With all the pomp, circumstance and ceremony fit for a proper Royal Wedding Party, White Stole did what it always does to celebrate Romantic Milestones by bringing together the chicest of Seattle models’ silhouettes with the luxe of silk, satin, lace and fine china, from old to new, to capture the times we live in.   

No matter the era, the best Couture Creations, and the gifted Photographers who have captured their allure, have always layered multiple elements and meanings into their work.  To that end, White Stole’s luxurious photoshoot brought their Creative Universe to celebrate the time-honored Bridal Rehearsal Dinner in the most Royal-fashioned way – with a high-fashion Tea Party!  

This modern twist on the traditional Bridal Rehearsal Dinner was the brainchild of Stylist, Curator and Producer Roberta Nasser and her White Stole Couture Collection as a Bridal Tea Party happening set in the old-world elegance of the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle, Washington on March 11, 2018 in anticipation of the upcoming Royal Wedding between an American woman, Meghan Markle, and a British gentleman, Prince Harry.  

The vision created of Couture Wedding and Evening Luxe in which each woman’s ensemble is, in and of itself, a
representation of popular Wedding and Evening Themes from:
Floral Garden and Romantic, to Vintage, Retro, Whimsical, Eco Conscious and Modern Urban Chic to Evening Glam.

​Being high-season around the world again for a Royal Wedding, White Stole created this collaborative event to span both the fashion and the wedding industries in Seattle, WA, taking a fresh look at this theme from a truly 'American' and 'Seattle' viewpoint.  

Watch our blog for more Live Coverage of our photoshoot's celebration of the Royal Wedding Day!

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.

​If you want a dose of big city styling for an upcoming Holiday Season Wedding, do what Janine and Mark did….and let White Stole help you avoid the cost of a plane ticket!  
 
It may have been one of the rainiest days of the year, but those drops only highlighted Janine and Mark’s dream of a “Northwest Glam” Thanksgiving Day Wedding featured in Seattle MetBride and Groom Magazine.  

And White Stole was there to "Wrap-Up" their love for a lifetime!  The Edgewater Hotel was a perfect Puget Sound backdrop to the bride’s gown and cascading bouquet...topped, of course, by the elegance of the "Lucille" Ultra-Luxe Vintage Bridal Stole from White Stole!   We simply fall in love with her style!
 
There’s always a wedding somewhere in the world, and with all the choice the White Stole Collection offers those devoted to handmade, hand-silk-screened, heritage luxury goods, everyone from Brides and their entourage to wedding guests looking for a Luxe Accessory can find something to get excited about.
 
We’ve got you all wrapped-up in Love with Vintage-Inspiration from our natural toned Stoles that will warm your heart as you melt in his arms!

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

 White Stole has become the go-to for Indie Brides looking for One-of-a-Kind Vintage, Silk Satin, Lace or Tulle Wraps and Cover-Ups.  Especially now, as the look of the moment is short and glammy with a certain Alt-Rock sensibility inspired by the 90’s! 
 
In perfect Riot Girls style, the 90’s casual air of slouchy jeans and sneakers has pervaded Evening Wear and taken the look up 10 notches with Slip Dresses layered over clingy knits and over-the-knee stockings worn with anything from ankle boots to platform sandals… and, of course, layers of minimalist jewelry and VINTAGE FUR.  This is not your Old-90’s Rock cocktail look, ladies!  Look forward!
 
To address their discriminating Brides’ tastes, White Stole has curated an Across-the-Era Collection of Vintage and Couture Wraps, Stoles and Cover-Ups to satisfy the predilection of women who crave Haute Couture fashion at an affordable price. 
 
At White Stole, the Bride-To-Be can indulge in everything from her love of a Modern-Day Brigitte Bardo BOHO, or Uptown East Village Hippie Chic to her Downtown LUXE Urban Chic sensibility….all at a price-point for herself and her entourage that will allow them all to have a treasured day, and a perfect Momento in the years ahead.
 
Simply choose from one of our favorite Valentino or Leonard, Paris Silk Satin Stole Wrap Collection, or our Vintage Rental Stole Collection. These iconic brands’ graphic collections feature rich embroidery,  color blocking and design to add superb styling to timeless, hand-crafted quality essentials…all with a decidedly cool Modern Wedding flare.
 
