How to Wear Wedding Gloves

Co-authored by LaTricia Brown

Last Updated: May 24, 2022 References

Bridal gloves came to be in our history when they represented a sign of status and power. Out of respect, they were worn at all traditional and religious ceremonies, particularly by royalty and dignitaries. Therefore, bridal gloves can give a wedding gown a traditional dignity and a sophisticated elegance. If you want to use gloves at your wedding, first pick the right type(length, material, and color). Consider your personal tastes as well as your dress's style to pick the right gloves for you. From there, make sure you figure out when and where you will wear the gloves during the ceremony.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Matching Your Gloves to Your Dress Type

1
Match your gloves' length to your sleeves. The most important factor in choosing gloves are the length. Sleeve length can help you narrow down the type of gloves that work best for your dress. Different length sleeves call for longer or shorter gloves.^{[1]
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- If the sleeves of the dress are short, the length of the gloves will be longer. If you are wearing a sleeveless dress, gloves that are longer than your elbows are ideal.
- For longer sleeves, gloves may not be the best option. However, wrist-length short gloves can be appropriate here.
2
Pair opera gloves with simple gowns. "Opera gloves" are very long gloves that go far beyond the elbow, and are very dressy and make for a bold look. They will be the primary focus of your outfit. These gloves have a strong presence and affect the overall atmosphere of the dress. If you have a simpler gown, opera gloves work great as they add luxurious atmosphere.^{[2]
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- If you are tall and have thin and long arms, then longest opera gloves will look great on you and accentuate your beauty even more.
- If your arms are thick and short, then opera gloves are less suitable and medium length gloves that do not go beyond the elbow may be more suitable.
- For a more modern simple gown, black opera gloves can be worn instead of white ones. Black gloves have the visual effect of making your hands and arms look slimmer.
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3
Choose appropriate gloves for a ball gown. If you wear a sleeveless ballgown style veil, long gloves can work well. This goes well with the elegance and formality of a ball gown dress. However, if your ball gown has long-illusion sleeves, it's best to forego gloves as they weigh down the look.^{[3]
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4
Select fitting gloves for an empire dress. An empire dress with puffed sleeves pairs well with shorter, daintier gloves. This works best for a summer wedding. For a formal wedding that takes place in the winter, opera gloves are sometimes appropriate with a short sleeved empire dress.^{[4]
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5
Choose classic gloves for an A-line dress. For a sleeveless a-line dress, go for classic six-button gloves that are short or mid-length. For a three-quarter sleeve, gloves should be around wrist length. However, if your sleeves are very ornate, it may be best to opt out of gloves altogether to avoid taking attention away from your sleeves.^{[5]
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6
Decide on the length you want. There are no hard and fast rules about glove lengths. However, certain lengths give off a different style and pair well with different dresses.^{[6]
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- Shorter gloves generally work better with longer sleeves. The shortest types of gloves fall just at the base of the palm and can work well for a very long-sleeved dress.
- Medium length gloves are about midway between the wrist and elbow, and are sometimes also called "gauntlets". They can pair well with a dress with shorter sleeves.
- Long length gloves reach the elbow or past the elbow. These work best with plainer dresses with very short sleeves or no sleeves.
- The basic rule as to length of gloves may be defined as follows: the shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove. Opera gloves are, therefore, properly worn with sleeveless or short-sleeved dresses or strapless, sleeveless (with straps) or short-sleeved gowns.
7
Select the right fabric. The most formal fabric for opera gloves is kid goat leather, but this is very expensive and unsuitable for a typical wedding. If you're adhering to tradition, strive to match the fabric of your wedding dress. If a dress is satin, for example, opt for satin gloves. While this is tradition, remember you can make your own rules regarding wedding gloves. If you have your heart set on, say, lace gloves, do not hesitate to go with your first choice simply because it does not match the dress. All types of wedding gloves are sold in multiple fabric types. Choose the type of fabric that matches your vision for your wedding day.^{[7]
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- If you decide on a glove type, explore different fabric options. At a wedding boutique, for example, request to see a pair of opera gloves in a range of fabrics to decide which style you like best.
- Lace gloves may get caught on dresses with beading.^{[8]
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  LaTricia Brown
  Master Tailor & Creative Director
  Expert Interview. 9 July 2021.}
8
Opt for embellishments. If your dress is on the plain side, think about going for embellished gloves. Many wedding gloves come with detailed lace, bows, sequins, and other embellishments to add a little variety to your dress.
- Instead of buttons, get a glove with a bow adorning the wrist.
- Look for gloves with detailed lace, especially if your dress is solid colored without embellishments.
- Some gloves come adorned with sparkles of sequins. If you want your wedding to have a fairy tale feel, think about choosing these types of gloves.
9
Pick a vibrant color. Shiny pure white gloves are suitable for almost any dresses. They signify high status, clean hands, white gloves as cleanliness and purity. But, gloves color do not have to match the wedding dress. Some brides pick gloves in a color they love instead of going with traditional white gloves. This can work for a modern wedding where you're not following tradition. For example, if your favorite color is pink, wear light pink wedding gloves.^{[9]
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- If you're trying to get your "something blue" in, wear pale blue wedding gloves.
- If harmony with the dress is your top priority, the color of the gloves should be the same as or lighter than the color of the dress. Therefore, do not choose a color that is darker than your dress.
- If you want to wear gloves for a more flashy style, you can wear shiny black leather opera gloves. Black wedding gloves are also one of today's trends, as designer "Vera Wang" has shown with her collection.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Selecting a Glove Style

