Opera Gloves Are Everywhere But Do They Work IRL? I Found Out

In the last year it’s been hard to look at a red carpet without spotting a certain swanky accessory on everybody’s arms. From Gigi Hadid at the Met Gala to Alexa Chung at the British Fashion Awards, celebrities left, right and centre flocked to the opera glove. Some suggested that the full coverage look was a direct response to COVID culture while others mused about a return to Old Hollywood glamour. NYC’s favorite fashionista Carrie Bradshaw even sported a bejewelled Gucci pair in an episode of And Just Like That. 

The style has been a firm favorite among the Gen Z elite too, with Harry Styles and Måneskin’s Damiano David making the case for men rocking opera gloves. Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira gave us one of this season’s favorite fashion moments in Aune Collections while castmate Sydney Sweeney turned to Miu Miu’s classic interpretation for the series premiere. The pièce de résistance, however, has to be Dua Lipa’s most recent long-gloved look, which saw the singer take the stage in a diamanté-encrusted Mugler catsuit with matching handwear.

Popular culture may have moved the needle on the style but the runways have cemented the opera glove as a staple for AW22. At London Fashion Week Richard Quinn combined a love of latex and florals in blue rose-strewn prints, Simone Rocha provided regal, embellished designs and emerging label Poster Girl presented suede selections with romantic cut-outs. The silhouette continued its domination in Milan, too, with Bella Hadid modeling a black silk glove for Moschino and a sage knitted pair for Fendi.

Opera gloves may look undeniably chic on the red carpet or a high fashion runway but can they actually work in real life? The internet’s concerns boil down to practicality, with some noting that covered hands weren’t designed for a world of texting, tweeting and TikToking.

To solve this quandary once and for all, I decided to test the theory by donning opera gloves for a handful of everyday situations. Read ahead for the unvarnished truth about wearing fancy gloves IRL…

Shopping

Incorporating opera gloves into an everyday wardrobe is one thing but picking up your groceries in a statement accessory is an entirely different beast. This situation demanded a more casual cool design, leading me into the arms of Marine Serre’s streetwear-esque, moon print gloves. As I stepped onto the local high street in my usual hoodie and leggings combo, I turned to my phone to check my list of errands. This was where I encountered my first problem: the elastic glove material made swiping through my phone a harder task than usual.

Thankfully, ATMs still have actual buttons, otherwise I would have held up the post office queue for days on end. Once I got to the supermarket though, the gloves really began to work their magic. Perusing the fresh veg section I felt like an influencer who picks up organic produce without checking the price. The gloves elevated my sense of self to the point where anything felt possible: maybe I could be a person who meal preps and doesn’t buy the $1 pack of Oreos. Still, for all their main character qualities, the gloves did make the self-checkout a no-go (screen + gloves = issues). If you aren’t a fan of engaging in conversation with other human beings while shopping, they probably aren’t the best accessory for a trip to the grocery store.

Brunch

If there was a task I was most nervous about, it was eating out. Normally I try to keep my dining outfits as practical as possible (read: all black for the inevitable stains) but these lilac Dyspnea glitter gloves demanded I step things up a notch so I gladly mixed casual and classy attire for an all-out brunch look. I sipped my turmeric-based wellness drink feeling slightly smug, even receiving a rapturous comment from our waiter: “Darling…the gloves!” But the minute the main course arrived, I realized I’d made a mistake.

It turns out that opera gloves require a certain type of eating and in my ravenous state I hadn’t contemplated the fact that it absolutely had to be cutlery-based. Cut to my cheeseburger arriving and a very sticky situation. Thankfully, given the calibre of the restaurant, I didn’t look overly pretentious tucking into my bun with a knife and fork and lifting each bite to my mouth with painstaking precision. I struggled slightly to stab at my overdressed salad but eventually managed to roll myself home in a food coma so I’d call the outing a success.

