Vintage Glove Fashion
Instructions: Test your knowledge of the era when no outfit was complete without the proper pair of gloves!
- 1.
In the 1940s and 1950s, when was it considered proper etiquette for a woman to wear gloves?
AOnly at churchBWhenever going out in publicCOnly at formal eventsDOnly in winter - 2.
What long, elegant gloves reaching above the elbow were traditionally worn with formal evening gowns?
ADriving glovesBCocktail glovesCGauntlet glovesDOpera gloves - 3.
What type of short, wrist-length cotton gloves was the everyday choice for women in the 1950s?
AFingerless glovesBDriving glovesCMittensDShorties - 4.
According to 1950s etiquette, when should a woman remove her gloves at a formal dinner?
AUpon entering the buildingBNever during the eventCWhen greeting the hostDWhen sitting down to eat - 5.
What material were the most luxurious dress gloves typically made from?
ASatinBCottonCSilkDKid leather - 6.
Which Hollywood icon performed a famous glove-removing scene in the 1946 film 'Gilda'?
ALana TurnerBRita HayworthCAva GardnerDLauren Bacall - 7.
What color gloves were considered the most versatile and essential in every woman's wardrobe during the 1950s?
AWhiteBBlackCBrownDNavy - 8.
What button closure system, featuring small pearl-like buttons at the wrist, was commonly found on dress gloves?
AVelcroBSnap buttonsCHook and eyeDMousquetaire buttons - 9.
In which decade did gloves largely disappear from everyday women's fashion?
A1950sB1980sC1960sD1970s - 10.
What specialty store existed in many department stores and downtowns specifically for buying gloves?
AHaberdasheryBGlove counter or glove shopCMillineryDHosiery shop - 11.
What finger-free glove style became fashionable for driving in the 1960s and 1970s?
AGauntletsBMittensCFingerless driving glovesDHalf-finger gloves - 12.
According to 1950s etiquette, what should a woman do with her gloves when shaking hands?
ARemove both glovesBKeep gloves onCAlways remove the right gloveDThe host decides - 13.
What delicate fabric was often used for summer church gloves in the 1950s?
ALaceBChiffonCSilkDOrganza - 14.
What singer famously wore a single sequined glove as a signature fashion statement in the 1980s?
APrinceBMadonnaCBoy GeorgeDMichael Jackson - 15.
How were gloves traditionally measured for proper fit at a glove counter?
ABy ring sizeBBy tracing the handCBy trying on samplesDBy measuring the hand's circumference at the knuckles
Answer Key
Through the 1950s, well-dressed women wore gloves whenever leaving the house, whether shopping, going to church, or attending social events. It was considered incomplete to go without them.
Opera gloves, extending past the elbow to the upper arm, were the required accessory for formal evening wear, especially with sleeveless or short-sleeved gowns.
Shortie gloves (wrist-length cotton or nylon gloves) were the everyday accessory for women in the 1950s, worn for shopping, errands, and casual outings.
Etiquette dictated that gloves should be removed when sitting down to eat, though they could be kept on for cocktails and dancing at a formal event.
Kid leather (made from young goat skin) was the most prized material for dress gloves, known for its extreme softness and supple fit.
Rita Hayworth's legendary long glove removal scene in 'Gilda' (1946) is one of the most famous and sensual moments in classic cinema.
White gloves were the most versatile choice, considered appropriate for most daytime occasions and essential for spring and summer outfits.
Mousquetaire buttons were the traditional button openings at the wrist or inside of long gloves, allowing the hand portion to be opened for eating while keeping the glove on.
The 1960s saw the decline of everyday glove-wearing as fashion became more casual and youthful, though gloves remained for formal occasions.
Dedicated glove counters in department stores and standalone glove shops were common through the 1950s, offering expert fitting and a wide selection.
Fingerless leather driving gloves, with knuckle holes and a snap closure at the back of the hand, were a stylish automotive accessory in the 1960s and 1970s.
According to etiquette of the era, a woman could keep her gloves on when shaking hands, unlike men who were expected to remove their gloves for a handshake.
Lace gloves, light and breathable, were a popular choice for church and summer events in the 1950s, adding a feminine touch to Sunday best outfits.
Michael Jackson's single white sequined glove became one of the most iconic fashion accessories in pop music history, debuting on the 1983 Motown special.
Glove size was determined by measuring around the widest part of the hand across the knuckles. A trained salesperson would use a tape measure for a perfect fit.