Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

Taking A Look At Laura Ashley & WIWT

Ok so today I've got a question to ask you.- when you think of Laura Ashley do you automatically think floral chintz & quickly pass it by?!!!  Well when Laura Ashley recently got in touch & asked me to write a guest post for their blog (click here) I was intrigued to take a peak & see if my preconceived perceptions were fair.

Now I will admit to owning (well when I say owning I mean borrowing my mum's) skirt when I was in sixth form.  It was a glorious tiered jade skirt with you've guested it had a large floral print & I used to wear it with this stunning old-fashioned cotton underskirt so that the lace of the underskirt hung below the skirt.  In fact (again not something I'm sure I should admit to or not) every time I wore said skirt one teacher would always comment that I was wearing my gorgeous skirt again....not sure that's something you want to hear as a 17/18 year old that your teacher loves your skirt but still!!!

Anyway it's been a good few years since I've stepped over the actual or internet threshold of Laura Ashley but I have to admit I was more than pleasantly surprised.  Yes there is still some floral prints that may be more suited to the slightly more traditional dresser but there are also some great non-floral & on trend pieces, not to mention tailored classics that I loved.

Now before I share with you my new additions to my wardrobe here's some of the pieces that made it onto my short list.  Starting with this stunning embroidered linen dress.  How gorgeous is this?  I can really see this outfit styled with a simple denim jacket & a pair of lace up pumps for a super cute casual daytime look.






Love this chambray linen shirt & if I didn't already own a shirt like this, this would have definitely have made it onto my top two.  A great shirt classic & stylish shirt for teaming with boyfriend jeans not to mention white skinnies.  Team with some ballet flats & some simple jewellery to complete the outfit for a really chic look.






These wide leg linen trousers also caught my eye.  I love how Laura Ashley have teamed them with the white lace up pumps.  Personally I'd team them with either a classic white shirt (which I'd wear out as opposed to tucked in) & a pair of pumps or a simple cami & blazer with some trusty leopard print ballet pumps.






I also totally love this mesh floral skirt.  How amazing would this look for a wedding or special occasion with a camisole & bolero styled jacket (if needed due to the weather) plus it would also look fab for holidays with said cami & casual pair of sandals.  Not to mention dressed down with a denim shirt & some ankle boots for a casual day look.






So what did I choose to review?!!!  Well I'll show you.  First up I chose this stunning navy & off white striped jacket....yes I hear you cry another jacket!!!!  But I simply couldn't resist this beauty plus if it's possible the jacket is even nicer in the flesh than it appears in the picture below.





And I also chose this lovely smock top to go with the jacket as my inner hippie is well & truly banging on the door to be let out & not only can I wear it with my new jacket I'm also looking forward to teaming it with my denim shorts too.





So to style the jacket & top I've teamed them with some cigarette length distressed jeans & added a splash of colour with my red ballet pumps & Zara bag.




Bag - Zara £22.99
Bracelet - Banana Republic, similar here
Jeans - Zara, similar here
Ballet Pumps - Bought in Majorca, similar here


I really love the texture of the jacket & the ribbon edging on the lapels & of course it goes without saying that both the top & the jacket are both great quality & well made pieces that are sure to last me a lifetime.









Finally for today's outfit I'm wearing my new top teamed with some simple gold accessories.




Top - Laura Ashley
Necklace - Handmade
Jeans - Zara
Sandals - Zara


Steal my style.


Boho


Necklace - ASOS £8
Jeans - Mango £44.99
Sandals - Boden £59


So come on time to fess up....have you just written Laura Ashley off without even taking a peak?!!!  If so it's time to put Laura Ashley back on your shopping-radar & see what you've been missing!!!

Have a fab Wednesday & see you tomorrow.

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21 comments

  1. I'm wearing Laura Ashley today! A similar shape to your top but in Navy with a floral patter in pinks and purples. With cropped bleached denims and navy ballet pumps it looks great. Ii've also got a gorgeous grey linen shirt with small white circle pattern- I recently had shoulder surgery and had to invest in a few button up tops for ease of entry and it was really just a whim to go into Laura Ashley and I was pleasantly surprised- not a puffy taffeta ball gown in sight!

