Over the millennium, Fashionistas have asked: What is that Je ne sais quoi that fashionable ‘It Girls’ have that the rest of us admire and try to make our own? 
 
Whether it’s an Evening Dress, a Little Black Dress, or Pencil Skirt, there’s just something CHIC about a cultivated look that tops it all off with the perfect Statement Accessory piece.   
 
Whereas layering several Statement Pieces onto one outfit is itself a ‘look,’ fashion deftness is what brings forward the Haute Look and keeps us away from the ‘Sin of Overdressing.’
 
Taking a lesson from these photos of stylish European Women seen on the streets of Paris this year, we can see just how elusive a sexy look can be.  But try to master it, we must! 
 
In an effort to distill the essence of the perfect Haute Look for Wedding, Evening, Day, or StreetWear in all its effortless yet refined history, let’s start with what we know truly, always and forever works:
 
 #1 – Choosing Gowns, Dresses and corresponding Wrap Accessories which are more ‘Body-Skimming’ and less ‘Body-Revealing.’  Keeping our focus on our ‘Silhouette’ will bring forward results that are ultimately more sensual and sympathetic to the differing sizes, shapes and ages that we bring to either our Street Wear or our Wedding Party.
 
#2 – Paying strict attention to our Wardrobe Coordinates, we allow our Accessories to float on a solid canvas that blends our look together.  Whether it’s topping our Blue Gown with an Embroidered Beige Silk Stole Wrap with diamond earrings and wristlet, wrapping a Black Silk Shawl Wrap over a Black and white Evening Dress on the way to the Theatre, embracing our shoulders with a Silver Lilac Shawl Wrap over a Little Black Dress for an Evening Dinner event, out On-the-Town during Paris Fashion Week in a Lace Evening Dress and White Vintage Fur Stole Cape around our shoulders, tying a Pastel Blue Gray Silk Stole Wrap around our neck over a Floral Day Dress on a shopping trip, or jetting off to the Monet Museum with a Silk Foulard Wrap tied at our neck, our goal is to unify all elements into a seamless whole.
 
#3 – Without question we ‘Go-For-The-Flow’ in our ensemble.  Nothing starched or stiff will do – and that goes for hair as well.  A simple twisted chignon pulled off the face, pinned or sleek looks romantic against the highlights of either an Embroidered or Floral Graphic, Silk Satin or Silk Chiffon Stole wrapped around our natural looks that we meld together for a natural glow.
 
#4 - We strive to 'delight' those who behold us!  While some of us hold firmly to the belief in neutral monotones in our Gowns and Dresses, we nonetheless uphold the truth that every Chic French or Italian Woman knows is essential:  the One Flirty Item.  Of course, lovers of White Stole know that One Silk Stole or Shawl Wrap – whether floral, graphic, embroidered or embellished with our black eyeliner and heels will steal the day for us!
 
#5 – In our hearts and minds we know that nothing cheap will satisfy us.  We are prepared to INVEST for the long haul in a Couture Silk Stole, Scarf or Foulard Classic Wrap that will act as a cornerstone in our wardrobe throughout the years to come.  And exist as the Perfect Accessory no matter at what age we wear it.  We are passionate about keeping our Luxe Silk Stole Wrap Accessory in immaculate condition to allow us to wear and treasure it for life…and simply change our clothes around it!
 
#6 – We don’t hesitate to BE BOLD.  Whereas this thinking begins with our lingerie and lace stockings under our well-cut basics cut to flatter our bodies, it ends with eccentric touches in our Luxe Accessory.  Since our goal is to find what we love and make it our ‘Signature,’ we choose our Silk Stole or Shawl Wrap piece for ourselves or those in our entourage to take pleasure in ‘being a woman’ in love with…herself!
 
#7 – We eliminate too much of anything that will take the spotlight off our glowing Silhouette...whether that be clashing colors, blush or lipstick, too much gloss, too much hairspray, too many baubles, too many ruffles, or too many bouquets!
 
#8 – Above all, we Bedazzle.  Our goal is to allow our One Perfectly Stunning Wrap Accessory to steal the show!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Shawl and Foulard Wraps, Vintage Stoles and Cape Boleros for purchase, or rental, on our website.

As sexual roles began to blur in the 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent carved a new identity that addressed the interplay between masculine and feminine. 

White Stole continues its research into the history of one of the most famous “Couturiers” of all time precisely because Saint Laurent’s exploration led in 1966 to his creation of the first version of the androgynous look for evening wear: The Tuxedo, “Le Smoking.”   This controversial “new” look which was feminized by pairing it with an organdy blouse with a soft bow. 

