Laura Ashley Review: Is This Iconic Brand Worth It?

Brief History of the Laura Ashley Brand

Laura Ashley has an iconic 70-year history spanning from its founding in the UK by Laura and Bernard Ashley in 1953 to its recent North American revitalization in 2020. The brand began as a small home-based operation where Laura Ashley would hand screen print scarves, napkins and other household goods. During the 1950s and 60s, the company grew rapidly as Laura Ashley opened retail shops featuring her signature Victorian-inspired floral dresses.

Key milestones for the brand include international expansion in the 1970s, an IPO launch in 1985, as well as the unfortunate death of founder Laura Ashley in that same year. While the UK-based company fell into administration in 2020 due to the impacts of COVID-19, the Gordon Brothers investment group acquired the North American division to rebuild it with a fresh perspective while still honoring Laura Ashley‘s heritage.

Today, the Laura Ashley brand continues to be known for its feminine, romantic styling across apparel, home goods and more – now with an invigorated ecommerce presence and distribution through over 20,000 retail partners in North America.

Overview of Current Laura Ashley Products

As I explored in this Laura Ashley review, the company today provides a wide range of dress styles, bedding, pajamas and accessories that capture founder Laura Ashley‘s signature aesthetic while blending in contemporary touches. Current collections showcase delicate florals, sweet prints and lightweight fabrics perfect for the modern woman.

Notable product lines include collaborations with designers like Batsheva Hay and Barbour that put a modern spin on vintage Laura Ashley styles. Key categories span:

• Dresses: Long sleeve shirt dresses, fit and flare styles, sweater dresses and more ranging up to $250
• Bedding: Floral and patterned sheet sets, duvets, pillow cases and coordinating accessories from $50-$300
• Loungewear: Matching pajama shirt and pant sets, nightgowns and robes between $50-$100
• Accessories: Scarves, hair accessories, jewelry and handbags from $15-$100

It‘s clear that while styles stay true to the brand‘s feminine aesthetics, Laura Ashley is appealing to a new generation of customers under its reinvigorated North American ownership.

Why Laura Ashley Commands its Pricing

As one might expect from a heritage luxury brand, Laura Ashley items do come at a relatively high price point compared to fast fashion or big box retailers. However, there are a few compelling reasons why the quality and craftsmanship command these higher prices:

Timeless, Lasting Construction

Laura Ashley prioritizes natural fabrics like cotton, linens and lyocell that feel soft yet retain structure over years of wear. Details like covered buttons, delicate lace trims and full linings ensure pieces withstand the test of time. Customers attest that Laura Ashley items stay beautiful wash after wash.

Ethical, Sustainability Sourcing

The brand uses responsible domestic manufacturing for items like dresses and loungewear in addition to imported European textiles. Several collections even feature eco-friendly fabrics made of wood pulp or recycled materials. This ethical production aligns with many modern shoppers‘ values.

Expert Craftsmanship

As another nod to quality, Laura Ashley employs expert seamstresses, printers and designers to carefully construct each item. From precise stitching to vivid floral patterns, the attention to detail is reminiscent of heirloom items passed down through generations.

When customers invest in a Laura Ashley dress or bedding set, they can trust that they are getting a beautifully made, ethical item designed to last for years on end – well worth the price tag.

Spotlight: Bestselling Emma Seersucker Duvet Cover Set

As part of this Laura Ashley review, I wanted to spotlight one of the brand‘s top-rated bedding sets that demonstrates their commitment to quality and style…

Laura Ashley Emma Seersucker White Duvet Cover Set

This bestselling duvet set captures everything there is to love about Laura Ashley‘s bedding offering with its tasteful design and luxe details. The subtly textured white seersucker stripe fabric provides just enough visual interest without overwhelming delicate bedrooms. Touches like the blue piping trim and covered closure buttons give a refined look befitting of a heritage brand.

The set‘s 52% polyester and 48% cotton fabric provides durability yet feels soft and breathable against the skin. It‘s tailored to drape beautifully on beds in Euro queen through king sizes. So far it has garnered enthusiastic reviews including a 4.4/5 star rating from Wayfair customers confirming it meets high expectations for style and quality.

For these reasons and more, the Emma Seersucker duvet cover set demonstrates why the Laura Ashley brand may be pricier than average yet continues to win over modern fans just as it has for decades prior. The $170 price tag reflects thoughtful design and manufacturing that promises to last for years.

How to Style Laura Ashley for Different Occasions

A hallmark of great fashion labels is versatility across occasions ranging from casual days at home to important events. Here I‘ll share style tips for making the most of Laura Ashley dresses and accessories for all the moments in your life:

Casual Days: A Laura Ashley maxi dress in a subdued floral paired with sandals makes an effortlessly chic errand-running outfit. For cooler weather, layer on a jean or leather jacket.

Office Attire: A knee-length Laura Ashley shirtdress with a smart pointed toe heel and subtle jewelry polishes up nicely for workplace wear.

Special Events: Many Laura Ashley dress styles translate beautifully to occasions like bridal and baby showers or summer garden parties. Play up the feminine silhouette with delicate heels and a lady like handbag.

At Home Lounging: When relaxing at home, Laura Ashley‘s pajama sets lend a dose of refinement. Throw on one of the brand‘s cozy open front cardigans for extra comfort.

No matter where life takes you, Laura Ashley‘s versatile styling is sure to keep you looking pulled together yet effortlessly elegant.

Laura Ashley Returns & Shipping Policies

I want to emphasize for potential Laura Ashley shoppers that the brand offers consumer-friendly returns and shipping policies designed to take the stress out of online ordering.

The Laura Ashley site offers free shipping on all orders over $75, with additional expedited shipping available atcheckout. Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery – with refunds issued back to the original payment method. Laura Ashley covers return shipping costs for defective or damaged merchandise. See full return policy here.

Between the free returns combined with regular site-wide sales and discounts, shopping the Laura Ashley site provides a lower-risk way to try out the brand compared to hunting down items at department stores. Feel confident clicking ‘Place Order‘ knowing you have over a month to decide if your Laura Ashley pieces are worth keeping.

Key Reasons for Laura Ashley‘s North American Relaunch

After covering this brand‘s rich history earlier in my review, I want to spotlight the pivotal 2020 acquisition that revived Laura Ashley in North America after struggles overseas.

Boston-based investment firm Gordon Brothers – with expertise in retail – saw strong remaining brand affinity and customer demand for Laura Ashley in North America even as global executives filed for administration. By acquiring the license rights and assets of just the North American operations, Gordon Brothers believed they could rebuild the heritage company focusing on ecommerce and strategic retail partnerships.

The new ownership brings in added retail and digital commerce experience to expand Laura Ashley‘s omnichannel presence. They see strong potential to not only engage long-time fans but also introduce the iconic brand to a new generation of Millennial and Gen Z consumers hungry for purpose-driven, quality brands.

While the future looked dire for Laura Ashley globally, this second chance in North America provides an exciting reboot while still honoring the timeless styles generations have loved for 70 years on counting.

The Last Word

For shoppers seeking out refined, nostalgic styles, this Laura Ashley review proves that the brand absolutely remains worth investing in today. Although the name holds deep heritage, the newly reinvigorated North American ownership puts forward a fresh perspective tuned into modern shopper demand.

Discerning customers can continue to rely on Laura Ashley for feminine dresses, bedding and accessories befitting of the company‘s rich history – now with an updated ecommerce experience and robust omnichannel distribution. For those still hesitant, take advantage of the brand‘s consumer-friendly promotions and return policy to give these products a try risk-free. Between quality construction and enduring designs, Laura Ashley is poised to delight customers long into the future.