The Fashionista’s current accessory of choice has become a must-have for fashion lovers everywhere.  Now brides are reclaiming it, reinventing it, and declaring it as the Essential Bridal Accessory that it is for a Spring Garden Wedding – The Silk Stole Wrap!

What could be better than having one, single Wrap Accessory to make your dream Spring Garden Wedding both functional….and perfect?

Whether you are having or attending a Spring Garden, City or Country Chapel or Gala event, if you are in need of a Luxe Bauble  for yourself, or that will serve as a ‘Thank You’ or ‘Adore You’ Gift for your bride or bridesmaids, look no further than the luxury-approved curation White Stole has spent hours putting together.    

The unexpected set of Italian hand silk-screened, inspired colors and designs in White Stole's Silk "Gift" Stole and Shawl Wrap Accessories Collection will rock any bride and her guests past the ceremony and on into her lifetime.  We have picked the perfect designs that will be cherished - and used - forever!

White Stole’s influential Italian Luxury Couture Silk Wrap design and production of printed, solid and yarn-dyed luxury Women's Wraps in silk or cashmere use the traditional, heritage-based hand-dyed and silk-screened custom-manufacturing process that has long been used by our manufacturing companies in Como, Italy since 1945. The meticulous workmanship or our Silk Stoles are guaranteed to last a lifetime with proper care. 

But perhaps the most exciting part of the story is that from March 1st until May 1st, you can BUY 6 and White Stole WRAPS THE BRIDE FREE!   What else do you need!?

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.

Remember your SUMMER OF LOVE in the flowing, fearless drape of a colorful Floral Silk Stole Wrap on your Wedding Day….without guilt!
 
In today’s era, Bridesmaids' gowns are invariably shorter and chosen in go-with-everything shades of lilac, mint green, beige or black so your Bridal Party can use them as Street-Wear after the wedding.
 
But rather than invite your Arm Candy to the party to function as a “backdrop,” White Stole ravishly suggests that you elevate your closest girlfriends to the level of wearable Floral Arrangements to flaunt your assets!
 
Whether your bridal beauties wear the floral 'Fabiola' or the 'Flores' Couture Silk Satin Stole Wrap to your Garden, Veranda or Country Wedding, or they each wear a different color of Couture Embroidered Lace Silk Stole Wrap like those in White Stole's “Sophisticated Evening Lace” Collection, the notion that the colors of your Wedding Theme are reflected in the color of the Stole Wraps that embrace you will carry your Wedding Day into the aura of Good Omen with surreal flourish!
 
And whether you and your ladies prefer red, French rose or sky blue silk, White Stole has the Stole, Shawl or Foulard Wrap whose colors can be used to create a dainty bouquet for your Bridal Beauties…a massive Bridal Bouquet for yourself… and serve as the color palate for your entire Wedding Ceremony and Reception. 

Reclaim your First Embrace!  Whether your Bridal Attendants are wearing a strapless, mini, or a flowing maxi dress, let your Ladies’ true beauty shine for you at your event as they cover bare shoulders at the chapel, or reveal them throughout the day - while together you and your entourage bring excitement to your Wedding Day!
 
The secret to a perfect Summer Wedding is always a little OOMPH, splash, sparkle and glamour in your overall Wedding Theme and Bridal Attire. The main attraction, the Bride, dressed in colors symbolic of her most perfect beauty, and her Ladies-In-Waiting are surrounding her in a way symbolic of romantic love.   
 
By embracing you and yours with Couture Floral Silk Stoles, White Stole ​wishes you the Summer Wedding Day of Stole Love!
 
Shop the full Wedding Stole, Shawl and Foulard Wrap lineup now and keep your eyes peeled for more wedding coverage from us throughout the Summer Wedding Season!
 
View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Shawl and Foulard Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Cape Boleros and Veiled Bridal Hair Accessories for purchase, or rental, on our website.

​It’s true that Floral-Printed anything is as ubiquitous to the season as the blooming buds, and rank high among the other motif you could be wearing during the warm-weather months ahead. As June marks the start of Summer Wedding Season, we honor the sunny days ahead with fun, patterned pieces sure to inject a bit of brightly hued cheer into your Wedding Wear wardrobe!
 
