This is the story of a feminine accessory that fell out of fashion in the late 1960s… And which is now making a comeback, reflecting the strong desire of younger generations to challenge social norms and embrace the symbols of an era they have never known. Once reserved for weddings, formal occasions, and high society, opera gloves are now a fashion essential that are making their way far beyond the red carpet.
Anyone who has ever stepped inside a Parisian opera house knows that, apart from the performers on stage, no woman is likely to be seen wearing gloves that cover almost the entire arm.
In the hushed world of women’s gloves, there are many different lengths. Long gloves or evening gloves can extend beyond the wrist (30-35 cm) or to the elbow (40-45 cm). But the opera glove (between 60 and 80 cm) extends above the elbow to reach the biceps.
This relic of the 1950s is enjoying a revival in the 2020s. The phenomenon is due as much to celebrities opting for long gloves on the most prestigious red carpets (from the MET Gala to the Grammys and the Golden Globes) as to recent haute couture collections and the younger generation’s appropriation of outdated dress codes. So much so that opera gloves are crossing class boundaries and becoming a more or less natural part of everyday wardrobes.
High society and respectability
Originally, the development of gloves in Europe went hand in hand with the predominance of Christian culture, which, since the Middle Ages, dictated clothing styles and required women to limit the exposure of their flesh through their attire. Arms were initially concealed by long sleeves.
Initially small and made of white kid leather, gloves were first used to make it easier to hold horse reins and to protect against the winter cold. It is therefore not surprising that one of the occasions when gloves became essential was precisely during official ceremonies and social events.
This is how the opera glove carved out a place for itself at the end of the 18th century, particularly at balls.
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