Saint Laurent challenged the customary codes of Evening Wear, which at the time were low-cut gowns for women and tuxedos for men, and went further to adopt menswear designs of the motorcycle jacket, the pantsuit, the trench coat, the aviator jumpsuit, and the safari jacket for his ready-to-wear line.  

​This is the kind of innovation that is in the very heart of the White Stole Collection! 

With Yves Saint Laurent’s launch of his ready-to-wear brand, SAINT LAURENT rive gauche in 1962, which pioneered the concept of Luxury Ready-to-Wear, his collections drew more and more inspiration from street life and pop culture. 

Saint Laurent’s proclamation that “you no longer need to be rich to have style” became forever wed in the hearts and minds of his admirers the world-over. 

At SAINT LAURENT rive gauche, he proposed “options” whether for Street Wear, Evening Wear or Wedding Dress - leaving a woman to choose whatever combinations she wanted, making it possible for women of all ages and circumstances to express their individuality. 

In every way, Saint Laurent anticipated the social revolution and dismissed the conventions and restrictions that anchored women’s fashion to the past.  His choice of muses who were famous women in their own right, notably, Betty Catroux, LouLou de La Falaise, and Paloma Picasso, added to his unique ability to design for the many inspiring facets of a modern woman, and sealed in the minds of the fashion world his ability to exemplify the synchronicity between appearance and lifestyle.   

Saint Laurent believed precisely matched outfits stood in the way of true self-expression.  The search for a “Look” replaced the choice of an “Outfit.” 

Loulou de La Falaise famously declared, ‘An outfit was something that was determined earlier - whereas a look is an idea!’

Saint Laurent boldly introduced the influential Retro Movement to a younger generation tired of the casual hippie look but who saw Haute Couture as a symbol of inequality.  With his ready-to-wear line, Saint Laurent offered an "alternative to Haute Couture," creating styles that were more affordable and easier to wear.  Through his ability to read and interpret the events of the world, Saint Laurent’s status grew equal to that of rockstars’ 

Saint Laurent’s influence extended well beyond fashion to the Art World. 

Saint Laurent’s first incorporation of fine art into fashion was the iconic Mondrian dress from 1965, which was a design based on Piet Mondrian’s 1920’s signature geometric composition that marked a breakthrough in modern painting.  Next, Saint Laurent turned his attention to artists of his own era who embodied the youthful spirit of Pop Art.  
Andy Warhol famously proclaimed “This guy is the only designer in Paris who really belongs to the sixties because he’s part of the world around him and therefore understands it” – a notoriety that propelled him to the Celebrity Couturier status that stayed with him throughout his career.

White Stole feels Saint Laurent’s embrace by bringing forward luxury Silk Couture Stoles to women who crave Haute Couture fashion at an affordable price!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes, Shawls, Foulard Scaves and Veiled Bridal Hair Accessories for purchase, or rental, on our website.

The endless stream of new collections seen on the 2015 fashion runways from New York to London, Paris to Milan might be overwhelming, but White Stole’s stylists got their shot of excitement from Street Style moments caught on camera by superstar fashion bloggers and their paparazzi on the scene.  And Wedding Style enthusiasts everywhere are taking notes! 

In our eyes, it wasn’t on the catwalks where the free-flowing looks were most stunning – it was on the streets.  While the ’70s may be one of Spring 2015’s biggest looks, fashion girls from bloggers to stylists are seriously getting into the retro mood now.  Clearly, Statement Dressing has taken on a whole new meaning with hair and accessories that look effortless while dramatic enough to bring forward your signature splash. 

As admirers of any woman sporting a superbly styled wardrobe, we find ourselves drawing style-parallels between Street and Gala Styling.  Clearly, a Stole adds polish to an otherwise monochromatic look.  As in all cases from vanilla and ivory, to platinum, gold, or violet, we suggest you simply coordinate varying hues of the same color without fear of mixing colors and prints.  The Stole’s subtle embellishment adds interest and elgance to a same-color ensemble while speaking your mastery of the art of modern femininity. Whether a Silk Stole or a Vintage Stole, the effortless look they supply are everything you need to be warm or classy while still timelessly chic.

Infuse a bit of Italian-inspired glamour and practicality into your wardrobe by taking tips from these Stole photos that blew beautifully in the wind across the spectrum of fashionable cities…and warmed our hearts and shoulders!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

The first Shawls, or "Shals," were part of traditional Persian costume in Achaemenid Persia worn by both males and females. Shawls were also part of the traditional costume in Kashmir, India, which was probably introduced via assimilation to Persian culture. They were woven in extremely fine woolen twill, some such as the Orenberg Shawl, were even said to be so fine as to fit through a ring. 

