Stone Island
Stone Island is an Italian clothing brand founded in 1982 and known for its research into fabrics and dyeing methods. The recognisable compass emblem on the left sleeve makes a Stone Island hoodie or jacket instantly identifiable. The brand is popular in streetwear and has long ties with British football culture.
The history of Stone Island
Designer Massimo Osti, who had previously founded C.P. Company, started Stone Island in 1982 in Ravarino, in northern Italy. The first collection centred on Tela Stella, a sturdy canvas originally used for truck tarpaulins, which Osti had heavily washed. That gave the fabric a worn-in look and a character of its own.
Shortly after the start, the Rivetti family bought into the company, and in the early 1990s it took full control. Carlo Rivetti then led Stone Island for decades and held on to the idea that every collection starts with the material. In 2020 the brand was acquired by Moncler.
What is Stone Island known for?
Its best-known feature is the badge: a compass rose on a fabric emblem, attached to the left sleeve with two buttons. Because the badge is removable, you can take it off without damaging the garment. On the Ghost pieces the badge comes in the same colour as the garment, for an understated, monochrome look.
Stone Island is also known for garment dyeing: pieces are only dyed after they have been sewn, so fabric, thread and details take on the colour together. This produces deep, slightly uneven shades that can vary from piece to piece. The brand also experiments with technical fabrics, such as reflective material and jackets that change colour with temperature.
In the 1980s Stone Island was picked up by British football fans known as casuals. They paired Italian clothing with sneakers such as the adidas Samba and the adidas Handball Spezial. You still see that combination in terrace outfits today.
Popular Stone Island items
Stone Island mainly makes clothing, and its range on WOOVIN consists of the brand’s apparel. These are the categories most in demand right now:
- Felpa hoodies and crewnecks: cotton fleece sweatshirts in garment-dyed colours, with the badge on the sleeve.
- T-shirts and polos: from simple shirts with the Compass logo on the chest to Ghost versions with a tonal badge.
- Trousers: cargo pants, fleece sweatpants and shorts, often in calm colours such as black, navy and sand.
- Jackets and overshirts: from light overshirts to padded down jackets.
Anyone combining Stone Island with a minimalist streetwear look often also considers labels such as Fear of God Essentials and Rhude.
How does Stone Island fit?
The fit varies per piece. Stone Island makes items in a regular fit, a slim fit and an oversized fit, and this is often stated in the product name. So compare the measurements with a piece you already own that fits well.
Buy Stone Island at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find Stone Island hoodies, sweatshirts, T-shirts, trousers and jackets in various colours. If you are unsure about the colour, bear in mind that garment-dyed pieces can differ slightly between production runs. Choose a Ghost item and you get the badge in the same shade as the fabric, for those who want a less prominent emblem.
