When A Lady Wears Gloves

My mother, always one to seek a solution to any problem, handed me a crumpled paper bag. I had been lamenting the sorry state of my hands what with all the hand washing, sanitizing and gardening.  "At bedtime, just grease up your hands with Vaseline and slip them into gloves. It works great," she enthused.

Inside, carefully folded in pairs, were gloves - my mother's gloves from a time when all ladies wore gloves.

The rules of etiquette were said to be simple: "Gloves should be worn the streets of cities and large town, when going to church, to a luncheon, dinner or reception; a dance, a wedding or an official function. They are also worn to a restaurant and in the theater. Smart women usually wear gloves while traveling on a train or plane or in any public conveyance. On formal occasions, gloves are worn by the guests and by the hostess, while she is receiving."

And not only were there rules for wearing gloves, there were also rules for removing gloves. "Gloves must always be removed before eating, drinking, smoking, playing cards or putting on makeup. When lunching in a restaurant, a lady removes her coat but keeps on her hat and gloves, removing her gloves when seated at the table. At dances, long gloves would be part of a lady's ensembles and as such, kept on. At dances, long gloves would be part of a lady's ensemble and as such, kept on. The glove fingers should be tucked into the opening at the wrist while smoking or drinking, and the gloves removed entirely immediately upon sitting at the table,"

One even had guidance about what to do when shaking hands "A lady never takes off her gloves to shake hands, and never asks that her glove be excused. (Of course, this is excepted if she is wearing soiled gardening gloves, in which case she says she is sorry she can't shake hands.)"

What's more, there was advice about choosing appropriate gloves. "The most important point is to make sure they fit and are comfortable. Gloves that are too tight tend to make hands look like sausages. A gloves of the same color as the sleeve of your garment makes the arm look longer. A contrasting gloves seems to shorten it. White or beige gloves are equally appropriate for any costume with which colors will harmonize. Black gloves are always smart. Formal occasions do not demand, but somehow suggest, white gloves. It is considered very smart to wear matching gloves and millinery."

Even more advice: "The style of glove is dictated by fashion and the style of the lady's outfit. Simple styles usually accessorize tailored ensembles, while dressy, decorated gloves accompany more formal clothes. Bracelets may be worn over long gloves, but never rings."

All the women in my life wore lady gloves when I was growing up. "Danny," my maternal grandmother, took great pride in her appearance and had beautiful clothes. She had a large collection of gloves and many were the very smart ones that matched her ensemble. Hers carried the scent of Beeman's gum mixed with tobacco, likely from spending time in her handbag.

My Grandma Heimel wore gloves too. Here she is on my wedding day and you can see even then, the early 1970s, she wore the requisite white gloves.

I believe the very last time I wore "lady gloves" was on prom night, 1968.

I have to admit that I went searching in the box in the attic that I knew holds that very dress and other assorted formals to locate those gloves with their little pearl buttons at the wrist.