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)

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)

How to Wear a Sweater Dress

The sweater dress can be worn a variety of ways.


Tights: It looks great with tights, but can also be worn with bare legs. If the dress is a neutral color, you can opt for colorful tights to add some pizazz or wear the same color tights for a more sophisticated look.


Belts: If your dress is a bit chunky, add some definition to your look with a belt around your natural waist.


Under: Feel like the dress is clinging to curves you’d rather not show? Wear a slip and Spanx underneath.


Shoes: Wear heels for a sexier, more demure look. Peep-toes, stilettos, chunky heels with t-straps…pretty much anything is a go. For a fabulous look, match the dress, tights and heels.
Boots are also a good idea. For a more casual look, wear a pair of flat riding boots. Or, you can spice things up with tall heeled boots.
A sweater dress is the perfect outfit to pair with ankle boots. Remember the leg advice: if you have short legs, choose a pair of tights that matches the color of your boots.


Other accessories: Scarves are a great addition to a sweater dress. Chunky jewelry and statement pieces are also nice.
Layering a belted cardigan adds a bit more warmth and creates a different silhouette.

The Sweater Dress at the Office

Wear your dress with a pair of tights that are either the same color as the dress or a neutral opaque. Pair with heels that match the dress and/or the tights. Belt at your natural waist with a skinny patent belt. Accessorize with a statement necklace and earrings. If you need an extra layer, top with a trench coat.

The Sweater Dress at the Pub

Wear with a pair of textured or patterned tights and either tall heeled boots or ankle boots. Choose a belt that matches your boots. Wide or skinny will work here. Accessorize with chunky bracelets and earrings. If you’ll be pub crawling, add an interesting scarf.

The Sweater Dress with Cocktails

The office look can work here, too. Keep the look feminine and sophisticated by choosing appropriate shoes (heels), jewelry (stay away from chunky) and tights (neutral or the same color).

The Sweater Dress on the Weekend

Here’s where you can break out the riding boots, the equestrian belt and neutral opaque tights.

Stylish Finds

Under $40

Shown: Sweater Dress ($32.99), Cable Knit Sweater Dress ($24.99), Sweater Dress ($22.99)

Under $50

Shown: Ribbed Yoke Sweater Dress ($49.99), Gretchen Sweater Dress ($44.50), Miriam Sweater Dress ($44.50)

Under $70

Shown: Cowlneck Sweater Dress ($68), Rubbish Cabled Sweater ($54.00), Eliza J Sweater Dress ($68.90)

Under $100

Shown: Cable Sweater Dress ($78), Donna Morgan Ribbed Sweater Dress ($93.90), Maggy London Cowlneck Sweater Dress ($81.90)

Let me start this post by first distinguishing between ankle boots and booties. Many people and stores are using the terms interchangeably, creating a lot of confusion.
The difference is in how tall they are. Ankle boots usually stop at the top of the ankle while booties only go to the top of the foot.
Ankle boots are almost always closed-toed while booties often have peep-toes.
They are both trendy this season, but should be worn in very different ways. That’s why it’s important to put them in their own categories.


For how to wear booties, read one of these posts: Fall 2008 Fashion Trend: Booties or Boot Trends for Fall 2008.


Read on for how to wear ankle boots.

Celebrity Inspiration

(Images from InStyle.com)
Notice how Catherine Zeta-Jones and Lindsay Lohan pair their ankle boots with tights in the same color. This helps to lengthen the appearance of their legs. Rihanna and Sandra Bullock’s boots are contrasting and make their legs appear shorter. This is fine for them because they’re both tall. If you’re short, go for the lengthening look.

So Many to Choose From…

Ankle Boots Under $40

Shown: Nicole Tailored Boot ($24.99), Tripp Tailored Boot ($19.99), Sienna Tailored Boot ($37.99)

Ankle Boots Under $100

Shown: Type Z I Can ($89), Bullboxer Slouch Boot ($59.50), Sole Marty Boot ($49.50)

Ankle Boots Under $200

Shown: Fitzwell Rina ($119), Dolce Vita ($129.95), Jessica Simpson Saldro ($148.95)

Your Ideas…

What do you think of the ankle boot style?