Guide to Choosing Your Bridal Gloves

Accessories add that extra oomph to a bride's attire, so it's important you choose each piece carefully and make sure it complements not only your gown but also your overall look. Bridal gloves are a popular addition to an ensemble, but it can get a little tricky when choosing the type, material, and length. Ultimately, it's important they don't clash with the design and style of your gown, but there are other considerations you need to think about. For starters, consider the following.

What Length Should You Opt For?

Bridal gloves come in several types, according to length - from short one-button styles, to 16-button opera styles that reach way past the elbows. The rule of thumb for choosing the length is the shorter the sleeve, the longer the style of hand wear. This is why opera styles go so elegantly with strapless gowns, while elbow length sleeved dresses look better with one-button styles. When considering the length, try on several types to find exactly what complements your particular gown. The length is also traditionally an indicator of how formal the event is, so you'll need to factor that in as well. Ultimately, however, your choice will depend on the look of the gown and the overall theme of your wedding.

Which Style Should You Choose?

Just like other accessories, bridal gloves come in different styles and material. Naturally, you should apply the contrast principle again: if your gown has a lot of details, opt for plain one, and if your gown is simpler, that's when you could have more fun with your hand wear. Moreover, matching with your gown doesn't necessarily mean using the same exact fabric, especially if your dress is a combination of different types of fabric. The important thing is that the texture and the colours should match or complement. For instance, if you're wearing a silk gown, satin or lace hand wear may be considered.

Should You Go Fingerless or Not?

Possibly one of the most important and generally forgotten considerations is that brides need to take off their hand wear during the exchange of wedding rings. If you decide on wearing a 20-button opera style this can sometimes prove difficult. This is where additional factors kick in. Are your bridal gloves too fitted to remove efficiently? Is the fabric too expensive for you to cut a slit along the wedding finger to slip in the ring? Or is it better to wear a fingerless style? Remember, you'll need to remove hand wear during the reception as well, especially while eating, and it takes practice to know the etiquette that goes along with donning hand wear.

Looking for couture bridal gowns? Tatiana Porembova is one of the leading London designers for bridal wear and accessories, including bridal gloves, and her work spans a range of styles and influences. Based in Richmond, she creates beautiful bespoke wedding attire to provide the perfect garments for the perfect day.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.