Friday Fashion: The Opera-Length Glove

Portrait by F.W. Baker, from my collection.

In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, gloves were an essential garment for both men and women. In fact, most people were encouraged to wear their gloves at all times—even in the home. During this era where the body was completely covered from the neck down for the sake of propriety, gloves served a variety of purposes. Though many like to consider the Victorian era to be a prudish time, really, the purpose of gloves was to keep the hands and arms clean from the soot and dirt in most cities. Opera-length gloves developed over time from the long gloves popular in women’s fashion of the early Seventeenth Century. As styles changed, so did the length of the gloves.


By the 1860’s gloves had become so form-fitting that a lady couldn’t button them without assistance. Considered ill form to be seen putting on or removing a glove in public, a lady would have her personal maid assist her in securing her gloves before leaving the house. Occasionally, the gloves were fingerless to allow for greater ease in daily tasks or the pursuit of the arts and music (fashionable and appropriate distractions for women of the time).

This detail from a portrait of a young woman by F.W. Baker dates from the mid 1870’s. Here, we can see the snugness of the gloves. This young lady is quite free. Her gloves have no fingers. Clearly, however, that’s because she’s about to play an instrument. We’re alerted to that fact by the sheet music in her hands. Though probably quite uncomfortable, these opera gloves were most assuredly elegant.