From Beyoncé to Bridgerton, inside the opera glove trend: why celebs from Dua Lipa to Kate Middleton, and brands from Valentino to Schiaparelli, are embracing the regal glamour of ye olde aristocracy

Oct 3 , 2023

Note the opera gloves, as Beyoncé claims a Grammy for her Renaissance album at the 65th Grammy Awards in February. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Beyoncé nailed it when she collected her 6 Grammys in leather opera gloves earlier this year – but A-listers from Gigi Hadid and Dua Lipa to Victoria Beckham and Kate Middleton have also aped the trend

A sign of status for 15th century aristocrats, dramatic elbow-length gloves sparkled in Hollywood thanks to Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn – today haute couture is bringing them to the runways

Be it due to the Regency-era set TV blockbuster Bridgerton or Beyoncé, opera gloves continue to be the high-drama fashion trend of 2023.

Beyoncé, who wore a leather version to the Grammys, isn’t the only celebrity to don a pair of elbow-length gloves. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, wore black velvet opera gloves with her one-shouldered Alexander McQueen dress on the 2023 Baftas red carpet and Dua Lipa wore them as part of her Future Nostalgia tour. Meanwhile model Gigi Hadid proved the style isn’t just for the evening, pairing a Valentino grey short sleeve knit with matching gloves for a recent appearance on Good Morning America.

Gigi Hadid is seen arriving at the Good Morning America earlier this year – in long opera-style gloves. Photo: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Opera gloves have been all over recent runways too, adding texture, quirk and elegance. There were latex ones juxtaposed with draped chiffon at Victoria Beckham and sultry black lace versions at Dolce & Gabbana and Versace spring/summer 2023. Dramatic silk and embellished versions were also spied at the likes of Schiaparelli, Thom Browne, Balenciaga and Valentino on the most recent haute couture runways.

Glamorous opera gloves or elbow-length gloves, worn mostly for the evening, have been around since the 15th century. Queen Elizabeth I was said to be a fan and the style was worn as a sign of wealth and status.

Opera gloves were conspicuous on the runway for Valentino’s autumn/winter 2023 haute couture show. Photo: Handout

Arguably nobody wore them better than Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes or Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Former first lady and ultimate style icon Jacqueline Kennedy was also a prolific sporter of the sartorial statement, donning long white gloves to JFK’s presidential inauguration, at formal balls and for many White House occasions.

Kathryn Eisman, host of the fashion reality TV series Undressed and founder of hosiery, sock and glove brand High Heel Jungle, says opera gloves, which particularly took off during and post the global pandemic, are a reaction to times of disruption.

Opera Gloves from High Heel Jungle. Photo: Handout