Gloves are great for all kind of protection
Nurses and doctors wear them all the time for protection of themselves as well as the patients. Bikers and skate boarders wear gloves to protect their hands’ skin in case they fall. In winter, we wear gloves for protection from the cold weather. However, gloves have so much more to offer than just protection of various kind.
Gloves are a chic accessory that is often overlooked
When talking about accessories people think first of accessorizing with scarves or accesorizing with belts, and hats. Those living in a region with cold winters think of gloves as a great accessory to keep your hands and fingers warm in winter. Who wants to ruin the pockets of their coat wardrobe by putting their hands in? Not to mention that doing so is very unpractical!
Gloves finish the styling of any winter outwear. #agelessstyle Click To Tweet
However, gloves can be used for so much more than to style outerwear in winter. A couple of summers ago, I was so into a pair of driving gages while driving. I enjoyed the stares when leaving the car and taking them off.
Gloves can be a signature style element. Why not making it yours? Think of the late Karl Lagerfeld, Queen Elizabeth II or even Meghan Makle who always carries them instead of wearing them (no matter how cold it is). I have to admit that I do this sometimes too (see photo below).
An ageless classic to up your style
Remember the eternal classic look of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Long black gloves with a little black sleeveless dress are ageless style. Remember First Lady Jackie Kennedy with her sleeveless sheath dresses, pillbox hat and over-the-wrist length white gloves at various state receptions? Classic chic and elegance! These style icons reveal the recipe for having ageless style with gloves beyond winter. The recipe to make an entrance
Wear gloves with a tailored simple cut, solid color dress without sleeves. #agelessstyle Click To Tweet
Go beyond tan and black
Go for gloves with colors, but there is no need to match their color exactly with those of your hat or scarf. It is so much more modern to have a similar shade, tint or hue and not having an all hat-scarf-gloves set. The matchy-match is so yesteryear.
Example of matching the gloves to the visible indoor outfit: Striped coat with, Lew Magram pants, Manolo Blahnik booties, YSL bag, GNW tights, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves and hat (all own)
Example of picking up a color of other accessories: Red LeatherCoatsEtc pea coat with LV silk scarf, YSL bag, Nine West loafers, LeathercoatsEtc gloves, Ray Ban Jackie O. sunglasses and brown pill box style hat (all own)
Example wearing gauntlets as a style statement: Oliveo leather skirt with leather jacket, hat, gloves, Modalo Pippa bag, bow tied scarf and ankle strap Covington pumps (all own)
Example wearing different shades of a color: Pea coat worn open as cape over closed red blazer with Halogen leather skirt, scarf, GNW tight, Manolo Blahnik booties, hunter green leather gloves, teal green beret, and green SAK bag (all own)Shiny satin gloves in silver, gold, white or black are great for evening parties. Make sure the gloves don’t clash with the color of your dress and do not match the color of your shoes except they are black. White shiny satin gloves are also great for brides with sleeveless gowns. Wrist length looks also a great do for the Mother-of-the-bride or groom shopping in the South of the US.
Gages are fun to wear for historic parades and Halloween
In former times, gloves were widely used in every day life, i.e. not only for staying warm in winter or special occasions. Thus,they are rocket fashion at historic parades. Heritage or founder festivals are also great opportunities to don gloves, especially lace gloves. Dressing for Halloween are another great occassion. If you love gloves, take the opportunity to add them in your costume.
What not to wear
Except you are watching some outdoor winter sport event like the Iron Dog or you are mushing your dogs, snow-machine or have to wait for the bus at 40 below, steer away from mittens. Street style for the Iditarod or Yukon Quest when sheering your favorite musher of course ask for mittens. Ok, add idling your car in the parking lot at 40 below in the dark of winter to the allowable list. 😉 Otherwise mittens are only cute on kids.
Be aware of the gloves etiquette
Take your gloves off when eating, dancing and drinking. Place your gloves under your napkin in your lap when eating. Except for may be bracelets, wear your hand jewelry under the gloves during parties, receptions and balls.
Take off your day gloves when you come indoors. While you can keep your evening gloves on when shaking hands except you meet Mr. President, the Queen or alike, take day gloves off when shaking hands with whomever.
Do you wear gloves for style or just staying warm or both? What kind of gloves do you wear? Have you tried other colors than tan and black? If so which ones?
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Photos of me: G. Kramm
Photos of gage collection: N. Mölders
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