Whether buying for yourself or for someone in your wedding party, wrap-up these Luxe Classics for a very stylish Wedding Day!
 
View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes, Shawls 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.

Like all good fashion movements, the “New Romanticism” emerged from the late 60's and 70’s club scene where the fast and chic, fueled by New Wave music, adopted the extravagant Lace-and-Frills style best seen throughout the era in glam rock, or the free-spirited French Incroyables and Merveilleuses an era earlier -  both of which brought an outbreak of luxury, decadence and even silliness to fashion trends.

The 70's New Romanticism was the era that birthed the iconic Hermes “Birkin” bag, and invented the unshaven, untucked template that French men have been following for decades.  A time when no one had that many outfits, but their taste was select and precise.  We need only look to images of the 1966 racing flick Grand Prix, in which the high-cheekbones and wind-tousled bangs of shy and slightly androgynous-looking models became the epitome of French Chic to see that the passion for graphic lines, lean tops and wide trousers created a playful, upbeat look with fuel to burn.

The runways since have continued to convey these inspirations with Victorian frills, infusions of street style, rock band jackets and vintage inspirations, proving that the New Romanticism is just as exciting as the original Romanticism ever was!  Sparkly pieces, such as sequins, beads and crystals, topped by vintage fur and jewels have become the "New  Appropriate" for weddings, especially when tempered with the casual inspiration of “color.”  

Our stylists at White Stole love the juxtaposition of a jewel-toned gown alongside a feminine, amber-toned clutch and beaded necklace that match the natural tones in an empire length Vintage Stole, as pictured here in the “Sophisticate Stole!” 

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.

So many of us dreamed of being a Prima Ballerina when we grew up.  But if you were like us, we went to class after class trying to perfect a plie only to be forced to look ourselves square in the eye and relinquish the search for prima-perfection – but not the love of the quest!  While our hope to dance in the Nutcracker may not have been reached, our love for pastels, tulle and princess-allure have remained.

When Brides-To-Be ask us, “What do you recommend for a simple, Chic Style for my wedding?” we couldn’t be happier to hear the question!  The answer is so White Stole!  Classic pieces taken to the next level through Prima Ballerina “Princess” Accessories alongside pastels, tulle, ruffles and the highest, pointiest stilettos we can walk in!  

Factor in fine gold or silver accents, the delicacy of lace, beadwork  or sequins, pops of color, and a Bride’s “Signature Flair” for taking Couture or Vintage to the max, and your ensemble catapults you into serious “Ultra-Design-Worthy” territory!  Ballet-inspired bridal fashion is all about taking traditional dance-wear elements like flouncy skirts, wraps and shawls, and pointe shoes and lending them a modern, gala-appropriate elegance.  Exactly what a Couture Silk or Vintage Stole Wrap from the White Stole Collection offers.

We suggest you pirouette your way onto center stage in one of the perfectly ultra-feminine pieces from the White Stole Collection at your wedding this year….and take your deserved place in the limelight!

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 wisest Brides-To-Be view the New Year as the sartorial equivalent of a clean “white” slate- - -and White Stole wholeheartedly agrees!  We encourage you to take the First Day of the year as an opportunity to shake-up your thinking about how you and your entourage will greet the First Day of your married life-to-come!

Rather than reaching for the conventional, vanilla-combo, we suggest you amp-it-up a notch by way of a glamorous, shoulder-hugging Couture Silk Stole Wrap over a delicately-designed Couture or Vintage dress, with a pair of classic heels for a look that is fresh, and totally unexpected. Top it off with a touch of exotic or vintage-flaired floral in your hair, and you are ready to walk the aisle in New Style!

One of our favorite bridal looks is the theme of “Embellished Accents” and the feel of a “Viennese Waltz” for your wedding.  Certainly, you would choose dark florals and poetic fringe or lace scattered throughout your entourage and venue, topped by White Stole’s “Sophisticated Evening Lace” embroidered Couture Silk Stole Wrap by Valentino with elbow-length evening gloves to spin a rich, bohemian vibe throughout the night.  You and your entourage would be perfectly suited to the romance of Old Europe in an autumn or winter wedding, and appropriately outfitted to sip mulled wine and stroll in equal measure amongst either fallen leaves or snow-dusted sidewalks!

