Sexy accessory

Maybe it occured to you while turning the pages of an Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Avantgarde or any other fashion magazine, that there are so many ladies gloves. They're very popular and every stylist loves to put them on models. Every self-respecting fashion label has gloves in their collections and not only in the autumn-winter season; Prada, Versace, Dior, Chanel, Ferragamo, you name them.

Gloves can give a woman a very sexy and powerful expression and the true fashionista's understand why (if not; their stylist does). Good examples are celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani and so on. Gloves radiate elegance, one of the best rated female characteristics. That's why they're worn to formal occasions with a glamourous character. They're a 'must' at white-tie occasions and very stylish in black-tie. Gloves are also a lovely addition to a pretty cocktaildress and a very popular accessory to the bridal outfit.

Satin is the most common material, but can be very ordinary. Leather is something else. For gloves you need very soft and supple materials, like nappa and sheep leather. Often such gloves are lined with silk. Fashionable gloves are available in all lengths; finger length, wrist length, over wrist lenght, lower arm, elbow, upper arm (the last ones also being known as 'opera gloves'). You can adjust the length of your gloves to your sleeves, about which we'll talk later on.

The best advice is to go shopping and put some gloves on, see how they feel. And don't just go to a big warehouse, but rather to a luxury shop specialised in ladies gloves. There the personel will be able to tell your exact glove size, which is important because they should fit like a....

Gloves do's and don'ts

There's quite some rules around wearing gloves stylishly, but here we try to summarize all that in some simple do's and don'ts.

Definite Don'ts:

• Don't eat, drink or smoke while wearing gloves
• Don't play cards with gloves on
• Don't put on make-up wearing gloves.
  
• No Jewelry over gloves, except bracelets.
  
• Don't carry gloves, wear them. They're part of your outfit.
• Don't wear short gloves to very formal occasions (white tie)
  

Definite Do's

• Wear gloves. When you're going shopping, visiting a friend, driving your car and at garden parties and receptions. You can always wear them.
  
• Wear gloves to show your respect in a church or a place of worship.
• Wear gloves at formal occasions such as receptions, balls or when you arrive at a lunch or dinnerparty.
  
• Keep your gloves on in a receiving line (when you shake hands; that is when you're a lady)
  
• If you're going to dance, keep your gloves on.
  
• At a cocktailpary you can keep your gloves on until food is served. When the drinks and hors d'oeuvres arrive you can turn them at the wrist remove one to pass on a tray or saucer.
  
• Remove the gloves entirely at the dining table. You can place them in your lap under your napkin.
  
• Remove your gloves on arrival at an informal party. You can leave them with your coat.