Out Out

When you think of opera gloves, you think of grand occasions. Without any red carpets to attend I headed to an underground cocktail bar, which is about as fancy as my life gets. This meant pulling out the big guns in a pair of black and white velvet, feather-trimmed gloves from Miscreants. Stepping onto the bus I was convinced there would be audible gasps but once I remembered that I live in one of the biggest cities in the world, my anxiety about being overdressed disappeared. After a somewhat slippy journey trying to cling onto the pole, I stepped into the basement bar with a newfound confidence.

As I held my coupe and chatted with friends, my swanky style felt fitting to the dimly lit surroundings. I felt like a sexy Cruella de Vil, tossing my head back and shrieking with glee as I nursed my cocktail. But the minute I realized I had to pee, I panicked. Pulling off such a tight accessory is less than ideal in a bar bathroom; getting it back on is another thing. Later down the line I discovered that smoothing your hair while wearing velvet gloves will 100% cause static, resulting in a ponytail for the rest of the evening. My main takeaway? If you’re going to spend $13 on a drink, you should absolutely be doing it in ‘my husband mysteriously disappeared’ gloves. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.

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Prom Season Is Here: 9 R29 Editors Share Their Looks

Prom night has changed dramatically over the past two years. For a while, virtual dances and socially-distanced parties became the norm for Gen Z. But the promise of a great prom comeback is just around the corner, as the 2022 season starts this spring.  

Our editors remember vividly those nights: waiting for a date to ask them out, getting ready to attend the dance, and, most importantly (in our eyes, at least), picking what to wear. Some, like associate deals writer Mercedes Viera chose to go for a traditional gown, while others, like fashion director Irina Grechko and senior beauty writer Amanda Mitchell, broke rules with shorter dresses. Beauty director Sara Tan’s dress was not only custom-made but also Britney Spears-inspired(!).

Ahead of prom season, our editors looked back to their prom night looks.

The Trailblazing Dress

“I went home to Michigan to visit my mom and bought this gorgeous, Grecian-inspired orange BCBG Max Azria dress that hit just above my ankles. Little did I know, I would be a trailblazer at my new school as the first girl in the school’s history to wear a dress that wasn’t floor-length. But five years later, according to my friend’s sister, everyone was wearing short dresses to their prom. ”  — Amanda Mitchell, Senior Beauty Writer / Stories Creator

The Personality-Defining Outfit

“Prom was the moment I realized yellow will forever be my color. I also broke my school’s ‘no cleavage or lower back cut’ policy. My decision behind my prom look was a ‘moment at a crossroads’ for me. I had to make a choice of going with what was trending at the moment or doing what spoke to my spirit. It was very clear that my adult self was going to be a determined rule-breaker.” — Breanna Davis, Associate Social Media Editor

The Meant-To-Be Dress

“Knowing that everyone at my prom would wear floor-length dresses, I initially set out to wear a gown, too. While shopping though, I hated every single gown that I tried on to the point that my mom got me a backup dress, convinced I was never going to find what I wanted.

A few months before prom, while on vacation in Latvia, I walked past a local store that had a strapless, voluminous, striped dress in the window. I instantly knew it was the one despite knowing nothing about the designer and the style being knee-length. I love that the young adult in me rejected a traditional gown in favor of a short dress from an obscure designer. I should have known then that I would work in fashion and champion independent designers for a living.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director

SONY DSC

The Core Memory Dress

“I’m pretty sure I got this dress at a random Dress Barn in Jersey for my senior prom in 2010. The thing I cherish the most isn’t the outfit though, but the fact that I went to prom with my now husband! We look like little kids here but have dated since we were 15 years old — half our lives. I also remember getting ready for prom at my best friend’s house where we did our own hair and makeup. Eleven years later, that same best friend was a maid of honor at my wedding.” — Yuki Mizuma, Associate Photo Research Editor