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    1. Oh my goodness I'd forgotten about their ball gowns lol!!! Your outfit for today sounds lovely & I must keep a look out for your grey linen shirt as I love grey & white for the summer months.
      Hope your shoulder recovers soon.
      Jane xx

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  2. Hi Jane, I haven't been in Laura Ashley for a while although I did get one of my favourite ever evening dresses from there a few years ago - believe it or not, its quite Vivienne Westwood-esque and each time it has an outing, everyone always admires it and wants to know where it is from (Is it awful to say I never admit its LA?!)! However, I don't think I have been in since and so to see their clothing through your eyes, has been quite enlightening. There seem to be a fair few things I think I would enjoy wearing. I love your outfit - you always pull things off with great style. Thanks for the inspiration. Imogen x

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Imogen...it just shows it's always worth checking out stores that you thought were no longer for you as you can be in for a pleasant surprise.....I will definitely be adding them to my list of haunts for the future!!
      Jane xx

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  3. Super top and jacket Jane! I will definately be having a little snoop around in there now! I know know they normally have a great sale!! xx

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    1. Ooh hadn't thought of the sales Michelle, which can only be a matter of days/weeks. I'd better start my list!!!
      Jane xx

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  4. The only item I've had from Laura Ashley was a peach bridesmaid dress (with puff sleeves...but it was the 80's!!). A friend of mine always gets some lovely pieces from there, looks like they've brought themselves up to date! Really like the top you chose! x

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    1. Thanks Sian & yes there are some great on trend pieces...definitely worth taking a peak or two ;-)
      Jane xx

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  5. I must admit it's been a while since I've looked at their clothing but now you have given me a peek at their gorgeous pieces, I realise this is a brand I need to start getting to know again x

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    1. Definitely Sharron & what better time than when the sales start!! ;-)
      Jane xx

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  6. Thanks Kareema, you'll have to let me know what you think when you're next in Laura Ashley, but I was certainly impressed. Thanks for the comment about the garden too...it's a never ending task!!!
    Jane xx

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  7. Wow! That sure isn't the Laura Ashley I remember from my childhood! I think at one time my mom & I had matching large print floral dresses (yuck!). I'll have to give the brand a second chance. Love how you styled the jacket and shirt. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Myra, glad you enjoyed the post :-)
      Jane xx

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  8. I've been enjoying your blog for the last few months, but please, stop with the sponsored freebies posts, or at least do fewer ones. It's totally affecting your credibility as a blogger.
    You look great and your style is fab. Just give the PR people a swerve for a while.

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    1. Hi thanks for commenting. It's lovely to hear that you've been enjoying my blog. I coney choose to work with brands whose products I genuinely like & am interested in learning more about & hope that people who read the blog are interested to. I know that the past few weeks there have been quite a few posts featuring gifted items but this will settle down & obviously I do try & include additional posts on items to have caught my eye when time allows. I hope you continue reading & enjoying my blog.
      Jane xx

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  9. I love the jacket you've chosen, looks very chic and such a classic piece. They have definitely upped their game recently - I was looking a trench coat they had a few weeks ago, will have to pop in now and have a proper look at everything!
    Abbi x

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    1. For classic pieces such as a trench you can't go wrong Abbi & you know you're going to get great quality too.
      Jane xx

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  10. I often check out Laura Ashley especially in the summer but for some reason the branch closest to me doesn't stock size 8. Seems an odd decision and annoying as it means most stuff is too big for me.

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    1. Hi Emily that's funny you say that as I noticed some of the items online were not stocked in a size 8 & had presumed they had sold out in that size...perhaps they just sell out quickly?!! But I totally get what you mean especially if it's something you love & can't find similar elsewhere.
      Jane xx

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  11. Loving the striped jacket! xxx
    The Jolly Fashionista

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