Mood Board #91: Blue Toile

Today’s board was inspired by Claire Pettibone’s refined yet relaxed “Toile Francais” gown, which features French blue and ivory cotton toile, lace insets, delicate long sleeves, and an oval lace inset back. If you’re not familiar with toile, it’s a classic French fabric—the word itself is French for cloth or canvas—that traditionally depicts idyllic pastoral scenes of everyday people at work or play. It was first produced using wood blocks in the late eighteenth century at a small textile factory in Jouy-en-Josas, near Versailles. It’s seen countless revivals and transformations over the years, but we’re still partial to the romance of the classic designs, which are the perfect choice for a vintage wedding inspired by the French countryside. Because toile is such a busy print, however, it’s typically best used sparingly and paired with simple, elegant neutrals that don’t compete or clash with the detailed patterns. Blue toile looks especially beautiful in combination with antique whites and pops of copper or honey gold.