8 Beautiful Pairs Of Wedding Gloves For The Most Elegant Brides
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2 days ago
Everything you need to know about this season’s most coveted wedding accessory
So you’ve already worked out which shoes you’re wearing, the length of your veil and the designer tasked with making your bridal gown (if not, be sure to check out our list of the very best British names here) – but what about the accessories? No, we’re not talking about a chic bridal clutch, but rather something a little more traditional: wedding gloves.
‘Gloves provide the perfect finishing touch,’ notes Genevieve James, creative director at British glovemakers Cornelia James. ‘A beautiful pair of gloves turn every event into an occasion – especially a wedding. They will elevate your bridal outfit to a new level of sophistication.’
As mentioned, the act of brides wearing gloves on their wedding day isn’t new. In fact, the practice dates back to the medieval period, when the groom would send a pair of gloves to his intended bride – with the hope that she would then wear them to church, and accept his offer of marriage.
While rings are now the accessory of choice for proposals, gloves still offer plenty of romance for brides – whether inspired by medieval love stories, regency balls or royal wedding ceremonies. Wedding gloves are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after bridal accessories of the year, thanks to a slew of celebrity nuptials putting them front and centre. (The most recent famous face being Chloë Grace Moretz, who opted for a pair of blue satin opera gloves to match her Louis Vuitton wedding dress.)
But where to start? According to Genevieve, it all begins with finding the right length.
A Guide To Wedding Glove Styles By Length
There isn’t a strict sartorial code when it comes to shopping for wedding gloves, but there are a few core styles and lengths that brides can use as their starting point. We’ve highlighted some of our favourites below.
Opera Gloves (16 inches)
The most popular length, opera gloves sweep all the way from the tips of your fingers up the length of each arm. ‘These typically measure around 16 inches long, measured from the base of the thumb up the arm,’ adds Genevieve. ‘This length works really well with sleeveless and strapless bridal dresses.’
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Elbow Length (12 inches)
If sleeves are non-negotiable, then you might feel more comfortable with an elbow length glove. ‘If the bride has a cap sleeve or short sleeve then a slightly shorter glove works well,’ adds Genevieve. ‘Finishing just above the elbow, these gloves are around 12 inches.’
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Wrist Length (8–9 inches)
And then there’s the shortest length, which sits at the wrist. ‘There is always the option to have a wrist length glove,’ notes Genevieve. ‘Perfect for a wedding dress with long or three-quarter length sleeves. We’ve noticed this is a popular option amongst both brides and mothers of the bride.’
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Fingerless Gloves (any length)
There’s also the option of a partial – or rather, fingerless – glove. ‘These are popular with brides who would like to have their fingers free or show off their ring,’ says Genevieve. She adds that brides like to combine the detail with opera length gloves, although they can be adapted for any length.
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What To Consider When Shopping For Bridal Gloves
Think about how it will look with the dress
‘The glove has to work and blend with the dress,’ emphasises Genevieve. ‘They are not the star of the show, but rather bring the whole look together.’ She also recommends ordering swatches of any wedding gloves you have your eye on before committing, so you can see how it will look against your dress.
Try them on
Just like your veil and shoes, you’ll also want to wear any gloves you’re considering while trying on your dress or going for fittings. (Although note that many bridal boutiques don’t stock wedding gloves, so you may have to take a pair with you.)
Consider the fabric
Fabric and texture is also super important when considering bridal gloves, notes Genevieve. ‘It’s important that the fabric and colour matches the dress as closely as possible,’ she says. ‘If a bride is wearing a dress with a satin finish or a fabric that has a sheen on it, then we would recommend a silk glove; it has a matt finish and creates a soft, elegant look against the satin fabric.
‘But if a bridal gown has a matt finish (silk or crepe), then satin gloves work best,’ she continues. ‘Tulle gloves, meanwhile, work well with both shiny and matt finish gowns. The tulle fabric is translucent, so there’s no need to worry about colour matching as all you see is the natural skin colour when it is worn.’
Opt for bespoke styles
This is also an element of the bridal outfit that is ripe for personalisation – from embroidered dates and initials to ‘ring windows’ that still let your wedding jewellery peek through. ‘Our thinking is that if you have a beautiful wedding gown, why would you not wish to have beautiful gloves as well,’ notes Genevieve. ‘With a pair of custom fit, bespoke gloves, you have so many options to make them just as special as your dress.’
