Quick answer: opera glove etiquette comes down to one rule: long gloves stay on for arriving, greeting, dancing and photographs, and come off to eat. Take them off before you sit down at the table, fold them and keep them in your lap or your bag, never on the table. Rings are worn under the glove; a bracelet may be worn over it.
Last updated: 27 October 2026
Opera glove etiquette is older than most of the dress codes that still call for it, and every rule has a practical reason. This guide comes from NM Gloves, a leather-glove workshop in Târgu Mureș, Romania, where gloves have been made since 1925 and where we make silk-lined leather opera gloves for galas, weddings and black-tie evenings.
What are the basic rules of opera glove etiquette?
Long gloves are part of the outfit, not a coat to take off at the door. They go on before you arrive and come off only where they would get in the way or be stained: food, water and make-up.
| Moment | Gloves | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Arriving, receiving line, greeting | On | They are part of the outfit; a gloved handshake is correct at a formal event |
| Ceremony and photographs | On | The line of the arm is the reason for wearing them |
| Dancing | On | Traditionally always kept on |
| A drink before dinner, standing | On or off | Either is accepted; take them off if you will also be eating canapés |
| Dinner | Off | Taken off before you sit down, kept in your lap or bag |
| Touching up make-up, washing hands | Off | Leather and silk mark easily |
When should you take opera gloves off?
To eat. Take them off before you sit down at the table rather than at it, fold them in half with the lining inside, and keep them in your lap under the napkin or in your evening bag. Never lay them on the table. If the evening carries on with dancing, put them back on after the meal.
How do you put on and take off long leather gloves?
Slowly, and never by the top edge, where long gloves stretch out of shape most easily.
- Putting them on: gather the glove down to the hand, work the fingers in one at a time until the leather sits at the base of each finger, then the thumb. Only then ease the length up the arm in small movements with the flat of the other hand. A silk lining, as on ours, helps the leather slide instead of gripping the skin.
- Taking them off: fold the top edge down to the wrist so the glove turns inside out, loosen each fingertip in turn, and draw the hand out. Turn it right side out and smooth it flat.
Some opera gloves have a buttoned wrist opening, a mousquetaire, so the hand can slip out while the glove stays on the arm. Without one, take them off completely.
Rings and bracelets: over or under the glove?
Rings go under the glove, never over it. The usual exception is a wedding, where many brides wear the engagement ring over the glove so it can be seen. A bracelet is the one piece of jewellery traditionally worn on top of a long glove, at the wrist or above it.
Which dress and colour go with opera gloves?
The shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove. Opera length belongs with sleeveless or strapless dresses, because a long glove is meant to be the sleeve; we explain where each length ends in glove lengths explained.
White and ivory are the traditional colours for weddings and the most formal evenings. Black is classic with dark or strongly coloured gowns, rather than with pale ones. Our women's long leather gloves come in black, red, cognac, burgundy and bridal white, with 35 colours available on request. For a wedding, send us a fabric swatch and we will match it; see our white opera gloves for brides.
Do men wear opera gloves?
Rarely, and only where a dress code asks for them: formal evening dress, ceremonial and uniform wear. If the invitation does not mention gloves, they are probably not expected. Ours for men are the same 40–42 cm from the base of the thumb, silk lined, in sizes 7.5 to 10; see men's long leather gloves.
How should opera gloves fit?
Close at the hand and smooth along the arm. Your size comes from your hand, measured around the knuckles with the thumb left out: 6.5 to 8.5 for women. Ours measure 40–42 cm from the base of the thumb. If you want the glove to end elsewhere, or the top edge would not sit well on your arm, we make the pair to your measurements: up to five days in the workshop, 8–12 days in total within the EU.
Frequently asked questions
Do you keep opera gloves on to drink?
Standing with a glass before dinner, you may keep them on or take them off. At the dinner table they are already off.
Do you shake hands with opera gloves on?
Yes. At a formal event, long gloves stay on for greetings, introductions and the receiving line.
Can I return opera gloves?
Ready-made gloves can be returned within 30 days of delivery, unworn. Pairs made to your measurements cannot be returned, which is why we check the size and length with you first.
Not sure which length or colour suits the dress? Write to us, at info@nmgloves.com or +40 754 301 994. Free shipping across the European Union, delivered in 3–7 days.