Ladies, remember when your grandmother use to put on her mink stole to wear to church. I clearly remember watching my grandmother – the southern belle that she was – getting dolled up and then wrapping on her mink stole as she headed out the door. These past elegant statements of apparel may seem to have taken a back burner in the fashion industry, but contrary to the belief, they’re still sought after, especially by vintage clothes shoppers. Ladies started wearing stoles because they wanted to maintain their luxurious elegant look in the summer without parting with their mink. Stylish ladies wore the beautiful wraps around their shoulders (along with the evening gloves) as they step out for a night on the town. The mink stole was part of their elegant ensemble.
Images such as these are not only nostalgic but they’re actually inspiring. At a time when black America was facing financial hardships, the women always found a way to hold on to their elegance, charm and grace.
As black women, when society tried to make us feel shameful, there was always a reason to hold our heads up high and wearing a mink reinforced that status quo for us to feel good about ourselves.
Whether attending a ball game or rushing from an airplane we had had our mink stoles wrapped around us to keep us fashionably elegant because fur epitomized a sense of glamour at the height of fashion.
There’s something cozy about feeling the gentle softness of this fun fur wrapped around our necks, and yet, give that sense of sex appeal when it’s draping off the shoulders.
We love the richness and warmth fur provides. As Fall approaches, think about venturing into a thrift store and find the perfect stole to drape around your shoulders. If no success there, always check for estate sales because many of them are found in the homes of elderly women. They were highly purchased between the years 1920’s-1970’s If you prefer to shop on line, Ebay and Etsy are other great sources.
Whether attending a ball game or rushing from an airplane we had had our mink stoles wrapped around us to keep us fashionably elegant because fur epitomized a sense of glamour at the height of fashion.
Comments
I remember my aunt wearing her mink for a night out or to church. I always thought it was so elegeant. I remember her buying me a rabbit jacket for Easter one year. Brings hack memories. I’ll have to look at estate sales and pick up one.
Check eBay. I purchased mine for around $60.
I just purchased a stole on eBay for $35! I can’t wait for spring so that I can wear it! I have some fur jackets that will hold me until then. 🙂
That’s wonderful to hear.. I hope you show us your style when you wear it!