Chances are your calendar is already full of wedding dates as we wrap our way into summer, and you are looking forward to a wide variety of ceremonies from vineyard to yacht to ranch, but by-far, one of the most romantic and memorable wedding backdrops is the age-old idea of a Spring Garden or Summer Veranda Wedding. 
 
And to toast to this occasion, White Stole humbly suggests a POP of pink and persimmon floral to a Bridal Wedding Party set to the scent of anything from the Queen’s Rose Garden to Grandma’s gladiolas and peony patch!
 
Bring a “cultivated” look and a treasure trove of floral to your Garden Wedding in White Stole's  "Fabiola" Couture Bridal Stole Wrap  Accessory in pure Silk Satin Chiffon from the Signature Leonard Paris Collection. You will treasure this divine pure silk Momento of your wedding day forever.
 
“Fabiola” is in full bloom putting pretty glamour into any summer wedding with its luxurious pastel floral iconic "Orchid" design in lush shades of rose pink, purple, pale gray and persimmon on blushed white that will wrap sweeping highlights around shoulders, arms or neck of your Garden Veranda Wedding Party! 
 
Shop the full Wedding Stole and Wrap lineup now and keep your eyes peeled for more wedding coverage from us throughout Summer Wedding Season.
 
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.

‘To express oneself and how one wishes to be to the world isn’t much different than how an artist views a figure or landscape’ a biographer of Helena Rubinstein once said.

White Stole is a big supporter of the view that how a woman chooses to craft her look and construct her identity is chiefly accomplished with the fashion and accessories she adopts. 

And more importantly, that on the most important day of her life, challenging some norms – such as those surrounding weddings – simply are in order!  Our Brides know that her own beauty is in her eyes as she beholds herself at it’s deepest essence.  And expressing that self means not stepping into someone else’s fairybook Princess Wedding Story….but into her own! 

May we humbly suggest that one of the most perfect ways to cultivate your inner feminine-self is with the soft, flowing look of pure Silk Chiffon in Couture Silk Floral Stole Wraps!

White Stole’s "Charming Rose" Bridal Wrap in Pink or Lilac from the Signature Valentino Collection offers you a sheer cascading rose design that not only wraps your future in a floral embrace, but gives a perfectly flowing Heirloom Gift for the Bride and Bridesmaids who know how to put the fun into elegance for a lifetime in any season  from Spring to Summer!
 
Delicately highlight your bridal party's silhouette with a rainbow of pastel shades from lavender and lilac, or pale pink to coral in any Spring or Summer, Garden Wedding setting or season while giving yourself a pure Silk Momento of your Wedding Day that you will cherish forever.

The women White Stole loves to love have a deep desire to have, hold and “wear her accessories for life"….then see them end-up in the hands of her daughter, her favorite nieces or cousins, or even a fashionable second-hand store where Style-Savvy young girls or Budget-Minded women will discover them 20 years later.  

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.

Here, on the first day of Spring as we head into Summer, whether you decide to wear an authentic vintage or vintage-inspired dress or gown, White Stole will help you put together the correct period look for any vintage-themed garden event you may be starring in, or attending.  

As admirers of any girl sporting an expertly styled wardrobe, we can’t help but celebrate the arrival of spring with a few liner notes on the gals who embodied the 30’s style, and made it the look we still crush on to this day!

Here are the key fashion elements from White Stole’s Old Hollywood themed Garden Veranda Wedding guide to look for when recreating a classic 1930’s style for your Wedding Day:

Though only the more affluent could afford silk at that time, the 30’s look was fluid, flowing and ladylike in sheer silks, rayon or lightweight cottons in small to medium florals, or deco-inspired geometric prints.  The bias cut with draping ruffles defined the figure-flattering silhouettes of the 30’s.  Whereas the straight, angular silhouettes of the 1920’s played down the curves of a woman’s figure, the clothing styles of the 30’s instead celebrated the female form. Dresses were feminine and romantic with a return to the natural waistline.  Hemlines remained at ankle or shin length and even rose a bit higher toward the end of the decade. Belts were worn at the natural waistline.  Skirts with V-shaped yokes below the waist followed the line of the hips then flared out from the knee, ending in ruffles, tiers, folds or layers, while peplums were more popular toward the end of the decade. 

