Whether used as an elegant accessory for a formal occasion or a stylish necessity for winter warmth, long leather gloves offer timeless appeal.
Leather Gloves for Formal Occasions
Dress gloves were popularized in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. While later periods saw less glove-wearing with the rise of long sleeves dresses, long gloves still remained. One aspect of 1950s fashion is the glove; in fact this era is sometimes referred to as the last golden age of the glove, when celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Gina Lollobrigida were known for wearing long gloves. Today this look has returned, and woman can again celebrate this elegant, sexy, and polished accessory in style.
Women's leather dress gloves can be an elegant accessory for highly formal occasions. These are often very long, above the elbow (sometimes referred to as opera length) and typically worn with formal dresses. Audrey Hepburn popularized the three quarter length glove that falls just below the elbow, which is also a popular formal glove length. These are a lovely accompaniment to strapless, off the shoulder, and other sleeveless evening gown styles.
When to Wear
Any occasion whose dress requirements are 'white tie' are appropriate for wearing long dress gloves. Formal weddings, opera and other formal musical events, formal theatrical productions, dinners, parties, dances, charity events, and other social and business events are all places leather dress gloves might be worn with women's evening wear.
Types of Formal Leather Gloves
High quality leather, such as Nappa leather is a woman's best bet when purchasing formal leather gloves. These will not only be more comfortable, but look and wear more beautifully as well. Gloves are available unlined, or may be lined in cashmere or silk, in button or slip on styles. Styles include:
- Straight, unhemmed fitted gloves
- Finished edge gloves
- Ruched gloves
- Lace-up styles
- Slightly flared or flared arm styles
Black and white are still classic colors, but today leather formal gloves are available in two-toned and metallic leather colors as well as in a range of hues including red, brown, blue, green, grey, gold, violet, burgundy
Where to Buy
- Ines Gloves: These European luxury gloves come nearly up to the elbow and are available in a rainbow of colors.
- Carolina Amato: Elbow and opera length gloves, as seen in Bazaar and Allure
- Hand and Glove offers various styles of opera length and longer leather gloves.
- Online shopping sites such as HSN and Amazon
- High-end department stores such as Bloomingdales have select pairs available
- Ebay and vintage shops may have vintage leather gloves styles available
Long Winter Leather Gloves
You don't need to have a formal occasion to wear long winter leather gloves. Both practical and stylish, leather has long been a prime choice for women's cold weather accessories. While formal gloves often reach over the elbow, however, cold weather leather gloves aren't typically as long. Lengths range from above the wrist to mid arm to elbow length.
Types of Cold Weather Leather Gloves
Black is one of the most popular colors for cold weather styling, but other neutral colors such as brown and tan, are also widely available. A range of fashion colors, from navy to yellow and many hues in between are also sold. Gloves are often lined, and sometimes insulated for extra protection from the cold. Casual styles may have minimal details, but dressier pairs have fur or faux fur cuffs, cinching at the wrist, or other functional and style details.
Where to Purchase
You can purchase leather gloves for winter wear at virtually any department store, many leather goods retailers, and specialty shops at a range or price points. Need some inspiration? Check out these great long leather gloves for winter:
- Echo Design Touch Leather/Cashmere Glove available from Zappos
- Gloves Online: Women's fur lined glove styles
