Mid-20th C. Women’s Glove Etiquette

   

Social successories – Women’s long silk gloves, along with a pair of vintage leather gloves, antique glove stretchers and button hooks.

Glove Etiquette

There was a time when gloves played an important role in society, and a lady was rarely seen in public without them. Today, especially in Southern California where the dressing habits are so casual, the emphasis placed on this accessory is perhaps not stressed enough. When a young woman is trying to look her best, gloves tend to give her a more poised and pleasing appearance. The college girl should always wear gloves to such events as semi-formal and formal dances, receptions, concerts, formal dinners, interviews, weddings, etc…

In choosing a length for your gloves, you should consider the type of sleeve you will be wearing. The lengths of gloves range from one-button (one inch above the base of the thumb) to 20 buttons (20 inches above the base of the thumb). For short-sleeved dresses, any length along the lower forearm is appropriate. Sleeveless cocktail dresses and semi-formals are effectively accessorized with elbow-length gloves. On very formal occasions where long, bare-armed gowns are prevalent, only opera and shoulder lengths are permissible. The popular shorty gloves are the most versatile of all and can be worn with almost anything.

Gloves have acquired an etiquette of their own, and the manner in which they are handled is important. Once inside a building or house, you may remove them at any time except at formal dances, dinners, and receptions. When eating, both gloves should be removed and kept on the lap under the dinner napkin, never on top of the table. A lady should always keep her gloves on while shaking hands.

Fine store glove departments have a complete selection of the finest gloves in the most fashionable styles, colors, and materials. There you can find chic gloves designed in imported kid, pigskin, or the new stretch leather that conforms to the shape of the hand beautifully. To make it easy for you to coordinate an outfit, the fabric gloves of easy care cotton or nylon come in a host of shades. For evening, luxurious metallic fabrics and satins have been used to give more importance and elegance to the hands. 

To add an extra touch of completeness to an outfit, matching purses have been combined with gloves that fit every hand size (they make perfect gifts, too!). At Harris' glove counter, individual attention is given to helping you select the right style and insuring a perfect fit. Remember, properly gloved hands can make the difference between good and bad grooming. – By Mary Kay and Pam Louden for the Highlander, 1964

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Gloves in Space?

The first female who orbited in space was Russian cosmonaut, Valentina Tereshkova, in 1963. She was just 26 years old when she piloted the Vostok 6 spacecraft around Earth alone. She orbited Earth for 48 hours. It’s not known whether she ate with disposable plastic gloves on while orbiting our planet, but as early astronaut foods were dispensed by toothpaste-style tubes, Etiquipedia is wondering if the gloves would have been a necessity or not. Dining in weightlessness creates special challenges and great strides have been made in foods since the first pioneers went into space. We aren’t sure if gloves ever actually entered into the dining picture.

With Gloves On

NEW YORK (UPI)- —When a fashionable female accepts a spin in a spaceship, she will have to reverse one bit of etiquette. She'll eat with gloves on! 

Air Force space scientists at least, figure that for short space hops a disposable plastic mitten can be worn at mealtime. This reportedly will eliminate the need to wash the hands after meals. – 1961

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia