A 1940’s depression-era Bride may have worn her Sunday best suit with a military air to be married at the Courthouse, or perhaps made herself a simple off-white, ivory or beige dress she designed from furnishing fabrics with Gibson or mutton sleeves that billowed at the top and tapered to fit below the elbow.  She may have made her Veil, too, from lace curtains worn on top of swept-up hair, and carried a flower bouquet made from paper due to war-time rationing.  
A wealthier '40’s Bride may have danced the Jitterbug at her wedding to the sounds of a Big Band in a borrowed  Wedding Gown that featured netting or the hint of the first “sweetheart” shaped neckline and corseted waist made of rayon, or sometimes silk.  But as the era turned the corner to the 1950’s, the influence of Christian Dior’s “New Look” hour-glass dress with it’s flowing skirts made of yards of cloth set the stage for Bridal Wear. 

The '50’s Brides are seen encircled in lace or cutwork, overskirts and puffed sleeves, and yards of transparent gauze or satin inspired by the billowing, luxe skirt, tight-waist and barely visible “sweetheart neckline” of the gown that Grace Kelly wore in 1956 to wed Prince Rainier of Monaco, or by Elizabeth Taylor’s hour-glass Wedding Gown. 

The lifting of rationing on fabric allowed women to celebrate their figures with hoop skirts, crinolines and other full-skirt techniques to emphasize the waist and “pointed bosom” bodice.  French lace was the rage as post-war lace began to be manufactured again, bringing back tiers of Chantilly Lace and flouncy frills to the skirts of Wedding Gowns.

Audrey Hepburn equally influenced Bridal Wear in 1954 with her “Modern Princess” look in a ballerina Tea-Length Lace Wedding Dress with sleeves and few embellishments.  Gloves became the standard fashion of the '50s, with fingerless bridal gloves made of tulle, lace, or satin.  Shorter, flutter hemlines led to shorter veils and many gowns were designed with layered materials, three-quarter or long sleeves, upstanding gothic style collars, or to be worn as strapless evening gowns after the wedding. 

Coordinating flowing or opaque Stoles or Lace Boleros worn on top of a strapless dress for coverage at the wedding became popular at the end of the decade as dress lengths moved from floor-length to ankle-length, and dropped hemlines and scooped necklines appeared. 

The 1950's was a decade defined by decorum, elegance, and etiquette. Traditional, classic wedding receptions featured Wedgewood china, white roses, cut glass, and silver on damask cloths.  Wedding cakes, often displayed under a floral arch, were styled with popular motifs from the era, like poodles. 

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.

While there’s much to love about a Winter Wedding wrapped in a natural-toned Vintage Stole, we are eager to cure the universal winter gray-sky blues with vibrant, vivid-hued Silk Stoles that lend a special boost to brighten a Spring, Garden or Theme Wedding Day - be it 4th of July or Valentine's Day!  And, in our minds, there is no better way to to dial-up your style, no matter what the temperature, than by wrapping your shoulders in both “Luxe” and “Color!”

As the street look of the moment is short and glammy, with a certain alt-rock sensibility inspired by the 90’s, White Stole's "Spring Ribbons ~ Pink" Bridal Stole Wrap Accessory in pure Silk Satin Chiffon by Valentino brings Modern Wedding appeal by becoming wedding's next-big-thing with its flowing ribbon design in shades of pastel pink, rose and ruby…making your wedding dress something to dream about!

Whether we are speaking of the ceremonial location in a Country Club in a northern climate, or a Vacation Resort in a sunny southern destination, whatever the color of your Spring Wedding Day skies, bring glamour forward with a color-inspired wedding on your walk down the aisle!  From iridescent opals and diamonds to flowery or graphic motifs, prepare to obsess over the curation of color that today’s free spirited Bride-To-Be is holding dear to her heart!

Of course, in the heart-of-hearts of any glamorous Bride, the thought of taking her Wedding Day with her into her future is always a heartbeat away.  And what better way to do that than with a luxury silk, couture "Heirloom" Stole Wrap that will serve as both a cherished Momento for her and her bridesmaids of their glorious day, but as a memory that is brought to mind every time she wraps it around her from this day forward? 