The Not-My-Prom Prom Dress

“My class of 22 students in our very small Episcopal school in Puerto Rico opted not to have a prom. So, I got to live that dream through my cousin’s prom night. Much like I am now, back then, I preferred looser, baggy silhouettes. So it came as a surprise to everyone when I chose a navy, strapless mermaid dress to wear that night. I think it was the most glamorous gown I have ever worn to date. ” — Frances Solá-Santiago, Fashion Writer

The Matchy-Matchy Look

“My dad drove my mom and me into the big city so we could go shopping. My look was a lavender, floor-length halter-neck gown from a local independent Toronto boutique called Fashion Crimes. My makeup matched my dress (of course!), and my loose curls were inspired by Jessica Alba. I remember I ripped the red carpet photo out of InStyle to bring to the salon. — Carli Whitwell, Director of Editorial Operations

The Unapologetic Look

“The year is 2015, before I knew how to do my makeup or possess any style at all. While my makeup was actually atrocious, my dress wasn’t bad — it perfectly accentuated my cleavage. I think showing off my boobs after 12 years of private Catholic schooling really cemented — in my brain, at least — that I was a different person starting right then. I remember thinking that night, This is my last night with a lot of these people, I don’t have to hide anymore; I can be free.” — Mercedes Viera, Associate Deals Writer

The Confidence-Booster Dress

“I went with two of my best friends to one of their proms, and we made it the ultimate girls’ night. The mid-to-late 2000s were horrible for body positivity, and I struggled a lot with the fact that, at 5′8″ and while developing womanly curves, I was inherently going to always be bigger than most of my shorter, tinier friends. Luckily, mermaid silhouettes were basically made to accentuate and embrace a more voluptuous shape, and I think this dress really helped me see that my body, though not the stick-thin version I craved, was actually beautiful.”  — Annie Black, Social Editor

The Custom-Made Dress

“For my senior prom, I had a very specific point of inspiration — Britney Spears’ green Tinkerbell-esque dress from her performance with Michael Jackson in 2001. Needless to say, my mom wasn’t a fan of how short the dress was, nor was she a fan of the custom price tag, but I love how it turned out. And the fact that my prom dress was made from scratch made it feel extra special. I also love that it was inspired by Britney Spears — it just proves how much of an impact she had on my generation during that time in our lives!” — Sara Tan, Beauty Director

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Score An Exclusive 20% Off Celeb-Fave Jewelry Brand Monica Vinader

For a long time, it seemed as though many folks busted out fine jewelry exclusively for fancy occasions or special nights out. But what’s the fun of only wearing pretty things sporadically? Everyday jewelry, on the other hand, instantly elevates whatever you’re wearing, and it’s so easy. Personally speaking, as a jewelry advocate, it’s a damn joy to live in an era where piling on gold and silver has become as casual as putting on a T-shirt and jeans. Now, the question is: Where do you find reasonably priced, high-quality pieces that are worthy of daily wear? While there are plenty of flashy brands on the market, the one that recently caught our eyes is the UK-based sustainable jewelry line Monica Vinader, which makes a wide assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings perfect for layering and stacking. Monica Vinader, it should be noted, is also a low-key fave of stylish celebs like Gigi Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, Kendall Jenner, and others.

Ready to treat yourself to some new, stack-ready jewelry? You can now score an exclusive 20% off sitewide through March 31 with promo code R29US20.

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Pictured above: Gigi Hadid wears Monica Vinader Doina Pearl Earrings.

To dig a little more on the sustainability front: All metals are made from 100% recycled gold vermeil or 100% recycled sterling silver, and all of its diamonds, gemstones, and precious stones are ethically sourced. Pieces come in 100% recycled and/or reusable packaging, and the brand is certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. And, if you have any old jewelry to unload (even if it’s not from Monica Vinader!), you can send those well-worn pieces via a pre-paid label to the company to ensure that anything salvageable will get upcycled responsibly. And as a thank you for doing your part in being sustainably stylish, you’ll receive a discount on your next Monica Vinader purchase.