Iconic evening looks included backless gowns in velvet or body-clinging sensuous satin as can be seen in the photos of Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and Ginger Rogers.  This decade is often remembered as the “Big Band Era” and the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” and the glamorous fashions worn by entertainers and silver screen stars heavily influenced the styles of the time.

In all silhouettes, the emphasis was on the neckline to bring emphasis to the vision of a woman’s face, making accessories an essential element to her look.  The fitted bodices were capped with elaborate collars that appeared Stole and Capelike, or incorporated folds, ruffles or draping flutter-sleeves.  Fur, fabric flowers or bows often decorated collars, the center bust area of the bodice or the waist, as well as hats.  Hats were worn at an angle, with wide brims, cloches, turbans, and berets being most popular while strappy sandals for evening, often in metallic shades or mesh, were considered high-fashion.

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.

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.

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 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.

The concept of glamour is personal, yet a person with glamour can make fashion glamorous.   While opinions of elegant women are legendary, one thing is clear:  Women of Style and Glamour simply want more exciting things in their lives to help them refine and define their personal taste…that will not fall apart after a few washings! 

That said, the women White Stole loves to love have a deep desire to have, hold and wear her Accessories "for life"….then see them end-up in the hands of her daughter, her favorite nieces or cousins, or even a fashionable second-hand store where Style-Savvy young girls or Budget-Minded women will discover them 20 years later. 

It is true that at most high-end shops, evening wear and luxury couture come with rather hefty price tags.  Nevertheless, though the entire ensemble may be outside of your budget, Accessory Pieces are typically inside that arch.  To the Style-Conscious, the best Accessories have somewhat of a primordial quality – lending a sense that you have captured a bit of the life you have secretly desired from the beginning of your time.  With just a wisp or sheerest layer of silk or fur, you can convey the sense of delicacy or power you feel.  White Stole was born to help our wearer feel like the exquisite creature she is with Couture Luxury Accessories that will last a lifetime! 

A floral Shawl Wrap is guaranteed to bring flowing style with pretty pastels to the woman who goes for the glow on her special day!  Pictured here, the “Frascati” Silk Satin Shawl Wrap by Leonard, Paris flows with you from your Outdoor, Terrace or Garden Veranda Wedding setting into a Keepsake that will mark your special day for a lifetime with its floral design in cream, peach and violet. 

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.

With pearlescent faces, bright bands of color, and precious floral designs created in the time-honored couture tradition, these radiant "Fabiola" or "Flores" Silk Bridal Wrap keepsakes create the ultimate fairy-tale picture.  It is understood that the details make the difference in elegance itself, and these almost surreal flourishes put you in the mood for romanticism, humor, chic fun, elegance…and a little Elsa Schiaparelli for good measure.  By the handful, these pieces are undeniably made for each other!

Unconventional at its best, opting for color is a chic and sophisticated way to 'Break Bridal,' and nothing does it better than adding a colorful, floral Stole Wrap to your ensemble to highlight your Spring or Summer Wedding, whether in the Garden or on the Veranda!.  For a bride-to-be (or just a gal looking for a pretty new layering piece), couture Silk Bridal Wraps put a glam and edgy spin on tradition.

With so many gorgeous Stole color and size options to choose from in the White Stole collection, there's guaranteed to be a style that you will adore from this day forward….and cherish as a momento of your wedding day while wearing it throughout the years ahead.

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.

Equal parts dainty and whimsical, these luxury couture Silk Bridal Wrap Accessory alternatives are equally as appealing if you're simply in the market for a luxe bauble to invest in, or looking to show your true spring or summer colors at your Country or Garden "Whimsical" Theme Wedding. 

Without a doubt, anyone can guess that the slightest hint of cloud in a pure blue sky calls for something exquisite to chase away the chill, but even if none should appear, what can add more to the fantasy of a sun-filled wedding day than a Couture Silk Bridal Wrap that brings out the pretty-little-bling in any gown? 

Consider this “tradition with a twist!”  Sure, you might label this stunning style as a dream buy, but it needn’t be when White Stole will include your own Silk Bridal Wrap at a special price that allows you to “gift” your bridal party with a momento of your day together.  