White Stole wholeheartedly agrees!

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.

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.

In the 6th century, silkworms were smuggled out of China in bamboo canes and brought to the eastern Mediterranean by two Persian merchants disguised as Priests. From there the labor-intensive business of breeding silkworms is believed to have spread first to Sicily in the 12th century, and then north to the shores of magnificent Lake Como.

The Seduction of Silk on Lake Como's shores is little known to those outside of the fashion industry, but since the turn of the century, Como, a 2,000-year-old Roman town on the southwestern shore of the lake of the same name, has been the center of Italy's silk industry.

Como's picturesque Duomo is the perfect view of the history: Master weavers were already working in Florence in the 13th century. In the 15th century, Venice became a silk processing center. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Milan assumed prominence as both the Italian and European silk capital. By the turn of the 17th century, Como became the country's largest silk producer. Como now produces 85% of all of the silk made in Italy. The silk fibers are still woven, dyed and finished in Italy's finest silk factories, just the way they have always been.

The historic piazza in Como city center tells more of the story:  Designers from virtually every fine house - from Valentino, Leonard Paris, Armani, Chanel, Hermes, Vuitton, Dior, Celine, Balenciaga, Herrera, Etro, Pucci, Burberry, Fendi, to Versace, and beyond - rely on silk from Como. A good deal of the credit for a designer's success goes to the silk houses. While the fashion-line's designers may come to the manufacturers with guidelines and inspiration for the types of fabric designs they envison, it is the manufacturers' artists in Como who actually execute the designs.

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 nuptial spirit, White Stole has compiled a collection of quintessential Bride and Guest-of-the-Bride Silk Wraps we encourage you to take to heart....and shoulder…as these are the Wraps you’ll want to never take off!  Treating your Silk Wrap as the new neutral that it is, this accessory is one that goes with everything - especially now as mixed prints are back in high-style.

Whether you are going to a Country, Garden, City, Glam or Island Resort Wedding, if you are in need of a luxe bauble that will serve as a ‘Thank You’ Gift for your bride or bridesmaids, look no further than the chic, luxury-approved curation White Stole has spent hours putting together for you.  

The unexpected set of Italian hand silk-screened, inspired colors and designs in the White Stole Silk "Gift" Stole Wrap Collection will rock any bride and her bridesmaids past the ceremony and on into her lifetime.  We have picked the perfect presents for your bridesmaids or best-friend that will be cherished - and used -  forever!

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

As a summer day dips into twilight in our more temperate climates, the chill in the air beckons after sundown for an Evening Stole Wrap that will offer light covering and warmth, yet still be suitable for wedding gala festivities where a jacket would certainly not.   

Those of us who run more warm-blooded might have wrapped our Stoles as a Sash around our waists, necks or elbows and left them to drape behind us throughout the reception and on into evening’s dancing.  

In any and all stylish cases, the ever-popular Evening Stole Wrap and Evening Shawl come in many different forms, sizes and price ranges.  Stoles of silk, silk satin, chiffon, organza or similar sheer materials are meant to provide a bit of warmth, though Fur Stoles and Evening Shawls, the latter of which are often knitted, clearly provide more.  The Silk Stole Wrap has historically been paired with an evening gown or dress. These Silk Stole Wraps for evening are typically finished with a simple hem on either end, exuding elegance in being both light and sheer.  Some individuals prefer to pair their Evening Stole Wrap with more casual fashion skirts and dresses since the Evening Stole Wrap will launch any attire into an elegant look for evening when teamed with dressy heels and accessories.

Triangular knit Lace Shawls are usually knitted from the neck down and may or may not be shaped. Faroese Lace Shawls historically are knitted bottom up and contain a center back gusset.  Each shawl consists of two triangular side panels, a trapezoid-shaped back gusset, an edge treatment, and usually shoulder shaping.