But wait, there’s more! Since it’s likely that you’ll wear Monica Vinader pieces almost every day, you can rest assured that everything comes with a five-year warranty and you’ll receive lifetime repairs on anything that breaks. Free (and carbon-neutral) shipping is offered both ways, and you get 100 days to try out Monica Vinader pieces — and, if one doesn’t speak to you, you can just return it, no questions asked.

Pictured above: Ear piercing services offered at Monica Vinader.

My absolute favorite tidbit about Monica Vinader is the brand’s in-house piercing services. That’s right — you can get pierced at their brick-and-mortar in NYC’s Soho, or at their shop at the Nordstrom South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA — and, at the time of writing there are plenty of immediate openings available on their website (unlike, say, the always-booked Studs or other boutique piercing studios). At Monica Vinader, you can get up to three ear piercings per appointment, anywhere on the lobe or helix, and each piercing is only $25, plus the cost of the earring you get pierced with.

Get 20% Off All Monica Vinader Necklaces (promo code: R29US20)

Bring on the chains, chokers, and beaded gemstones. Grab a few necklaces in varying lengths and textures for a layered look that is uniquely you.

Shop all Monica Vinader necklaces

Get 20% Off All Monica Vinader Earrings (promo code: R29US20)

The brand has many cute gold and silver hoops, huggies, studs, and dangling earrings that are perfect for styling your earscape.

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From dainty plain bands to bold cocktail rings (and everything else in between), the site is a fab destination for finger-stacking good times.

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Make it an arm party with a variety of cuffs, chains, and bangles. Virtually everything is mix and matchable, so chaotic stacks are highly encouraged.

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Get 20% Off All Monica Vinader Pendant Charms (promo code: R29US20)

The brand sells pendants and charms separately so that you can slide them onto any hoop earring or chain. While the droopy pearl is a can’t-go-wrong classic, Monica Vinader also offers alphabet charms, diamond and gemstone pendants, and engravable options.

Shop all Monica Vinader pendant charms

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Meet The TikTok Creators Wearing Victorian Era Fashion Every Day

Ivy Thompson first started experimenting with her style in middle school. She embraced the Japanese Lolita street style before, at some point in high school, deciding “it wasn’t challenging anymore.” So two years ago, the TikTok creator peeled back the layers of frothy dresses, bows, and knee-high socks and started sewing Victorian-inspired clothing to wear in her everyday life. 

“I was looking into other things I could wear year-round,” says Thompson. “I discovered that there’s actually a pretty robust historical costuming community out there.” Today, she’s a major player in the online Victorian fashion community. Her TikTok account, @thesewloartist, boasts over 670,000 followers and has clocked nearly 10 million likes, showcasing her vast collection of Victorian and Edwardian clothing. “It’s interesting to imagine what people at the time really would have worn and looked like and how they would have interacted with their everyday objects,” she says. 

Thompson teaches her followers about the dress codes and traditions of the era, as well as shows step-by-step guides on how Victorian costumes are layered — the shoes first, of course. All while showcasing her wide collections of dresses and accessories — “my costumes have their own bedroom” — some dating as far back as the early 19th century. But while it may be fun to time travel digitally for online audiences, today’s Victorian fashion fans are also taking their styling to the streets, embodying the lifestyle and mindset of the Victorian era — with many, many twists. 

Named after England’s Queen Victoria, Victorian-era fashion is renowned for its elaborate corsets, petticoats, and bustles, with women’s style dominated by full skirts. Over the past two years, the era’s style has slowly penetrated modern-day fashion, thanks to shows like Netflix’s Bridgerton and the comeback of the Y2K-style corset. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with a preoccupation for nature and rural living as a form of escapism growing, new fashion aesthetics have emerged online, inspired by Victorian styling. Take cottagecore, for example, which romanticizes agricultural life through the use of prairie dresses and bustiers. 