Possibly the best part or having each of your bridesmaids adorned with a glamorous Couture Silk Bridal Wrap is that you will have something to hold onto and wear again, and again over the years ahead together! 

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.

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.

From the 1960's and beyond, among the “Fun and Flirty” looks that new Bridal Fashion has adopted is the Statement Dress, Tee Shirt Gown, Top Hat and Tails, the Caftan, Native American and the Palazzo pant.  With all, the preference for wearing Silk has remained the fabric that most completely brings out the Romantic Heart of a woman. 

An ethereal vision…the Silk Chiffon Shawl blowing in the wind strikes a magical pose with its muted tones of dark and sky blue, chartreuse green and purple accented with gold.  For the daring bride, a printed shawl can be something new, inventive, bold or simply a soft and whispered statement of beauty.  Set against endless blue, the blues and greens of White Stole's "Gisele" Shawl almost trumps the sky itself.

Whether wearing strands of diamonds and pearls, vivid tangerine or chartreuse silk chiffon, silk emerald green jersey trimmed in beads, pink flamingo, deep ruby red, pure black, or plaid, the Modern Bride intuitively understands the mantra of Oleg Cassini ~ “Do something you will be really proud of ~ make a unique statement!”

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.

Universally, “knots” in the origin of the wedding ceremony with its centuries of tradition, have had a place in the folklore of many cultures as a symbol of unbreakable pledges.  

Historically, the knot as the symbol of a lasting unity dated back to the Legend of St. Katherine, circa 1225, where the Middle English word “enotte”, or ‘knot,’ was used to mean "the tie or bond of wedlock." From that point ‘To tie the knot’ as an expression came to mean getting married.  

The costume of the bride is the pivotal image that sets the theme for the event itself.   The design of the gowns and their "Stole Wrap" accessories, floral arrangements, and decorations symbolize the tying of the knot custom, representing the bonds of marriage.

Historically, the bride would arrive at the altar with an untied shoe, and the groom would tie the lace.  Knots were tied in the bridal bouquet with a fabric or silken cord or within silk garments as part of the ceremony.  In Italy, a knotted ribbon is tied over the entrance to the reception, within bouquets and Bridal Wraps, and in the frosted pastries tied in knots which are served to symbolize the Love Knot.

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

Timeless Wedding Gown images have led the Modern Bride to step out further to choose from an opulent array of emotions, themes and elements as diverse as the Hi-Lo silhouette, the Short and Flirty knee length or Above-The-Knee Cocktail Dress, the Little White Dress, the Tee Shirt gown, Suit, Top Hat and Tails or the Caftan for her Spring or Summer Wedding Day. 

The Statement Dress and its Bridal Accessory has arrived on the scene in vivid colors from emerald green to fuchsia, chartreuse or pale ivory, embroidered with floral bouquet or with sequins.  Our modern weddings see brides wearing deep red, black, black and white, plaid, sky blue and bright pink. 

Whatever the color her love is displayed in, the opulent luxury of a silk or natural stole, cape or shawl enveloping her arms and shoulders is one of the bridal accessories that have timelessly stood as the icing on the wedding cake.  

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.

Any study of fashion can not be separated from women’s fashion history and an understanding of the beginnings of Haute Couture literally meaning “high-quality sewing.”  Paris had been the center of couture since the 19th Century when couture was transformed from a craft into business, and high art. 

Women’s fashion had been put on ice during WWII from 1939 to 1944.  During the occupation of Paris in 1940, many fashion houses were forced into war-related industries.  The progress of the war made it necessary to prohibit all superfluous material and labor.  America followed Britain in clothes rationing with L85 restrictions, promoting the approved ” Victory Suit” with its narrow styling as being more practical and patriotic. 

The Allied Nations were at a loss when Paris fell because they had looked to Paris as the World Capital of Fashion since the 17th Century.  Despite materials rationing on both sides of the Atlantic, some 20 Parisian couture fashion houses violated the wartime silhouette during this time and continued to produce approximately 100 models per year – primarily for wealthy collaborators or for export to Germany.  From Designers to Apprentices, the French declared they had fought to keep Parisian Couture alive because it represented a Parisian industry of prime importance, a means of employment…but most importantly, because it preserved Haute Couture in the eyes of the world.

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.