Long gloves are such a blast from the past! Reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and other classy ladies from the past, we usually associate long gloves with formal attire and evening gowns. Lucky for fans of the style, that’s not the case anymore! Read more for different styles of long gloves, how to wear long gloves and affordable finds.


Long gloves first made a comeback last fall and winter. They were all over the runways and celebrities accessorized with them as well. They weren’t so prolific on the street scene, though. Retailers carried them, but mostly just in the designer variety.
This year, long gloves are everywhere! Almost every discount shop has them. And, of course, the designer variety is still available as well.

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)