https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:24:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634861 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 23:56:43 +0000 rachylou 1634861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol, Deb! No?</p> <p>I feel I could do the florals... In short sleeve or sleeveless... I do! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634846 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 23:23:35 +0000 deb 1634846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, no, not slip on sneakers! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634843 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 23:19:30 +0000 rabbit 1634843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know googling images, I think it's the print that is the barrier. &nbsp; That kind of floral (colors, scale, the kind of stylized linework) just hasn't yet come back in again since the 80's, which means it's probably due to, lol. &nbsp; If a dress was bleached white or dyed black it might have a chance of being prairie but capable of being styled in an edgy or boho way.&nbsp;</p> <p>The last time I wore that kind of print was red roses on black cotton in strappy fit and flare sundress, which of course I wore with black stompy boots in the 90's.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634697 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 19:16:24 +0000 rachylou 1634697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's funny. I'm a contrarian. The more I think about my old Laura Ashley dresses, about how really off they'd look now, the more I want to try and make them work again. Sadly, I think I've given them all away, including my precious blue cabbage rose with matching hat. But what could make such a dress look less like a tv show costume for Little House On The Prairie? I wonder if slip on sneakers would do it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634685 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:40:05 +0000 Anonymous 1634685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's just it, Rachylou. I think my mom made me one or two Gunne Sax or Laura Ashley style dresses, but that was it, and I don't want to wear that look again. Looking back on it, I didn't carry off the look as well as I thought I did. Oh the joys of being a teenager wearing whatever is in style, right? Now that I have a much better idea of what suits me, I know that Laura Ashley is not for me. Some things are simply better left in the past.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634660 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:44:25 +0000 Anonymous 1634660@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Rachylou<br /> Ok, now I get it. Apologies for jumping in waving my Laura Ashley flag. Well I googled Laura Ashley 1980s fashion, and it was interesting. Some a definite no. They looked too costume like. Some I nostalgically liked. But there were some examples that were more pared back and I'd definitely still wear eg, knits, a line skirts, simple sundresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634543 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 14:50:10 +0000 rachylou 1634543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Janome! We've been talking about doing reduxes of past fashion eras on the forum here. The fad for retro, that is. The question is, are you into the idea of doing 1980s Laura Ashley again? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634446 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 11:16:11 +0000 Anonymous 1634446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ummm... I'm not sure if I've missed the point of this discussion, but it seems there's criticism of Laura Ashley that I find quite disappointing. Simply googling the Laura Ashley winter 2016 range has shown what I'd consider a stunning modern range. If this apparent ground swell of negative comments is in response to the fabrics and pin tucks that to this day 'date' a 1980s Laura Ashley dress, well, of course! It was the 80's and there's been an evolution obviously. As there has been with any fashion. Laura Ashley as a company I believe has been around since the 1950s, and in today's retail/economic that's no small feat. And dare I suggest, that's because many people continue to buy her stuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634427 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 08:24:43 +0000 rachylou 1634427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, you remind me. I had beautiful LA and RL linens. I particularly remember a deep green and periwinkle blue floral LA comforter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634373 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 02:55:04 +0000 Colette 1634373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>RL yes! LA no!!! However, when my Parents renovate our home when I was in high school, my Mom chose LA bed linens for my room. Oh how I loved them, all white background with dainty pink flowers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/3#post-1634370 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 02:49:17 +0000 rachylou 1634370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, rayon crepe! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634368 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 02:45:30 +0000 retailgirl 1634368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Ralph Lauren. His designs are timeless. Laura Ashley, not so much. I do remember Gunne sax. Another 80's thing: Belle France dresses, little prints on rayon crepe. I loved them, wanted one, could afford it, but they always looked like a housedress on me. I look better in tailored things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634217 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 18:58:55 +0000 rachylou 1634217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I remember girls choosing Gunne Sax for prom. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634212 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 18:50:14 +0000 Banoffi 1634212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread really brings me back in time... &nbsp;<br /> Gunne Sax!&nbsp; Didn't they make prom dresses? