Opera Glove Etiquette

James Hormel & Sako Fisher at the San Francisco Symphony, September 2007

Gloves with gowns can be the height of chic and sophistication. When pulling out the gloves, remember they are worn during the cocktail hour, removed entirely while dining, then worn again for the remainder of the evening.

Nicola Miner at the De Young museum, March 2009

Eating, Drinking & Dancing

Gloves should be kept on when shaking hands (e.g., in a reception line) or when dancing, though never when dining

Take off your gloves when you sit down to dinner, and put them back on when dinner is over

Gloves may 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 them, or partially remove them, when possible.

Sako Fisher at the San Francisco Symphony, September 2008

Removing:

When you remove your opera gloves, do not take them off in a way that calls undue or seductive attention to the process (unless, of course, you are attempting to seduce the viewer!). Loosen the hand from the wrist, and gradually and smoothly work the glove down the arm, rather than pulling from the top.

You can partially remove your opera gloves by unbuttoning the mousquetaire, or wrist opening, and pulling your hand out through the opening. Tuck the empty hand portion under your wrist or under your bracelet, if you are wearing one. It is permissible to wear rings or bracelets over gloves nowadays.

A Traveler's Passport to Etiquette by Lisa Mirza Grotts

Choosing:

Length basics: the shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove. Opera gloves (long) are, therefore, properly worn with sleeveless or short-sleeved dresses or strapless, sleeveless (with straps) or short-sleeved evening gowns.

Six-button (14" or thereabouts) gloves, also known as three-quarter length or coat-length gloves, may properly be worn with just about any length of sleeve. With longer sleeves, the arm pieces are generally tucked under the sleeves.

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

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