Glove Etiquette

December 18, 2015

Last Updated on December 3, 2022 by Dominique de Merteuil

Glove etiquette.

A woman without gloves is a marked woman. It’slike going barefoot to be without them. Gloves are traditionally a sign of dignity.

Claire McCardell

I love nothing more than the feeling of soft leather or cashmere caressing my skin as I put on my first pair of gloves for the winter season. It’s a sensation that brings with it, its very own special pleasure. Mother Nature can be particularly cruel where I live at this time of year, but she at least brings with her this gift of bliss in disguise, hidden as a private moment shared between one woman and another.

She wasn’t the first to introduce me to the pleasure of gloves though. That claim belongs to Rita Hayworth or more accurately, her character Gilda, in the film of the same name, whose performance inspired me to purchase my first pair of long, satin opera gloves that I’ve cherished for over 20 years.

And even though my collection has expanded and expanded to now include vintage gloves of different colours, lengths and materials be it silk, suede, cotton or lace. I don’t think, that my thirst for shopping gloves will ever be fully satisfied! And why should it?

Gloves For All Seasons

If I was a woman, I would be dressed in the same thing for a month and just change my hat and gloves. Maybe my shoes too; yes, I see what you mean but, really, it’s jewels that change an outfit.

Manolo Blahnik

Wearing gloves doesn’t have to be just about protection from the weather and I’ve always fancied the idea of wearing gloves (particularly vintage ones) for all occasions and all year round, just like the exquisitely dressed ladies of the 19th century who had clever ulterior motive going on behind the wearing of heir gloves.

Propriety was the byword and a young lady’s reputation could have been easily ruined, so to avoid any unpleasant situations many books were published explaining the meaning of specific signals to help a lady show her true feelings and not to be caught by doing so. After all, she would be using a secret code (not so secret to those who have read the books) without having to be in direct contact with the suitor.

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The Not-So-Secret Glove Etiquette

1. Dropping one of the gloves meant- yes.
2. Dropping both gloves – I love you.
3. Using gloves as a fan – Introduce me to your company.
4. Turning them inside out – I hate you.
5. Folding a glove – get rid of your company.
6. Tossing gloves to the side – I am engaged. 
7. Pressing the end of the tip of the glove to lips – do you love me?
8. Holding them hanging loose in my right hand – I’m satisfied. 
9. Tapping the chin with gloves meant – I love another.

DISCLOSURE: As of October 2021, I’m part of an affiliate program, and I get a small commission for purchases made through the Shop My Style links in this post. That’s how I keep my website alive, for which I’m very grateful to you. All opinions expressed here are mine! 

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And while we’re still in the 1800s, here’s a rough guide to get you through formal glove etiquette

1. Gloves were always put on at home and never in public.
2. They were to be removed during supper or playing cards. Discretion was required and gloves had to be removed under the table and placed on the lap, which was covered by a serviette.
3. They were also removed during the application or touch-up of make-up.
4. But gloves were never to be removed when shaking hands on the street.

And her old Uncle William used to say a lady is known by her shoes and her gloves.

― Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway

Glove Etiquette in the 20th Century

Modern living doesn’t make eight-button, twelve-button rules-common sense and Fashion acknoledge this. Longer than short will take you through most formal ocassions. But when to take gloves off may pose a few problems. When you go to a cocktail party, even if your satin or velvt gloves are an inegral part of your costume, don’t touch the hors d’oeuvre tray until you have removed your gloves.

Claire McCardell, ‘What Shall I Wear’, 1956

Don’t be Afraid of Gloves in Different Colour

Vintage gloves are not the only type I obsessively buy, I have a fast-growing collection of modern leather gloves in many colours, lengths and patterns. In the past, I wouldn’t even consider any other colour than black but I’ve converted after trying a pair in the perfect shade of red and then the perfect shade of blue, yellow, you see where I’m going with this.

I will not rest until I have a pair of leather gloves in the perfect shade of every colour known to a woman. I present to you all my on-growing collection of one of the most important fashion accessories of all time! 

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How to Wash Vintage Gloves

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I found an ad for Ivory Snow Soap from 1934 with instructions on how to wash gloves. I always spot clean vintage leather gloves and would NEVER risk submerging them in water.

I use Eucalan which doesn’t require rinse or saddle soap for spot cleaning.

You should be VERY cautious when cleaning vintage leather.

A friend of mine, one of the biggest vintage Haute Couture collectors in Europe, sent a pair of 1950s Dior leather gloves to the dry cleaner and… There was not much left of them

Do it at your own risk!

Are you as fond of gloves as I am?

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