Opera Gloves Are Casual Now, According to Celebrities

Opera gloves, at this point, are a bit of a misnomer. These days, celebrities and luxury brands are positioning the orthodox above-the-elbow accessory as the go-anywhere clothing type.

When interviewing designer Romeo Hunte at New York Fashion Week not long ago, he attended a hip-hop party in velvet and an oversized T-shirt. Other well-thought-out and effective outliers happened. For the 2020 Met Gala, actor Kodi Smit-McPhee wore a pair of red latex pants with crisp button-downs and stiff denim trousers (in a delightful Bottega Veneta Trompe l’oeil leather). As I was scrolling through my Instagram feed recently, I noticed more than a few models and influencers wearing opera gloves for a night out. It’s the perfect combination of chic and slutty.

The unlikely rise of opera gloves highlights how even the most traditionally dull and formal flourishes can embrace social media-friendly casualwear adaptations. Take model Gigi Hadid, for example. The Netflix star recently appeared on Good Morning America where she looked playful in a knitted sweater, which she paired with her knitted opera gloves (both from Valentino) And elegant for the perfect proposition. Or you can check out model Irina Shayk, who wore a pair of skinny velvet gloves under a baggy T-shirt to secure the loose silhouette.

Personally, I’m fascinated by how menswear designers are increasingly utilizing opera gloves – traditionally associated with womenswear – to add a contemporary softness and femininity. See also: Kim Jones’ strong spring collection for Dior menswear featuring lace opera gloves worn under pastel-hued suiting. But a string of recent series suggests the trend is accelerating. Luar wears a string of leather opera gloves under his company’s pinstripe suit for a American Psycho vibe. Rick Owens also made his opera gloves in distressed leather for his fall 2020 collection. I think we can all take a big cue from Kendall Jenner, who wore a pair of animal print gloves with matching lingerie. Lesson learned: Opera gloves are now not just for evenings out, but for evenings out.

Here are some of the best opera gloves for casual wear to date.

Kendall Jenner

Florence Pugh

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Steve Lacey

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