Gloves are a beautiful tradition and there is no reason why you should not consider them in this day and age.

     Unfortunately, classic opera gloves have nearly disappeared from the modern retailers inventory, making only a scarce appearance during high school proms in shiny stretch lycra.

Without the button opening on the inside wrist known as the mousquetaire, these gloves are ungraceful to remove during a wedding ceremony, as the lack of wrist opening necessitates taking them off at the altar to accept your wedding ring.

     Don't make your guests suffer as you do a mock strip tease in front of the pastor.  Wear the real thing... kid leather or vintage knit.

     Your best bet is to scout the vintage clothing stores for the true opera glove with mousquetaire that can allow your hand to come out through the wrist opening, while still wearing the long glove over your forearm.  Easily unbuttoned at the altar, the mousquetaire opening allows you to keep the glove on your forearm while you remove your hand to accept your wedding ring.  The glove can then be rolled up neatly and tucked into the wrist like a hanky.  Don't worry, this is perfectly acceptable.

Check out the photo of Natalie Wood below, if you are uncertain of the practice.

Other options, such as Fingerless gloves, also called "sleeves or gauntlets"  are a 1950's style that still looks great when done in the same fabric as the gown.  Usually elbow length, with a vee point over the hand, the gauntlet may be secured with an elastic loop that fits around the middle finger or extends around the thumb. This style easily accommodates a wedding ceremony without removing your accessories.

Your gloves should be kept on when shaking hands in a reception line or when dancing.

Gloves may also be worn while drinking, though care must be exercised not to spill liquids on them, especially when the gloves are made of kidskin or some other delicate leather. It is better to remove, or partially remove them when practicable.

When you sit down to dinner, you should take off your gloves, and put them back on when dinner is over.

If you remove your opera gloves, you should not take them off in a way that calls undue or seductive attention to the process.

You can partially remove your opera gloves in this fashion: unbutton the mousquetaire wrist opening and pull your hand out through the opening. The empty glove hand can then be rolled up neatly to wrist level, either tucked under the wrist or under your bracelet, if you are wearing one.

The basic rule as to length of gloves may be defined as follows: 

The shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove.  Opera length gloves are therefore, properly worn with strapless, sleeveless, sleeveless with spaghetti straps or short-sleeved gowns.

Six-button (approximately 14") gloves, also known as three-quarter length or coat-length gloves, may be worn with just about any length of sleeve.

At Left: With longer sleeves, such as the three-quarter sleeves made popular in the 1960's by fashion designer Oleg Cassini (an example of the style is shown at left,) gloves are correctly worn when the arm piece of the glove is tucked in under the sleeves.

Gauntlet-type gloves (gloves with flared arm pieces) are also appropriate for wear with most sleeve lengths. The arm pieces of gauntlets are customarily worn over the sleeve of your blouse or coat. 

White and its various shades, including ivory, beige and taupe, are the traditional colors for opera gloves and are appropriate for any occasion on which opera gloves are worn.

Formally, black opera gloves should not be worn with white or light-colored dresses or gowns, but can be worn with black, dark-colored or bright-colored clothing.

Opera gloves of other colors generally should be worn only in coordination with the color scheme of the dress or gown you are wearing.

Remember,
nothing is sexier than a woman in opera gloves and a fitted gown.  Remain Composed and let the gloves do their work!

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