The Fenton History Center has many fine examples of ladies’ gloves in the textile collection. We have elegant, long evening gloves that would have extended above a lady’s elbow, as well as many pairs of shorter, wrist length gloves in all types of materials from leather to silk.
In looking at the history of glove etiquette, honeyfact.com states that “gloves distinguished ladies from working women by preserving soft, feminine hands that suggested idleness. Lengthy gloves signaled social class, visually reinforcing hierarchy. Gloves served as supplements to clothing, demonstrating a woman’s expected invisibility within domestic settings. Victorian etiquette books held up glove-wearing as mandatory for defining respectable womanhood … not wearing gloves implied lacking manners and social grace.”
The following is from a sales advertisement from the Paris Glove Company in Montreal, Canada instructing ladies on the proper use of gloves. “To be sure your gloves are fashion-right in color and style, wear Paris gloves … the gloves of good taste.”
WHEN A LADY WEARS GLOVES
Gloves should be worn on the streets of cities and large towns, when going to church, to a luncheon, dinner or reception; to a dance, a wedding or an official function. They are also worn in a restaurant and in the theater. Smart women usually wear gloves while traveling on a plane or train … or in any public conveyance. On formal occasions, gloves are worn by the guests and by the hostess while she is receiving.
WHEN A LADY REMOVES HER GLOVES
Gloves must always be removed before eating, drinking, smoking, playing cards or putting on make-up. When lunching in a restaurant, a lady removes her coat, but keeps on her hat and gloves, removing her gloves when seated at the table.
WHAT TO DO WHEN SHAKING HANDS
A lady never takes off her gloves to shake hands.
COLOR, STYLE, AND LENGTH
The most important point in choosing gloves is to make sure they fit and are comfortable. Gloves that are too tight tend to make hands look like sausages. White or beige gloves are equally appropriate for any costume with which these colors will harmonize. Black gloves are always smart. Formal occasions do not demand, but somehow suggest, white gloves. Colored gloves are becoming increasingly popular and are now worn , quite correctly, to weddings. It is considered very smart to wear matching gloves and millinery. Bracelets may be worn over long gloves, but never rings.