Kashmiri Shawls came in two classes:  they could be loom-woven in one color or in different colors (called tilikar or tiliwalla), and woven in one piece but more often sewn in small segments that are imperceptibly sewn together; or they could be ornately woven and embroidered (called ameli or amlikar). in which an intricate and elaborate pattern is stitched on top of plain pashmina wool.

Kashmiri Shawls as high-fashion garments were brought to Western Europe in the early- to mid-19th century.  Imitation Kashmiri Shawls woven in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland are the origin of the name of the traditional paisley pattern.  Shawls were also manufactured in the city of Norwich, Norfolk, England from the late 18th century (and some two decades before Paisley) until about the 1870s.   The Kashmiri Shawls from Asia maintained a pre-eminent place the world-over for their beauty and quality, particularly the Lightweight Wool Shawls, delicate Silk Shawls, and more sturdy Wool Shawls, however, it is due to their western imitations that Shawls took Europe by storm, replacing fibers like cotton and linen, thereby making it one of the most important accessory pieces in garment history.

The Kashmiri Shawl is characterized by the elaboration of its design, in which the "cone" pattern is a prominent feature, and by the glowing harmony, brilliance, depth, and enduring qualities of its colors. The basis of this richness is found in the very fine, soft, short, flossy under-wool, called pashm or pashmina, found on the shawl-goat, a variety of Capra hircus inhabiting the elevated regions of Tibet.  There are several varieties of pashm, but the finest is a strict monopoly of the maharaja of Kashmir. India.  Inferior pashm and Kirman wool - a fine soft Persian sheep's wool - are used for shawl weaving at Amritsar and other places in the Punjab of India, where colonies of Kashmiri weavers are established. 

Kashmiri Shawls reached their widest and most universal appeal in the West due to Napoleon’s conquests in Egypt and his alleged gifts of Shawls to Josephine, that galvanized their notoriety.

Silk Shawls with fringes, made in China, were available by the first decade of the 19th century.  Ones with embroidery and fringes were available in Europe and the Americas by 1820. These were called China Crepe Shawls, China Shawls, and in Spain " Mantones de Manila" because they were shipped to Spain from China via the port of Manila. 

While the importance of Embroidered Shawls in fashionable women's wardrobes declined between 1865 and 1870 in Western culture, they became part of folk dress in a number of places including Germany, the Near East, various parts of Latin America, and Spain where they became a part of gypsy dress - especially in Andalusia and Madrid.  These Embroidered Shawls were revived in the 1920s under the name Spanish Shawls, a named derived from their use as part of the dress of Spanish Gypsies, also known as Gitanas. Their use as part of the costume of the lead in the opera Carmen contributed to the association of the Shawls with Spain rather than China. 

Shawls are used today to keep warm, for added fashion to complement a costume, and for symbolic reasons at outdoor or indoor evening affairs where the temperature is not warm enough for women in sheer or off-shoulder dresses where a jacket might be inappropriate.

View White Stole’s entire collection of Cashmere-Silk Shawls, Stoles, Silk Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes for purchase, or rental, on our website.

The elegant inspiration of a flowing Stole as a formal wrap of expensive fabric wrapped around the shoulders over a long dress or ballgown, created from silk or natural fabric, and of a length long enough to be draped across either shoulders, or around arms or neck has survived in all cultures throughout the ages. 

A Stole Wrap is typically narrower than a Shawl, and of simpler construction than a Stole Cape, and is typically worn loosely around the shoulders. Lighter materials such as silk and chiffon are simply finished or cropped, hemmed and bound.  Heavier materials such as fur and brocade are typically lined.  A Silk Stole is essentially a small version of a ladies’ Stole, made of silk. Though these garments or accessories aren’t always made of silk, they are typically manufactured with similar quality fabrics.

A Stole can also mean a fur or set of furs.  For formal wear, a finished length of fur using pelts from more than one animal is worn over a suit, dress or gown.  In this case, the word Stole stands alone or is used in combination: Fur Stole, Mink Stole.  A Stole is typically narrower than a Cape or Wrap.  The Fur Stole is kept fastened and held together at the front of the collar. Unlike a Silk Stole or Shawl, which is wrapped loosely around a lady’s shoulders and occasionally the neck, a Fur Stole is manufactured to fit the body more snugly

Similar to a Shawl, the Stole Cape typically uses more material length and covers more of the upper body. Also occasionally referred to as a Stole Wrap, the Stole Cape is likely to be found in a wide array of materials and colors, but the most common type of Stole Cape is typically made of fur.  Some popular dressy styles of Stole Capes might include ostrich feathers, marabou, or other material. The feathers can come in various colors, although black, brown and white are generally the most commonly seen.

