How to Start a Vintage Glove Collection

As early as 1773, newspaper ads proclaimed the beauty and propriety of this oft-times costume necessity, offering hand-stitched silk selections in a range of colors, which included crimson, purple, blue, black, white, and a peculiar hue known as “cloth-color”. Vintage examples from the 1950s and 1960s are equally colorful. Fanciful embellishments like embroidery, rhinestones, buttons, and even feathers add charm to this mid-twentieth century relic. We have Dior to thank for the plethora of multi-colored “shorties” languishing in antique stores and flea markets today. The wrist-length glove was an integral component of his “New Look” designs which were introduced to the public in 1947.

A Time Line of Treasures:

1847-1901: Look for wire glove stretchers and gloves embellished with lace, swan’s-down, beading or ribbon work. Collectors who hanker after Victoriana will be delighted with rarer doeskin, suede, and silk examples ornamented with paillettes, gold and silver embroidery, jeweled buttons, or monograms.
1901-1920: Look for finely embroidered suede and silk examples as well as washable kid, outdoor gloves.
1920s: Short gloves in silk, lace, or kid leather from this period can still be found in abundance.
1930s: Art deco anyone? Gloves from this era feature contrast color insertions, wrist straps, and gauntlet cuffs. Many were matched to hats, scarves or handbags.
1940s: Look for cut-work, bold colors, and dramatic styling.
1950s: Ruched gloves in cotton or nylon can be found in abundance, as can the fingerless satin examples worn by mid-century brides. Opera gloves in cotton and man-made fibers also hail from this decade.
1960s: Relics of the 60s are varied and plentiful. Even the white, shortie gloves considered socially required day-wear until about 1965, differ greatly in style, fabrication, and embellishment.

Labels to look for:

Vintage gloves add authenticity to a period costume. They are a fun and inexpensive way to build a colorful textile and or vintage fashion collection. As you search through thrift store bins and flea market stalls, keep an eye out for the following:

Dent’s Gloves: Founded by John Dent in 1777, this British company has continually produced high quality gloves since the reign of King George III. The firm produced gloves for Queen Victoria, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II, whose Spanish leather Coronation gloves embroidered with pure gold thread, were presented to her on a velvet cushion.

Dorothy Gaspar makes gloves for rock stars, the silver screen, and the general public, spending up to two days hand-cutting and stitching her leather creations. Gaspar learned the skill from the family business, established by her grandfather in Budapest c.1890.

The Trefousse company established a leather glove factory in 1829 at Chaumont, France, which at one time produced 100,000 pair of gloves annually.

The French firm Causse is known for their ability to tan lambskin, stag, python, ostrich, and other leathers until they fit like a second skin.

Canadian and American examples (Paris & Kayser) can often be found in their original packaging. The plastic sleeves which bear advertising images from decades ago, add value to the gloves.

Display Tips

• Arrange 1950s and 60s examples by color for a rainbow effect.
• Display with hats, shoes, and handbags from the same era.
• Store in vintage glove cases —leather envelope styles from the Victorian era, or quilted vinyl boxes manufactured at mid-century for this purpose.
• Hang from glove stretchers or exhibit on a mannequin hand to decorate a bedroom vanity.
• Shadow box a single glove against a coordinating fabric remnant or vintage glove advertisement.
• Pair early kid gloves and a button hook with opera glasses, a stack of rare books, or a collection of snuff boxes for a nostalgic table display.

Over the years, many social imperatives surrounded the wearing of gloves. A dictionary of etiquette c.1900 instructed readers, “Gloves should be worn by a lady when out walking or driving, at tea, dances, balls, dinner parties, the opera, or theatre. Men should wear gloves in the street or at a ball, when playing a call, driving, riding, and in the church.” During the twentieth century, glove protocol was closely associated with sleeve length and social setting.

The Mobile Millinery Museum is home to several hundred vintage and antique gloves. For more on vintage costume and accessories, see the following books: