Can we just talk about Laura Ashley for a moment?

[Bumptoburp]

What the actual?

I mean - they were never exactly cutting edge but they used to do some nice basics and good summer dresses.

Now though - they seem to be trying to take the heat off Per Una.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

I think I need a sherry.

Ughhh. I just march straight past their clothes when I'm shopping for home things in there.

Ewww!
I've found their basic t shirts and tops to be quite decent but I only really go in there for the homeware - if they were a stand alone clothes shop I wouldn't bother going in.

They used to be so much nicer, even just 3-4 years ago. I have the best dress in the world from there - heavy linen tunic style linen with very flared skirt and POCKETS! Pockets in a dress is the holy grail for me.

Exactly what I went looking for, Vivienne - one of those lovely heavy linen dresses they used to do. Quite reasonable prices too.

One would have thought there was a market for that kind of thing. But no - it seems curtain-dressed zombies roam the earth these days. At least the earth where LA's designers work.

I think they might be on the brink of closure.
They seem to have a 50% sale every other weekend.

My favourite summer dress is from there- sleeveless, sweetheart neckline, fitted at the waist, fuller skirt and, yes, pockets! Don't know why they but they do seem to have stopped doing that type of style.

Funnily enough those dresses are exactly the sort they became famous for in the 70’s! Flounces, lace and ruffles. One of my friends had Laura Ashley clothes - ruffled blouses in particular, and i was SOOOO envious of her. We couldn’t afford them!

I haven't been in a Laura Ashley store since 1996. Looks like I haven't missed anything.

I quite like that dress. Think I'm too dumpy though.

Funnily enough those dresses are exactly the sort they became famous for in the 70’s! I was going to say, and even in the 80's o remember LA being exactly the 2 examples you have posted OP. Granted we don't have one local so it has probably been 25 years since I set foot in LA!

Mango have all this shapeless rubbish just now as well. Why,,,, just why?????

I'm 50 soon and I've never seen the appeal for Laura Ashley and it looks like I'm not going to start now.

Oh dear.
I once bought a ball gown from here. It was fabulous and sexy.

I bought some lampshades from there recently. Wouldn't touch the clothes with a barge pole though.