Simply choose from one of our favorite Valentino or Leonard, Paris “Silk Satin Stole Wrap” Collections and you are set to roll-into the New Year in extraordinary style!  These iconic brands’ collections feature rich embroidery, color blocking and graphics to add superb styling to timeless essentials, all with a decidedly upbeat flare.  Whether you're buying for yourself or for someone in your wedding party, wrap-up these luxe classics for a very stylish holiday season!

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.

Note:  Sartorial comes from the Modern Latin word sartor which means "tailor"- literally "one who patches and mends." 
In English the adjectives sartorial and sartorially are used to refer to any matter pertaining to the consideration of clothing or fashion.

Formal weddings are the perfect time to dial up the glamour.  Channel your inner Screen-Siren!  Choose a floor-length matte Satin Silk Mermaid Gown hand-made by a local designer, such as Seattle’s Julie Danforth, and top it with a gorgeous, natural-toned Vintage Stole from the White Stole Collection.  Add intricate drop earrings, a delicate orchid arrangement and classic stillettos for height and you’re not only the Wedding Bride, but the Bombshell!

What anyone who has ever owned a Vintage Stole knows is that these luxe designs have a tradition of being made under unflinching standards…entirely by hand.  In fact, it took these Americans hundreds and hundreds of hours to make the Vintage Stoles in White Stole’s collection.  And that truly is the top of luxury today…TAKING TIME.  

The Stole was launched in an era when just one piece was often made for one woman with her initials beautifully embroidered in a luxe thread inside the lining.  No need to accessorize with diamonds and a too-big hair bun.  If the gown was well-made and topped by a meticulously crafted Stole, you didn’t need anything else – not even makeup!  With every stitch crafted just for her, she is beautiful.  And today’s Bride knows that what was good for her Mama, is certainly good for her!

Go overboard!  It’s “Your” wedding, afterall.  What-with grand designs of your favorite Wedding Dress topped by a vast pick of Vintage or Couture Stoles, you are able to style yourself with the maximum “artistic license” you can envision for your Theme Wedding.  White Stole is here for you with styles and colors that will evoke any tradition or heritage you choose to make your own. 

White Stole’s emphasis is to bring a new, artistic approach to the bridal market - not simply luxury, but the creative placement of luxury items to maximize their unique appeal to women who value highly-crafted luxury goods, both past and present.

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.

What’s better than a chic, photogenic Wedding Photographer at her own Spring Wedding?  Six photogenic Bridesmaids snuggling-up close to their Bride for a photo-op!  

Jordan Quinn and her fiance decided to rent a vacation home and invite all of their bridal party to stay with them for the duration of their wedding weekend.  There was no better way, they thought, to capture the fun moments of the weekend with their bridesmaids and groomsmen in all their treasure.  But setting the stage was just the beginning of their Urban Wedding photologue. 

More than a month earlier, Jordan came to White Stole for a styling to choose the Vintage “Evelyn” Classic Capelet Stole because she felt it offered her stunning highlights of the blonde tones in her own coloring over her Wedding Dress Couture, would chase away the chill, and add elegance to the urban festivities.  Of all the Vintage Stoles Jordan tried-on that day at the White Stole Salon, the “Evelyn” Stole provided her the perfect Glam Accessory piece over her Sweetheart Ball Gown.  

Whether running between photoshoots on a cool April Wedding Day, stealing smiles with her entourage, or pensive during a solo, romantic moment, Jordan let luxury go to her head….and became the classiest Bride in Chicago!  See for yourself!  

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

Allow us to remind you during this snowy Christmas Season that Chic Brides experiment and try new roads…and refer to the past with independence. The perfect photo framing of Kristin wrapped in warmth with Chris and her Wedding Party not only shows them in the heart of their lives, but in their love for adventure on the road called Life! 

The passion in Kristin's magnetic personality for the outdoors prompted her to envelop herself in White Stole's Couture-worthy Vintage Bridal Stole alongside Shawls for her entourage...and yes, deep-snow boots...to celebrate her Winter Wedding to Chris.  Set within the idyllic grounds of Suncadia Lodge in Washington State, Kristin walked down her aisle in a way that was not only dressed to the weather, but to thrill! 

