And that led to all sorts of connotations. 'The hand being the organ of touch was eroticized, so we came to cover it up.

Valerie Steele explains 'from the Gilded Age and late 19th century, opera gloves were part of a long history of glove-wearing as a status symbol for elite people-both male and female (but by the late 19th century, mostly female).' And that's where things get a little bit more sultry. And surely in 2022, fashionistas will find new and creative ways to add the opera glove into their looks.ĭirector of the Museum at FIT and fashion historian Dr. It's the perfect way to add unexpected element of sophistication to formal wear, or even a cocktail look. All signs point to the accessory making a major comeback this year-and we are enthusiastically on board.

But the long and elegant formal glove has recently started to make a comeback, appearing in Adele's most recent music video as well as on the red carpet by Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney (hers were Prada).

Perhaps you even think of that iconic black tie image of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy from the '90s. When thinking of opera-length gloves, the mind probably first goes to debutantes and heiresses-aristocratic women from days past.

Red opera gloves