Varieties of Long Gloves

Arm Warmers

Like the name suggests, arm warmers are the upper body’s version of the leg warmer. Arm warmers do not have finger holes. They might have a loop to hook your thumb through, but most do not. You can wear them over your wrists or scrunched up a bit on your arms.

Fingerless Long Gloves

Not to be confused with arm warmers, fingerless long gloves DO have finger holes. But, the glove stops there. This style is SO eighties and is either fun or tacky, depending on your perception. It takes a certain kind of style to pull these off.

Formal Long Gloves

You know what these are. These are what you think of when you think of long gloves. They’re the kind you wore to prom or that wedding you went to in the mid 90’s. They’re what Audrey sported in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Formal Long Gloves are usually made of a silky material. They’re quite fitted and ultra feminine.

Knit Long Gloves

Arm warmers and fingerless long gloves fall into this category as well. But, there are also long gloves that are basically a long version of your basic winter glove. These are great paired with cropped coats. Or, if your outfit includes a 3/4 sleeve, short sleeve or no sleeve, wear a pair of these gloves to make your outfit a bit warmer (even if you layer a coat on top).

How to Wear Long Gloves

Long Gloves add new possibilities to your wardrobe because you can wear many of your warmer weather clothes if they’re paired with long gloves.

Add Some Color

To add some color to your look, wear a contrasting pair of gloves with your outfit. This will draw attention to your accessory choice and add some interest to your look.

Add An Interesting Pattern or Texture

There are tons of fun long gloves to choose from. Wear a pair of houndstooth patterned gloves with your solid top to add a different aspect to your look. Or, choose a cable knit pair to add a bit of texture.

Go Monochromatic

Wearing gloves that are the same color as the rest of your outfit lengthens your lines and adds new options to your wardrobe.

Scrunch It!

You don’t have to wear your long gloves pulled all the way up to your elbows! Scrunch your gloves depending on your top or just because. This can make it seem like you have more than one pair of gloves to accessorize with!

Wearing Long Gloves with Shirts

Wear long gloves with 3/4 sleeve shirts or sleeveless shirts. Short sleeve shirts and long gloves don’t mix as easily. Leaving just a little bit of arm showing looks a tad bit odd.
But, leaving the elbow to the shoulder bare is the classic look. And, pairing your gloves with a 3/4 sleeve shirt creates a covered look that is more interesting than just a long sleeve. It also allows your gloves to be seen!

Wearing Long Gloves with Dresses

The best type of dress to wear long gloves with is a sleeveless dress. Take Audrey’s example. You can also wear long gloves with a strapless gown. This warms up your LBD for the winter months and makes your cocktail dress a more reasonable option.

Stylish Finds

Arm Warmer ($10.99), Angelina Crochet Glove ($14.50), Long Gloves ($14.99), Contrast Cuff Leather Glove ($130.00), Cashmere Blend Ribbed Glove ($49.00), Color Block Cashmere Blend Glove ($59.00), Long Fingerless Cashmere Gloves ($35.90), Long Fingerless Gloves ($28.00)

How to Buy Accessories

1. Determine your price limit
Before you go shopping, determine how much you plan to spend. As you’re shopping, you might find the perfect accessory that falls right at your limit. Or, you might find a few things that add up to your limit. The important thing is to stop buying accessories once you’ve hit your limit.
2. Consider Style
Find something that will complement your friend’s style. The best accessories are ones that can be worn with many different outfits. You don’t want your gift to end up in the back of a closet!
3. Choose Complementing Accessories
If you buy more than one accessory, choose pieces that go together. This helps give your gift a theme and prevents it from looking too hodgepodge.

Great Accessory Gift Ideas

Scarves, Hats and Gloves

These warm gift options would be great given separately or together. Each piece is accented with a super cute rosette. Beanie ($14.50), Scarf ($19.50) and Gloves ($12.50) from dELiAs.

Here are a few more cold weather items. I’m loving the long glove phenomenon…particularly the fingerless variety.
Zig Zag Colored Scarf ($19.99), Long Gloves ($20.00), Long Fingerless Gloves ($28.00)

Jewelry

Jewelry is always a good idea. You can get quite a few inexpensive pieces that go together. Or, you can opt for something a bit pricier and give it alone. The ’sentimental necklace’ pictured above is just one example of the necklaces dogeared offers. There is also a necklace for ’sister’, ‘best mom’, peace’, ‘daughter’, etc.
Metallic Bangles ($4.00), Pull Through Earrings ($20.40), Sentimental Necklace ($68.00)

Purses

Purses are fun and a great bang for your buck. Clutches and wallets are perfect gifts for the trendy gals in your life.
Grab Handle Clutch ($14.00), Patent Kisslock Clutch ($16.99), Ruched Wallet ($8.99)

Runway Inspiration

These berets are of the traditional wool variety. What we can tell from these pictures is the importance of framing the face when wearing a beret. Notice how the Donna Karan model’s is tilted slightly to the side to help frame the face. The Vera Wang model’s side braid works to make up for the centered beret. All of these berets match the outfits worn by the models. When we look at celebrity berets, we’ll see them used as more of an eye-catching accessory.
Shown: Hermes, Donna Karan, Vera Wang

Celebrity Inspiration

Notice how Mary Kate and Fergie both wear their knit beret on the back of their heads. This is the most popular way to wear the beret. Rihanna wears hers a bit more functionally (though that wasn’t her intent) with it covering more of her head. In each of these examples, the beret is a major focal point of the outfit.
Shown: Mary Kate, Fergie, Rihanna

How to Wear a Beret

Until recently, I never really liked berets. I always thought they looked a bit pretentious and a lot goofy. I realized, though, that what I didn’t like was the way they were being worn. There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to wear a beret.
1. Frame your face
Do NOT pull your hair back into your beret. You’ll look completely goofy! Frame your face by leaving your hair down and placing the beret an inch or so past your hairline. If you want to cover your head more, make sure you have some bangs or a few strands around your face pulled out.
2. Wear it slouchy
Don’t pull the beret tightly over your head. If you want to wear the hat like that, just wear a knit cap instead. Leave the beret slouchy and loose. Tilt it back on your head or slightly to the side and let gravity do the rest.
3. Start with a knit beret
Haven’t worn a beret before? Aren’t sure if the look’s right for you? Try a knit beret first. Knit berets (like Mary Kate’s and Fergie’s) are less stiff and are more likely to lay the way you expect.

Stylish Finds

Berets Under $20

Shown: Brynn Chunky Knit Beret ($14.50), Angelina Crochet Beanie ($14.50), Cable Knit Beret ($10.99), Metallic Knit Beret ($8.99), Sequin Beret ($12.99)

A little bit more…

Shown: Chunky Knit Beret ($29.50), Knit Beret ($29.50), Wool Beret ($28.00), Starlite Knit Beret ($28.90)