It's easy to see that Kristin didn’t fear being cold in her gown in the snow for a minute because her Vintage Stole from White Stole's Ultra-Luxe Collection kept her heart warm!  "Baby, it's Cold Outside," but Kristin is perfectly serene in the snow wrapped in her Vintage "Veronica" Stole.  And Kristin's entourage isn't just jumping for joy for their Bride, either, but for the warmth everyone feels from their Stoles and Shawls while they play in the snow on her wintery Wedding Day.

Clearly, the "Veronica" Stole made their day!  We're with Kristin when she says the outdoors brings the love-out in her. Whatever the temperature, her Vintage Stole will protect her heart as she walks her road towards her years ahead.  

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.

Walking to the beat of your own fashion-heart is all about “your own” pumpkin pie recipe, not Grandma’s!  There are times when abiding by a tried-and-true recipe is critical – like when trying to not make a souffle flop.  But when you are approaching the most important day of your life, we all know deep in our heart that abiding too strictly to fashion “codes” simply drops the exquisite fun and personality from our taste buds.  Not to mention making for less than delicious moments!

And, in an era when the Bridal Market is fueled by emerging mega, online, vanilla-looking shopping, Chic Bridal Shoppers roll with an exclusive entourage of Couture Salons and Online Vendors like White Stole, who help them alter a recipe to bring fresh, new images and memories from all styles and traditions to their Wedding Day’s photo album!

Thankfully, all it takes is a little creativity…and yes, nerve… to steer from convention to elevate yourself to the level of the celebratory dining table!  So here are a few ideas that should propel you to break free of any fashion “rules” you might think exist…and look totally stylish on your Thanksgiving Wedding Day! 

These photos of a White Stole Bridal Party mixed-and-matched 5 Stoles from White Stole’s brown and blue-tipped, long-haired ivory "Ultra-Luxe" Stole Collection over the Attendants' rich purple dresses with the dark-brown-tipped "Ultra-Luxe Passionate" Stole for the Bride over her Vintage Wedding Gown.  The result White Stole calls the New Royal in Vintage Weddings!

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.

Perhaps the only thing harder than finding True Love for the rest of your life is deciding “when” to Tie-The-Knot when you've found it!  So, our stylists have gone the distance to help you accept his proposal…and remind you of everything you need to plan a fall extravaganza that you and your betrothed will be laughing-at-convention-over for as long as you both shall live!

First, considering that fashion’s ever-evolving trend to mix classic lines and elegant silhouettes with more casual textiles, patterns, and color palettes continues season, after season, collection after collection on the runways, allow us to remind you that Autumnal Nuptials come ready to stun with a supply of green foliage, and cornucopia of rustic accents to create a perfectly rich, deep-hued, romantic quality that will make any photoshoot a “Garden of Earthly Delights” when set against burgundy, gold or white florals.  Embrace the rustic ambiance of the season with lush centerpieces that incorporate the seasonal bounty, ruby-colored candles, and pumpkin-spiced cocktails!

Next, and perhaps the most alluring part for any White Stole Bride, is to consider how to cover her shoulders while still letting some skin peek through.  Our Brides feel grateful that the cooler temps allow her and her Wedding Party to choose from a full range of Bridal Wraps – from Silk to Cashmere blends to Vintage Stoles!  She is thrilled at the realization that she won’t have to bribe her Bridesmaids to dress in head-to-toe pastel, and instead can think “elegance” and steer their choices to jewel-toned, velvet or embellished gowns – long or short sleeve, off one-shoulder or both – along with eye-popping Bridal Wraps that do double-duty in chasing-away the evening chill while also making it possible for them to wear them together not-only once….but every time they reunite from This-Day-Forward!

Here are a few of White Stole’s favorite Fall Wedding Wrap photoshoot selections that will have you flowing to the altar before the first wisp of snow!

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.

We have seen them on last year’s runways, but again in 2014 the world’s top Bridal Collections are truly outstanding with their renewed emphasis on elegance…and the Stole: irreplaceable for the Bride who wants to feel like a fairy Princess on her “I do” day.

