Regency Gloves - The Long and Short of ItThe second installation of Regency Fashion Inspiration
Gloves were an indispensable item of clothing during the Regency Period (and well into the middle of the 20th Century!) Women were rarely seen without them and they were purchased in quantity and often. You will certainly be looking for gloves for your Lafayette Ball look, and I am happy to share with you some history, specifications and links on where to procure them.
According to Margery Wilson's Pocket Book of Etiquette, "A glove of the same color as the sleeve makes the arm look longer. A contrasting glove seems to shorten it. Gray, beige and white regency gloves are equally appropriate for any costume with which these colors will harmonize. Black gloves are smart always. Young people wear many colors in gloves to match any tone in their costumes. A woman does not remove her gloves when she is calling, unless she accepts either food or drink which would necessitate their removal. If she is wearing long gloves as part of her formal costume, she removes them before going to dinner and carries them with her, putting them on again afterward if she wants to do so." Varying in length, the most popular styles during the regency were: long- for formal dinners and balls (strictly white); gauntlet- for riding and winter; and short, palm length gloves for everything else (gardening, walking, etc.)
I have noted after reviewing hundreds of fashion plates from the period (1810-1825) that gloves worn with evening dress & ballgowns share the following characteristics:
Gloves were an indispensable item of clothing during the Regency Period (and well into the middle of the 20th Century!) Women were rarely seen without them and they were purchased in quantity and often. You will certainly be looking for gloves for your Lafayette Ball look, and I am happy to share with you some history, specifications and links on where to procure them.
According to Margery Wilson's Pocket Book of Etiquette, "A glove of the same color as the sleeve makes the arm look longer. A contrasting glove seems to shorten it. Gray, beige and white regency gloves are equally appropriate for any costume with which these colors will harmonize. Black gloves are smart always. Young people wear many colors in gloves to match any tone in their costumes. A woman does not remove her gloves when she is calling, unless she accepts either food or drink which would necessitate their removal. If she is wearing long gloves as part of her formal costume, she removes them before going to dinner and carries them with her, putting them on again afterward if she wants to do so."
Varying in length, the most popular styles during the regency were: long- for formal dinners and balls (strictly white); gauntlet- for riding and winter; and short, palm length gloves for everything else (gardening, walking, etc.)
I have noted after reviewing hundreds of fashion plates from the period (1810-1825) that gloves worn with evening dress & ballgowns share the following characteristics:
- white
- up to but below or just slightly above the elbow
- loose fitting around the forearm and slouched down to give an almost "messy" appearance
- bracelets (if worn) were worn on top of the gloves
- Some gloves appear to have ruffles or rouching along the upper openings
- Some gloves had top of hand seams, others did not.
Here are a "few" fashion plates demonstrating the characteristics outlined above.
I've included images from earlier decades as some of you may be of an age to prefer fashions from "their youth" (1800-1810s) for this ball.
- white
- up to but below or just slightly above the elbow
- loose fitting around the forearm and slouched down to give an almost "messy" appearance
- bracelets (if worn) were worn on top of the gloves
- Some gloves appear to have ruffles or rouching along the upper openings
- Some gloves had top of hand seams, others did not.
Here are a "few" fashion plates demonstrating the characteristics outlined above.
I've included images from earlier decades as some of you may be of an age to prefer fashions from "their youth" (1800-1810s) for this ball.
So where can you find YOUR gloves?
You can find vintage (though most likely Victorian or later) white opera length gloves in Antique Stores and on sites like Etsy and eBay. But keep in mind antique textiles come with risks: 1) they will likely be expensive if they are good quality, 2) the material/threads can be fragile and fall apart with minimal wear, 3) they are likely to be very small (explaining why they remained in such good condition all these years).
You can also purchase gloves through Amazon.
A few I have found that are quite nice (and roomy) can be found here:
You can find vintage (though most likely Victorian or later) white opera length gloves in Antique Stores and on sites like Etsy and eBay. But keep in mind antique textiles come with risks: 1) they will likely be expensive if they are good quality, 2) the material/threads can be fragile and fall apart with minimal wear, 3) they are likely to be very small (explaining why they remained in such good condition all these years).
You can also purchase gloves through Amazon.
A few I have found that are quite nice (and roomy) can be found here:
