What Is Sizing Like at Laura Ashley?

By Ella Blake – Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub – Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

Laura Ashley runs true to UK size, and in many styles runs slightly generously — which is genuinely good news if you're between sizes or simply want comfortable, relaxed fit in those beautiful floral dresses and soft cotton blouses the brand is so beloved for. It's a brand that feels like it was designed for real women, and the sizing largely reflects that.

I'll be upfront — Laura Ashley has a very special place in my wardrobe and my childhood. My mum had a Laura Ashley dress in the late eighties that I remember thinking was the most romantic thing I'd ever seen. When the brand relaunched and came back with a fresh energy a few years back, I was genuinely delighted. I've since worn one of their floral midi dresses to a garden party and received more compliments than I have in years. There's something timeless and utterly wearable about this brand, and getting the sizing right is the key to unlocking all of that.

Laura Ashley Sizing: The Basics

Laura Ashley uses standard UK sizing — so sizes run from 8 through to 22 in most categories, which is one of the things I really appreciate about the brand. The inclusivity of their size range feels genuine rather than an afterthought, and importantly, the designs actually work across that range rather than simply being scaled up versions of a sample size. Most shoppers report that Laura Ashley fits true to size, with a slight generosity particularly across the bust and hips — making it a comfortable, wearable brand that doesn't demand precision the way some more fitted, tailored labels do.

If you're unsure where you sit, my advice is always to go with your usual UK size first. The only exception I'd flag is in their more structured occasionwear pieces — those fitted bodice styles where you might want to check the specific measurements rather than assume.

Laura Ashley Dresses: The Heart of the Brand

This is where Laura Ashley truly excels, and where their sizing feels most considered. Their midi and maxi floral dresses — the brand's signature — are cut to flatter a range of shapes. The fit-and-flare styles are particularly generous through the skirt, making them an excellent choice for pear-shaped figures, while the wrap styles are reliably adjustable and flattering on most body types.

For shift and more fitted dresses, I'd recommend checking the bust measurement carefully — if you're fuller-busted, sizing up by one is a sensible move, as the fitted styles can pull across the chest. But for their relaxed, smock-style, or tiered floral dresses? True to size every time. These are some of the most genuinely easy, stress-free pieces to buy online because the fit is so accommodating.

Laura Ashley Blouses & Tops

The blouses are a real strength of the Laura Ashley wardrobe — floaty, feminine, beautifully printed, and generally very forgiving in fit. Loose-fit and smock styles run true to size or slightly generously; if you prefer a neater, more tucked-in look, you could size down one. Their fitted shirts and more structured button-throughs are true to size, but again, check the bust if you're fuller there — it's consistently the one area where Laura Ashley's cuts can feel a little snug.

Laura Ashley Trousers & Skirts

Good news here too. Laura Ashley trousers — particularly their wide-leg and relaxed-cut styles — run true to size with a comfortable, non-restrictive fit. The waistbands tend to sit at a true UK size measurement, so there's no unpleasant surprise when you pull them on. Their midi and maxi skirts are similarly reliable — true to size, with good movement in the fabric. The brand works particularly well for women who prefer fluid, relaxed silhouettes over clingy or body-con cuts, which is very much the Laura Ashley DNA.

Laura Ashley Occasionwear

For weddings, garden parties, or smarter events, Laura Ashley has quietly become one of the best value-for-money options on the market. Their occasionwear dresses are built with a little more structure than their casual lines, and this is where I'd be most precise about sizing. If a style has a defined waistband or fitted bodice, refer to the measurements rather than purely the size label. The good news is their website size guides are actually quite reliable — Laura Ashley is one of those brands where the stated measurements genuinely match the garment. A nice change from some high street labels I could mention.

My Honest Verdict on Laura Ashley Sizing

Overall? One of the more straightforward brands to shop online. True to UK sizing, with a slight generosity that makes the brand genuinely comfortable and wearable rather than aspirationally fitted. It works beautifully for women who want feminine, flattering pieces without the anxiety of precision sizing. The inclusive size range is a real bonus, and the brand's designs genuinely work at every size they offer — which is, in my experience, rarer than it should be.

Love the Laura Ashley Aesthetic? Here's Where Else to Shop

If you're drawn to that romantic, floral, quintessentially British feminine aesthetic, you're in luck — there are some brilliant brands that share Laura Ashley's spirit at various price points:

High Street & Mid-Range:

Monsoon — The closest high street match for Laura Ashley's floral, occasion-friendly aesthetic. Their printed midi dresses and embroidered blouses are perennial bestsellers, and the sizing is similarly generous and inclusive.
White Stuff — A brand I recommend constantly for relaxed, print-led British dressing. Their quirky florals and linen-blend pieces have a real Laura Ashley warmth to them, and the quality is excellent for the price.
Boden — Cheerful, colourful, brilliantly British. Their floral dresses and printed blouses sit naturally alongside Laura Ashley in any wardrobe, with strong sizing consistency and great reviews for fit.
Joules — Another heritage British brand with a love of florals and countryside prints. Their dresses and blouses are beautifully made for the price, and they share Laura Ashley's relaxed, wearable approach to sizing.
Fat Face — Brilliant for relaxed casual pieces with that British countryside sensibility. Their linen blouses and printed dresses tick a similar box at a very accessible price point.
Anthropologie — If you love Laura Ashley's romantic, maximalist floral prints but want something with a slightly more modern, eclectic edge. Their dresses in particular are stunning, and they cater to a wide size range.
Phase Eight — For the more polished, occasionwear end of the Laura Ashley spectrum. Phase Eight's floral midi dresses and tailored feminine pieces are beautiful, reliable, and consistently well-reviewed for fit and quality.

Premium & Luxury:

Mint Velvet — Elevated, print-led feminine dressing with real quality behind it. Their floral and botanical prints feel luxurious, and the brand sits naturally as the premium step up from Laura Ashley.
Hush — Understated, beautifully made, with a growing range of soft florals and relaxed prints. If you want Laura Ashley's ease without the maximalism, Hush is your answer.

And for two more independent, slightly left-field picks that I think any Laura Ashley lover should know about:

Cabbages & Roses — A small British brand that is, quite frankly, the spiritual heir to Laura Ashley. Romantic florals, vintage-inspired cuts, beautiful fabrics, and a design sensibility that feels genuinely special. If you haven't discovered them yet, you're very welcome.
Fable England — A heritage-inspired British brand with gorgeous nature-print blouses and dresses that feel genuinely artisan. Less well known than it deserves to be, and producing some of the most beautiful printed pieces on the British market right now.

Always Get Your Size Right — Tellar Makes It Simple

Laura Ashley's sizing is one of the easier ones to navigate — but every brand sits slightly differently, and that's exactly what Tellar.co.uk is built to solve. Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool, instantly matching your measurements to 1,500+ brands so you always order the right size, first time.

Measure once — just your bust, waist, and hips, or use a brand size you already know fits
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size across 1,500+ brands — from Laura Ashley to Monsoon, Phase Eight, Boden and beyond
Always free — no app download, no subscription, works instantly in your browser

And don't miss the Tellar Fashion Hub — hundreds of free, honest, unsponsored style guides from our in-house stylists. No ads, no sponsored content, just real advice you can actually trust.

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