This Is How I Wear My Mom's Favorite Brand 33 Years Later

When I first heard that Urban Outfitters was launching a new collaboration with Laura Ashley, I knew the name sounded familiar. "Didn't you wear a lot of Laura Ashley in the '80s?" I texted my mom. As it turns out, not only did she own several of the brand's signature floral dresses, but I had totally forgotten that she even got married in a Laura Ashley dress (a purple velvet one, to be exact). 

Now that the brand is back with some very cute 2018 items, I decided to test out the collab for myself—with a little inspiration from my mom's chicest '80s looks, of course. One of the collection's blouses has a floral print that reminded me of my mom's puffy-sleeved dress, so I immediately zeroed in on that piece. My mom also layered a cute red striped Laura Ashley dress over a white blouse, so I decided to style another dress from the collab over a white tee. (Do I get bonus points for also wearing the same Nike Cortez sneakers that my dad is wearing in the photo?) Scroll down to see how my mom and I style Laura Ashley dresses over 30 years apart. 

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My Mom and Dad, 1985
(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

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Me, 2018
(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

On me: Laura Ashley & UO Launa Button-Down Shirt ($59); AG jeans; Gimaguas bag; Sam Edelman shoes

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(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

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My Mom's Laura Ashley Wedding Dress, 1986
(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

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My Mom and Dad, 1985
(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

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Me, 2018
(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

On me: Laura Ashley & UO Lace-Up Midi Dress ($79) and Bow Scrunchie ($8, available in blue); Casa Chiqui bag; Nike Cortez Basic Leather OG Sneakers ($75)

Shop the Full Collab

Erin Fitzpatrick
Senior News Editor

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 12 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of senior news editor (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.