In addition to making an elegant fashion statement, all types of Stoles have been used to show respect while in a church or in a formal setting, such as for a Wedding, where it might be inappropriate to display bare shoulders or a low-cut gown.

Historically, Stoles were considered ceremonial dress worn for special occasions or at formal events such as weddings, coronations, graduations, parades, religious rites and galas.  Besides the Wedding Dress, throughout history the formal dress code of ceremonial dress has included the Ermine-lined Cloak, Crown and Septer of a King or Queen, Tribal Dress, Suit of Armor, Military Dress, Liturgical Robe, Graduation Gown, and Robe and Wig worn by British judges.  The Stole as an ecclesiastical vestment consisted of a narrow strip of silk or other material worn over the shoulders or, by deacons, over the left shoulder only, and arranged to hang down in front to the knee or below.  The Stole as a long robe was worn by the matrons of Ancient Rome. 

The lithograph plate posted here showing a variety of ways of wearing shawls in early 19th-century France (ca. 1802-1814), is redrawn from various early 19th-century sources by Durin for Albert Charles Auguste Racinet's Le Costume Historique (1888), and shows the myriad, exquisite ways the Silk Stole Wrap has been worn over the ages.

View White Stole's entire collection of Stoles, Silk Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

Folk-art, irony, youth culture and Rock and Roll all affected fur wrap fashion in the second half of the 60’s, bringing about an almost infinite amount of unpredictability in outerwear design.  Fur trimmings were an important factor in fashion for ladies in the Sixties, as the Createurs added refined details and fringe to collars, cuffs, borders, skirt hems, hats and scarves on every luxurious design presented.  Side-by-side with these details came an explosion of artistic follies that turned into a powerful trend.

Pellegrini presented a “gaucho” outfit in Persian lamb inset with zebra, Nina Ricci presented leopard "trousers," while Yves Saint Laurent added fringes of tails at cuffs and borders to an ermine "cape" of black and white squares.  This change in style brought to the streets “ponchos” that came in every fur type with great fringes in chamois or contrasting fur worn over mink "trouser-skirts", zebra "coats" made of a whole skin and decorated with lapels, collar and cuffs of silver fox, as well as mink “mini top-coats” in mink or champagne-colored Persian lamb that came down to the edge of a long stretch of boots with cuffs, collars and hems in opossum. 

Simultaneously, a search for the “Folk-art” look exploded onto the scene with a leopard and zebra "bikini" and "beach-wrap" by Sergio Soldano, the young, unrestrained furrier from Genova, Italy, whose profusion of colors captured the adoration of everyone from Gina Lollobrigida to Raquel Welch.  Revolutionary and eclectic, from the end of the Sixties onward, Soldano’s production of spectacular designs included the inspiration of the “squaw coat" and “savage” furs, to nostalgia for the 20’s in Al Capone-style "sports coats" in monkey fur and mink "mini-skirts," along with great "ponchos" of goatskin or long, "floor-length coats".  His spectacular creations spurred continual research into new methods of working with fur alongside creation of the vivid color palettes he favored – from different shades or green and twill, wheat, red lacquer and white, ruby red, ochre and lime green, pale blues, pinkish terracotta, parchment, China blue and more.

This was a time when the imagination in fur design knew no bounds.

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

In the process of demystifying
fur fashion in the 60’s, it was almost natural to turn to sport.  The formula from the middle of the decade onwards was for more and more tailor-mades, coats, jackets, tunics, skirts and trousers of fur typically in sporting garments. 

Yves Saint Laurent took the drama out of leopard-skin by presenting a pullover with sleeves and collar of ribbed knitting.  Fur combined with leather, as well as leather coats lined and belted in white fur were seen on the streets.  Most notably, the coupling of knitwear and fur that had precedents in the Fifties proved itself by the Sixties to be a trend that would last for atleast twenty years.

The Frankfurt Fair in 1968 celebrated the creations of Jole Veneziani, the godmother of the show, alongside creations by the most renowned names in Italian fur fashion:  Melloni, Parodi, Pellegrini, Rossini & Porro, and Viscardi. Fur Fashion Luminaries now created the first tennis outfit with a short skirt of white mink, Pucci designed a bush-jacket in black Persian lamb with white knitted borders, others created trousers, tunics and boots, ski-suits, anoraks and gaiters for winter sports, hooded jackets or cardigans and pullovers bordered or braided with multi-colored knitting worked in furrier’s point, giving it the elegant effect that created it’s rage. 

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.