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634198 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 18:12:17 +0000 rachylou 1634198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Omg, Beth: I forgot about the bows!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634197 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 18:11:05 +0000 Beth 1634197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In college in the mid- to late-80s, we used to wear Laura Ashley dresses to steeplechase races on weekends. And we wore them with HAIR BOWS.&nbsp;</p> <p>By the mid 90's, though, I cringed when my best friend chose LA for us as bridesmaids dresses. Tea length, green velvet, sweetheart neckline, and covered buttons down the front.</p> <p>I believe the label was sold after Laura Ashley's death.</p> <p>But Ralph Lauren? He's a true American classic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634184 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 17:47:45 +0000 rachylou 1634184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That makes me so laugh, krish. Lol.</p> <p>That's something to think about, Betty! The test of time...hmm. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634057 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 12:19:09 +0000 Anonymous 1634057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the takeaway from this is that Laura Ashley's designs didn't have the staying power that Ralph Lauren's have had. The RL brand has stood the test of time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1634056 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 12:07:57 +0000 krishnidoux 1634056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bad memories from Laura Ashley... a girl in my class showing up in the whole 1900 get up, bib/apron and fabric lace adorned limp hat included. Major cringe. Ugh.&nbsp;<br />But still love RL! I guess I'm preppy somewhere in my heart...&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633799 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 18:43:31 +0000 catseye 1633799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the Ralph Lauren polo line for little boys. My son wears them. Well, until the under armors take over in upper elementary school, I guess.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633796 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 18:39:59 +0000 rachylou 1633796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also, ok, can I say half my relatives switched to Tommy Hilfiger at some point and his stuff has never done it for me - although I like him and his ads. I have one pair of TH pants and I feel like a hobbit in them...but I keep them because my mother says nice things to me when I wear them, haha! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633787 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 18:20:39 +0000 rachylou 1633787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I sadly still love a room all done in the same floral... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633785 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 18:19:29 +0000 Mochi 1633785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heh, I remember Gunne Sax.&nbsp;</p> <p>Laura Ashley is not the Antichrist by any means. It's just a sensibility that is probably okay (for me, anyway) in extremely small doses. Like a dress. And yes, a little girl in a LA dress would be adorable. But as an interior design scheme, oh no......... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633773 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 18:05:20 +0000 catgirl 1633773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That was me... I forget the name all the time, and then it will randomly come to me!&nbsp; But a look that could not be more wrong for me in every way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633755 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:26:35 +0000 BrieN 1633755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura -- me too, was trying to remember Gunne Sax! That would have bothered me no end. Thankful to the OP who mentioned it. &nbsp;Oh how I longed for a Gunne Sax dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633752 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:23:42 +0000 Anonymous 1633752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes to Ralph Lauren. No to Laura Ashley style..I was never a fan of floral cotton frocks with frills.</p> <p>@Lisap...Laura Ashley passed away at the too early age of 60 (in 1985)&nbsp;after a fall down stairs caused a brain haemorrhage.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633749 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:12:05 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1633749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gunne Sax! That was the one I was trying to remember yesterday. Those were more 70s/boho iirc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633740 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 16:59:22 +0000 Aziraphale 1633740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ralph Lauren is too preppy for my taste, but looks good on others.</p> <p>Laura Ashley is for the most part the antithesis of cool style, but I have to confess that my high school grad dress was a Laura Ashley and it was fabulous. It still would be if you took off the puffy 1980s sleeves. Instead of the usual ditsy floral, it was a solid emerald green, but with a floral print that was only visible when the light hit it from an angle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633597 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 12:06:27 +0000 Anonymous 1633597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ralph Lauren? Definitely</p> <p>Laura Ashley? Heavens no! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-but-what-about-the-ralph-lauren-years/page/2#post-1633569 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 10:23:30 +0000 Style Fan 1633569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the RL turquoise jewellery that he uses in his ads.&nbsp; I did own a Laura Ashley skirt and underskirt.&nbsp; I bought it in London England in the 1970s.&nbsp; Not too flouncy.&nbsp; I was never into florals so she was never one of my favourites.&nbsp; </p>