Laura Ashley Tea in Tustin Offers a Spot of Gentility

This time of year--when the Victorian McCharles House in Tustin hosts its annual Laura Ashley tea--is a thrill for fans of English country gentility.

The restaurant celebrated Mother’s Day with a fashion show and tea luncheon held over the last two Sundays.

Models as young as 20 months old were attired in quintessential Laura Ashley. There were loads of pretty sun dresses covered in flowers and straw hats with brims ideal for tweaking.

Madras plaid and solids in burnt orange, dusty rose and blue had a crispness that belied their chalky shades. A definite silhouette favorite: skirts and dresses that wrapped.

The two-story period home and its English garden that was beautifully in bloom were packed with mothers and daughters, aunts and nieces, feasting on traditional teatime fare: chicken curry and cucumber dill sandwiches, scones with cream and raspberry preserves, lemon tartlets Edwardian cheese with kiwi and, of course, a steaming cup of the house Darjeeling or a tall vanilla ice tea.

Three seatings accommodated about 130 guests each time. In addition to the clothing, vignettes of Laura Ashley furnishings were also on view.