On top of warmth, an Evening Stole Wrap is often worn to show off a particular fabric, like silk satin, or fur. The major difference between Stoles and Shawls lies in the size, and the material. Stoles are usually rectangular, offering more width and length than a Scarf, while Shawls are more square in shape, offering extra width for a fuller, more extravagant envelope of the silhouette.

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Silk 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.

The date was 1954.  Valentino Garavani, then a young Italian who apprenticed for Jean Desses, designed a slim, elegant ensemble with a leopard-skin belt and Stole.  A moment that marked the beginning of his signature elaborate aesthetic that would catapult him to be known only by his first name - Valentino. 

After five years with Desses, and a brief time with Guy Laroche, in which his couture sketches became the foundation of his eponymous look, Valentino returned to Rome, Italy to set up his own label, bringing with him the grandeur that established for him the reputation of what Italians call “Dolce Vita” – Sweet Life.

When Valentino showed his first collection at the Pitti Palace in Florence for the first time in 1962, the acclaim instantly annointed him the go-to Couturier for the glitterati.  In 1967, he was awarded the prestigious Neiman Marcus Award for his infamous “No-color Collection” in which he rebuked the trend for decadent color palettes, opting instead for hues of beige, white and ivory.  This collection launched his signature “V” trademark.  In the same year, he designed the dress that Jackie Kennedy wore to marry Aristotle Onassis - both events that crystalized the fame that turned his business into an international fashion powerhouse, dressing Hollywood superstars from Gwyneth Paltrow to Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Taylor to Anne Hathaway.

When interviewed by the Telegraph, Valentino said this about his early inspirations:  "I was always inspired by seeing glamorous American movie stars in clothes by the costume designer Edith Head…and when I was working with Jean Desses and Guy Laroche in Paris I was influenced by French couture and the luxurious lives of French women."

"A dress that reveals a woman's ankles while she is walking is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen," Valentino once told The Daily Mail.   In an interview in November of 2012 with Vogue UK, Valentino noted that times have changed since he first started his career.  "Few people love and make beautiful clothes, clothes that are soft, smooth and elegant," he said. "And very few designers today design - it's very important to be able to do your own sketch on paper and then explain [your vision] to the fabric cutters. Instead, lots of designers drape - it's the new way."

UK blogger David Downton described Valentino:  "My first couture experience was drawing Valentino fittings at The Ritz in Paris - it was like entering Narnia. He is the last of the old-school couturiers. Lightness of touch, rigorous discipline and an unfailing glamour aesthetic are his hallmarks.” And, on the subject of Valentino’s use of his signature color - red: "There is cardinal red and rose red. Come-to-bed red and go-to-hell red. But when it comes to a red dress, there is really only Valentino. As someone once said, Valentino invented red."

Despite having retired from designing for the Valentino label, Valentino still works on special commissions, recently designing the bridal gown worn by Princess Madeleine of Sweden for her royal nuptials in June 2013, a fact that has kept him in the hearts and minds of devotees of Bridal fashion.  Valentino has embraced Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, the current co-designers of his famed label for the past five years, on their runway shows. The pair continue to successfully steer the Valentino ship season after season, carrying-on the magnificent, spirit-lifting collections which have come to symbolize couture in its truest sense while walking the line between feminine, light and intricate designs that remain modern and compelling for today’s women.

Each and every dress on the runway offers different fabrics and techniques, yet the concept of gowns constructed through piping details and lace, with silhouettes that we have come to know and love from Valentino – "demure, nipped-in waists and splaying skirts, necklines either cut straight across or high in Tudor proportion, Stoles, Capes and Shawls fluttering across dresses of distinct shape….with bold lines of red and black and cream that bring the body’s figure to life – remain.  Gowns in white look like they had been adorned in wedding icing - both elegant and pristine. Gowns breath-takingly made up of 450 metres of tulle, with swaying skirts that fold back on one another to create undulating fairy-tale hems.  Lines that are neither strict nor severe, always lending the sense of romantic femininity that is neither too sweet nor too austere"…remaining quintessential Valentino.

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.