@thesewloartist #historicalcostume #history #sewing #1895 #historical #victorian #sewing #fyp #historicalcostuming #victorianfashion #1890s ♬ Choking on Flowers – Fox Academy

Some Victorian fashion creators on TikTok are not interested in making the era’s style modern though. Margaret O’Neil, who goes by @costumeandconservation on TikTok, is a textile conservation student with a focus on historical costumes. In her videos, she puts on layers of crinolines, corsets, and skirts for her 32,000 followers. Since she first started collecting Victorian costumes, O’Neil has amassed an impressive selection of pieces, including a garment from 1800, her oldest to date. “I always joke that my wardrobe goes from 1820 to 2020,” she says, referring to how she uses vintage pieces as her everyday clothing. 

While she’s genuinely interested in the fashion of the time, O’Neil says that, for conservators, it’s also just one of the easiest periods in history to work with because there’s a lot of material available. That provides an opportunity for conservators to explore old sewing and material techniques. Take a gown from the 1860s, for which O’Neil had to sew an elliptical cage crinoline, a mid-19th century undergarment used to give volume to skirts, that requires hours of hand sewing. 

“It’s a super weird piece of clothing,” she says. “Even looking at the satirical prints of the time, they made fun of it.” When she donned the garment, O’Neil found herself unable to move around her Wilmington, Delaware apartment. “There’s a reason we abandoned this style,” she jokes.

@costumeandconservation Late 1860s Day Ensemble #historicalfashion #historicalcostuming #corset #victorian ♬ Waltz – Małgorzata Kulesza

While O’Neil opts for utmost historical accuracy, Thompson is “totally happy to incorporate different styles together”: “I don’t set out to make every single garment as perfectly accurate as I can, because that’s just not me.”

Likewise, creator Lauren Foster approaches Victorian fashion with a more interpretive spin. Based in Pennsylvania, Foster first started sharing videos on TikTok channeling the cottagecore aesthetic before becoming interested in historical costuming. Although she’s collected vintage clothing, Foster is focused on styling garments inspired by Victorian fashion which she gets from the online resale market, rather than wearing exact replicas of costumes from the time. “Most of the clothing that I’ve found is from the 1900s,” she says, referring to the Edwardian era.

Foster’s interest in 19th-century fashion also comes with a desire to break stereotypes in the white-dominated “-core” aesthetics communities. “There are not a lot of people of color in these aesthetics, and when they finally see someone that looks like them, who is not ashamed of putting that lifestyle out there, they really appreciate it,” she says.

As a mother of two living in rural Pennsylvania, she wants to educate others about the fashion and lifestyle of Victorian-inspired aesthetics in real life: “I’ve heard from so many people that they’re afraid of judgment over dressing a certain way or moving to a rural area because that can be dangerous as a Black person in America,” she says. “And they really appreciate that there is some sort of representation.” 

Mostly, Foster is having fun with the clothes she wears. Creating Victorian-inspired content has now become her full-time job, just a year after she first launched her Instagram and TikTok channels. On her account, @theenchantednoir, Foster can be seen wearing Victorian-inspired clothing in modern settings, staging photoshoots that channel the rural 19th-century aesthetic, and highlighting the stories of Black people during Queen Victoria’s time. 

“People are very shocked that there were Black Victorians at all,” she says. “I really feel blessed, honestly, that I’m getting to do something that I feel passionate about, but that’s also helping people in the process.”

@enchanted_noir Life’s too short to be worried about everyone else 🤍 #ootd #cottagecore #altgirl #victorianfashion #finallyhappy #wearwhatyouwant ♬ falling in love – 🙂

On TikTok, these creators welcome their followers to a world where time-traveling is just one corset away, should they embrace the style.

Every morning, Thompson sorts through her wardrobe, picking out a bodice and full skirt that might seem a better fit for the set of Bridgerton than a day of errands in Portland, Oregon. But she still marches outside, unafraid of the onlookers: “I never thought that I would have the opportunity to say this, but yes, this is my style, this is what I look like every day.”

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