1
Opt for fingerless gloves for a modern feel. One downside to gloves is that taking them on and off during the ceremony can be cumbersome. If you're having a more modern wedding, fingerless gloves can fit into the look and solve this problem. Fingerless gloves come in a variety of fashions and styles, just like regular gloves, but do not have fingers.^{[10]
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- Some gloves have a slit in the ring finger designed for the ring ceremony. If you do not want to have to take your gloves off during the ceremony, but do not want fingerless gloves, consider this option.
2
Go for vintage gloves for an old fashioned wedding. If you're having a wedding with a vintage feel, buy a pair of vintage gloves to match. Stop by a local vintage shop and look for gloves from another era for your big day.^{[11]
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- If you're trying to incorporate something borrowed, ask an older relative for their wedding gloves.
- Vintage glove styles include things like heavily buttoned gloves, old-fashioned driving gloves, winter gloves, and gauntlet gloves.^{[12]
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3
Get the right size. You do not want to end up wearing gloves that are too tight. Get your hands measured at a bridal shop to make sure you order gloves in the right size. American sizes generally run from small to extra large, while European sizes run from sizes 7 to 10.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Following Glove Etiquette

1
Keep your gloves on during the ceremony. If you choose the style of wearing gloves at your wedding, make sure to wear gloves at all times during the ceremony. Always keep in mind that gloves are part of the dress and an important element of formal wear. As you walk down the aisle and say your vows, your gloves should remain in place. If bridesmaids are wearing matching gloves, they should also keep their gloves on during the ceremony.^{[14]
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2
Remove your gloves during the ring ceremony. When exchanging rings, you can remove your gloves. Have a plan of where to set them. Some brides may hand their gloves to the maid of honor, for example. With longer gloves, consider having a slit in the ring finger instead of removing the gloves. Removing something like opera length gloves can be awkward.^{[15]
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- If you're wearing fingerless gloves, you can keep these on during the ceremony.
3
Decide whether or not to keep your gloves on after the ceremony. During the greeting line after the ceremony, many brides opt to keep their gloves on. However, there is no strict etiquette regarding greeting others with your gloves. Gloves are also optional during the reception. It's a matter of personal preference, so decide how much wearing gloves after the ceremony matters to you.^{[16]
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- Bring multiple pairs of gloves so you can always have a clean pair to put on.^{[17]
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  Expert Source
  
  LaTricia Brown
  Master Tailor & Creative Director
  Expert Interview. 9 July 2021.}
4
Take your gloves off when eating or drinking. If you're going to be eating or drinking, it's customary to remove your gloves. This will protect them from damage. If you opt to keep your gloves on at the reception, remove them when having a drink or food.^{[18]
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- However, for very small bites or drinks, it's okay to keep your gloves on.
5
Bend the rules based on your preferences. While there was once strict etiquette regarding gloves during a wedding ceremony, a lot of tradition has faded with time. It's okay to make your own rules based on your personal preferences. It is your wedding, so you should wear gloves however you choose. It's okay to alter rules to suit the needs of your ceremony.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Should I wear wedding gloves?

LaTricia Brown
Master Tailor & Creative Director
LaTricia Brown is a Master Tailor and Designer and the Owner of Trish B. Stylin' based in the Savannah, Georgia metro area. LaTricia has over a decade of experience including bridal design, men's and women's clothing design, and fashion show directing. She has a BFA in Fashion with a minor in Accessory Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). LaTricia has worked with W Magazine in New York City and has assisted with the personal styling of P. Diddy. She has also assisted the development of Sean John's 10-Year Anniversary Collection and appeared in the filming of Diddy's "If I Were King" Documentary.

LaTricia Brown

Master Tailor & Creative Director

Expert Answer

You can, if you'd like! Wedding gloves can offer a very classic and regal element to bridal ensemble.
Question

Can a bride wear lace gloves?

LaTricia Brown
Master Tailor & Creative Director
LaTricia Brown is a Master Tailor and Designer and the Owner of Trish B. Stylin' based in the Savannah, Georgia metro area. LaTricia has over a decade of experience including bridal design, men's and women's clothing design, and fashion show directing. She has a BFA in Fashion with a minor in Accessory Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). LaTricia has worked with W Magazine in New York City and has assisted with the personal styling of P. Diddy. She has also assisted the development of Sean John's 10-Year Anniversary Collection and appeared in the filming of Diddy's "If I Were King" Documentary.

LaTricia Brown

Master Tailor & Creative Director

Expert Answer

You definitely can! Just be mindful that lace gloves may catch on a heavily-beaded dress.
Question

Can I wear short gloves for a very formal summer wedding? The reception is indoors.

Community Answer

Sure, you can wear short gloves. It's an elegant classic.