very mindful” aesthetic that was irresistible to even the of highest profile of tastemakers (think Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn). And ladies, gather ye rosebud prints: The Laura Ashley look is back, and your dresses—if you were smart enough to hang on to them—may be worth serious cash.
Vintage Laura Ashley
Vintage Laura Ashley Wool Flannel Sailor Dress
Vintage Laura Ashley Edwardian Sailor-Style Summer Blouse
Vintage Laura Ashley Puff Sleeve Sailor Dress
While the brand’s prairie-style dresses have been trending for a while now thanks to the enduring cottagecore aesthetic, the most coveted Laura Ashley offerings as of late are dresses with sailor-style necklines. That’s right: The nautical tie-neck dress style that your mom made you sport on the Easter Sundays of yore is officially back in fashion. (We don’t make the rules.) Inspired by the Edwardian sailor dresses from the early 1900s (as well as the stateside designs of naval tailor Peter Thomson), Laura Ashley revived the look for everyday landlubbers in the 80s. Seeing that trends tend to resurface every 40 years, it was only a matter of time.
A dress from Laura Ashley’s 1989 spring collection
Here’s what to know before you go raiding your attic for your throwbacks (btw, aren’t you glad social media didn’t exist back then?)
But Wait—Hundreds?
Yes, hundreds. Because the sailor-specific style isn’t as ubiquitous as the prairie style, it’s not easy to find a bargain here. Honestly, though, many of the Laura Ashley pieces remain a steal compared to the sailor-inspired styles that charted their course down the spring 2025 runways. (Not a dress person? How about Miu Miu’s sailor-style cardigan, Frame’s sailor sweater, or Seabass’s tie-neck swimsuit?) Our advice: Raid your attic now if you’re eager to resell on eBay, and consider reaching out to Laura Ashley-enthusiast vendors to see if they want first dibs on your discards.
Princess Charlotte, always ahead of the fashion curve
Why Right Now?
Aside from the revived interest in Laura Ashley courtesy of the cottagecore contingency, this over-the-top trend aligns with a broader gravitation toward nostalgic design elements as well as the popular fisherman’s aesthetic, which has very much waded its way into mass retail. Let’s also not forget the 2024 obsession with bows, which no doubt helped pave the way for this distinctly nautical take on tying one on.
Is Laura Ashley Still Around?
You bet your pinafore! While the brand’s prairie godmother, Laura Ashley, who started making Victorian-style headscarves in 1953 and whose first store also sold walking sticks and local honey, passed away in 1985 (and the company has endured its share of financial setbacks), it was recently acquired by Marquee Brands. Here’s hoping they maintain an appreciation for a puffed sleeve and cabbage rose motif.
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Rachel Hardage Barrett has written for and edited lifestyle publications for more than 20 years. As the editor-in-chief of Country Living, she has covered all things related to country life—including design, gardening, food, travel, antiques, crafts, and country pop culture—for more than a decade. Before Country Living, Rachel spent several years at Southern Living, where she served as Executive Editor covering travel, food, style, and features. Before Southern Living, Rachel was the Special Projects Director of Real Simple, where she wrote and oversaw books and special issues about food, travel, weddings, organizing, and parenting in addition to working on international editions and licensed products. Before working at lifestyle brands, Rachel started her magazine career at Glamour, where she wrote and edited relationship articles, celebrity interviews, as well as fashion and features content. When she’s not working on the magazine, she can likely be found poking around an antiques shop, perusing country real estate listings, or dreaming of opening a general store.
