A pinnacle of regal elegance, HM The Queen, remains in our hearts worldwide.
As the Chair of the upcoming Salvation Army of Palm Beach County’s “Paradise Ball,” a centennial celebration this December, I have received several questions about the appropriate attire for a White-tie Ball. White-tie has been around for centuries and is the most formal dress code.
For ladies, a floor-length evening gown and jewels are appropriate, and for gentlemen, a black jacket with tails (tails reach the back of the knees), accompanied by a white tie. (As an alternative to tails, a black tie tuxedo may be worn but is considered less formal.) I will address attire details at a later date.
Let’s discuss opera-length gloves! Opera-length gloves are de rigueur for a White-tie event. They reach over the elbow and are the epitome of formal elegance.
Ever since Queen Elizabeth II’s honeymoon, Cornelia James, who holds a Royal Warrant, made her gloves for over 70 years. I had the brilliant honor of speaking with Mr. Lawson, the MD of Business at Cornelia James, and his mother, Genevieve James, Creative Director and the daughter of Cornelia James. (She wrote this recent article about The Queen)
Opera-length gloves can be in leather, silk, or satin. The most traditional, and my preference, are the very elegant, “white leather, full-length opera gloves with mousquetaire.”
When our youngest daughter Caroline (in white) made her debut at The Infirmary Ball in New York City, it was a few days before Christmas. It was a magical evening with family and friends who came from afar to celebrate with us! It was the perfect occasion to wear opera-length gloves.
Here are a few etiquette guidelines you may wish to be privy to when wearing opera-length gloves:
Can you eat with gloves on?
Eating with gloves on, whether you’re standing or seated at a dining table, is not done. The mousquetaire “button” option allows one to unbutton the buttons under your wrist and semi-remove your gloves to dine. Once the buttons are undone, a lady can then pull her hand out from the opening and tuck the remainder of the glove neatly up the wrist and inside the gloves.
Alternatively, one may gracefully remove the gloves completely by gently pushing down the arm portion toward your wrist whilst pulling each finger until the glove slips off.
If the gloves do not have the mousquetaire buttons, where does one place the evening gloves once they are removed while seated at a formal dinner?
After you remove your gloves, fold them in half, and place them on your lap with your napkin over them. The gloves may be removed before being seated or at the dinner table.
After dinner, one may put the gloves back on by first placing the hand in and working the glove up from the wrist, then gradually smoothing the glove up the arm. Try not to pull from the top.
Can you drink with gloves on?
Yes, it is acceptable to drink with your gloves on.
May jewelry be worn on top of your gloves?
Yes, an evening bracelet may be worn over a glove, but not rings. (Note the photograph of Queen Elizabeth II above.)
May I wear gloves other than the color white?
Yes, look at the color options that Cornelia James offers.
Do you want to completely cover your arm with your opera gloves?
No, a bit of your arm should be showing. So, if you have a capped sleeve, you may wish to rouche the top of the opera-length glove down a bit, because a portion of the arm should always be visible.
Do you wear evening gloves while dancing?
Yes, indeed! (Visions of the Ball in the movie, My Fair Lady, come to mind!)
Should you wear your formal gloves when shaking hands or while standing in a receiving line?
Yes, you may shake hands with evening gloves on, except when shaking hands with the President, the First Lady, or a high-ranking church or government official.
When presenting your hand to be kissed, should you take your glove off?
You may keep your glove on when your hand is being kissed by a gentleman. This is such a charming, old-world European tradition. I will never forget when my German son-in-law kissed my hand upon our first meeting… I thought to myself, he is a keeper. And he is!
Grandmillennial Tips:
It is important to have the gloves fit your hand and your arm perfectly, therefore it is best to have bespoke gloves. They are a timeless investment. Mr. Lawson kindly offered a 10% discount link to those ordering bespoke gloves. The measuring chart is below. The turnaround time is under two weeks at Cornelia James.
It is such a delight to discuss various aspects of old-world elegance, a gracious time when gentle manners mattered.
Xx
Holly