As we start moving toward Easter, I reminisce about those special days from my childhood. The Easter season and Easter Sunday has always been important to me and my family. Some of my favorite childhood memories were at Eastertime. Mom always made my dress and my sister’s dress. Careful planning went into the entire outfit, not just the dress. Now, I find myself doing the same thing for my granddaughter and planning and making her outfit is something very special to me.
Our outfits always included white gloves for church. First and foremost, they covered up the stained fingers from dying eggs days before. But also, they just put a finishing touch on the outfit. I still have a few pairs that I love to pull out for special occasions. A beautiful leather or silk pair lends a special type of elegance to the wearer. Donning a pair of gloves makes me feel as glamorous as the Old Hollywood actresses I admire.
I asked Emma Reeves, our talented intern, to do a little research on gloves and she uncovered some wonderful information that I know you will enjoy.
The Glamour of Gloves by Emma Reeves
I’ve always admired the beauty and femininity of gloves, but I never knew where the trend originated until recently. They have been in existence since the Middle Ages, where they were used in various ceremonies. They were also given by a young lady to her suitor, pledged as a binding agreement, or thrown down as a challenge.
Gloves were especially popular with royalty. Queen Elizabeth I had more than 2,000 pairs in her personal collection. At weddings, gloves were often given as keepsakes to guests. The heyday for gloves in the United States came in the 1950s, especially through the influence of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. Various colors and patterns of gloves were suitable for everyday wear, but white gloves became primarily associated with formal occasions.
Many young girls wore white gloves to church, but there were other specific occasions for which they were appropriate. A brochure from Paris Gloves states that they should also be worn to luncheons, dances, weddings, theaters, restaurants, and formal occasions. However, a lady was cautioned to be careful to remove her accessory before eating, drinking, smoking, playing cards, or putting on makeup.
Do you have a special pair of gloves?