Reserved for true dreamers, this “Must-Have” accessory gives a royal touch to the wedding - a Princessly allure that each of us look for on the big day.  An elegant detail, light and sinuous, capable of enchanting a Bride’s guests during her triumphant walk down the aisle.  Short or long, the Stole is present in all variations, Silk Chiffon, Silk Satin, Silk Cashmere, Silk Twill, Silk Tulle, Silk Lace, in white, pastel, black or bold colors, floral and graphic patterns fastened with or without the adornment of a broach.  Extremely light, the Silk Chiffon Stole, in particular, lends an elegant touch that gives fluency to the bride’s every movement unlike any other fabric or accessory - whether draped over neck, shoulder or arm, or tied in the back and draped forward over the shoulders.  For the Modern Bride, the sky’s the limit on her style choices of Silk Stoles!

Even more sophisticated, is the Silk Stole with Lace Embroidered patterning, or in the form of a Vintage Tulle. The Stole becomes an essential accessory for every respectable bride, useful to hide necklines, and, when the time is right, reveal them and enjoy the party.  Truly infinite are the combinations of materials for those who are always chilly and love sheer covering over a strapless gown as they move from church to reception or dining room, or across a ballroom floor.  From the sheerest Chiffon to Silk-Cashmere blends to Tulles that give soft volume and silhouette, the Stole’s transparence and delicacy enriches the shoulders with grace and elegance.

It is well- known that the details in your wedding accessories make the difference!  Viva La Difference~!

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.

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.

We have seen them on the runways, but of all the elements within designers’ bridal collections, it is the Stole in it’s many forms that is truly outstanding.  Alongside the traditional Veil, the Stole is irreplaceable for the bride who wants to feel like a fairy princess on her “I do” day.

This “must-have” gives a royal touch to the wedding - a princess allure that each of us look for on our big day.  An elegant detail, light and sinuous, capable of enchanting our guests during the triumphant walk down the aisle. Short or long, the Stole Wrap or Stole Cape is present today in all variations, from tulle, lace, organza, and chiffon, in white, pastel, or stunningly bright colors. Extremely light, the Stole lends an elegant touch that gives fluency to the bride’s movements.

More sophisticated is the Stole Wrap in embroidered or appliqued lace. The Stole Wrap becomes an essential accessory for every respectable bride, useful to conceal jaw-dropping necklines or shoulders, and when the time is right, to uncover them and be able to enjoy the party.  Truly infinite are the combinations of materials, from cashmere-silk blends for those who are always cold, to tulles that give soft volume to figures, to chiffons and silk satin for the most luxurious touch.

Reserved for true dreamers is the transparent and very delicate silk chiffon Stole Cape that enriches the shoulders with see-through grace and elegance. It is well- known that the details make the difference in elegance itself.

View White Stole's entire collection of Stoles, Silk Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls 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.

As the 60’s ushered in the first man in space, the Kennedy assassination and the collapse of the Berlin Wall, so did prosperity grow.  Young women no longer squeezed themselves into latex to imitate Mom, and in response, adults caught the infection of youthful fashion. The Mini Skirt soon became the Maxi.  Fashion changed rapidly into 2 realms:  one the informal, and the other, the formal.  Chanel launched her typical tailor-made suits, and Emilio Pucci enclosed his suits in little bags while ladies went to parties in Pajama Suits.  Nevertheless, the novelty of the 60’s was its use of expensive, natural furs for edging and cowl necks on refined garments that transfigured the usual lines of sports clothes into something very elegant. 

1966 was a year of romanticism in fashion – of a return to femininity.  That year, the Fendis held a show in Rome which became an event of major importance to the fur fashion world.  The regal style of fur for evening seemed to get younger.  “Short” became the new password.   Shirt-blouses, head kerchiefs, little jackets, sleeveless jackets and waistcoats debuted.  From their collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, a fur revolution was born that attempted to use fur as cloth to create a true fur-fashion.  They banished the rule of the “lining,” and colored the pelts in completely new ways, dropping an idea as soon as it took root, which became key to their success.

From their debut in 1966, the Fendis illuminated the catwalks with precious furs dyed apricot or lemon yellow, and amazed people with furs for the whole family until 1970.  In 1966, Fendi released their Bride’s fur of Majestic White Canadian Mink, and two more Wedding Furs in white breitschwantz and white SAGA Mink worked horizontally with satin buttons that swept away the wedding industry with what everyone said was “half mad.”  Rather, the Fendi repertory was limitless, and to do justice to this couture house would take a whole book...not just a blogpost!

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.