Opera gloves have been all over recent runways too, adding texture, quirk and elegance. There were latex ones juxtaposed with draped chiffon at Victoria Beckham and sultry black lace versions at Dolce & Gabbana and Versace spring/summer 2023. Dramatic silk and embellished versions were also spied at the likes of Schiaparelli, Thom Browne, Balenciaga and Valentino on the most recent haute couture runways.

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Glamorous opera gloves or elbow-length gloves, worn mostly for the evening, have been around since the 15th century. Queen Elizabeth I was said to be a fan and the style was worn as a sign of wealth and status.

Arguably nobody wore them better than Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes or Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Former first lady and ultimate style icon Jacqueline Kennedy was also a prolific sporter of the sartorial statement, donning long white gloves to JFK’s presidential inauguration, at formal balls and for many White House occasions.

Kathryn Eisman, host of the fashion reality TV series Undressed and founder of hosiery, sock and glove brand High Heel Jungle, says opera gloves, which particularly took off during and post the global pandemic, are a reaction to times of disruption.

“Gone are the tracksuits and the monotonous mono-tonal looks that have dominated fashion for the past few years. Prints, bold colours, opera gloves, wild tights and fashion socks are the post-prohibition party of our times,” she says.

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“In creating High Heel Jungle I wanted to allow people to equally dress to express as to impress … We are seeing our customers drawn to our ‘main character energy’ pieces, featuring colour, prints, whimsical socks, tights and opera gloves.”

Donning a pair of elbow-length gloves, be they classic silk ones, cool mesh or lace versions or sheer and embellished, are, says Eisman, “a long lean manicured middle finger up at the rules and restrictions of our not so distant past.”

What could be more pleasingly dramatic than that?

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