Basically Every Celebrity On A Red Carpet Is Wearing Opera Gloves, Fashion’s Favourite New Accessory

Just last week, we brought you news of an unexpectedly powerful new fashion trend – one which was born on the spring/summer catwalks and is now taking the red carpet by storm. It seems, however, that storm doesn't quite do the situation justice. For in the last week alone, seemingly every other celebrity tasked with walking on a red carpet has chosen a pair of opera gloves for the occasion.

Sure, Zoë Kravitz may have been one of the first to champion this new (old) accessory, wearing a long white pair with her peach Oscar de la Renta gown at the SAG Awards.

But then came the Grammy's, which saw Ariana Grande and Lizzo both wearing their own long gloves. Grande, in fact, wore two different pairs to match both her Giambattista Valli Haute Couture and Givenchy Haute Couture gowns.

Then, there was Blake Lively, making one of her first appearances since the birth of her third child, hitting the red carpet to promote her latest film The Rhythm Section. Dressed in a black, off-shoulder Dolce and Gabbana gown, Lively also wore a leather pair of gloves that disappeared underneath the sleeves of her dress.

But wait, there's more. Attending the Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn premiere in London, Margot Robbie wore a head-to-toe Dries Van Noten look from the SS20 catwalk. There, on each arm, worn with her feathered top and long black skirt, was a fuchsia glove, extending way past her elbows. And so it is official: opera gloves are back. And Audrey Hepburn would be pleased.

Indeed, before even Kravitz wore her gloves,Beyoncé wore a sheer pair to the Golden Globes, Janet Mock went embellished and exaggerated in Valentino haute couture for theCritics’ Choice Awardsand Bella Hadid wore an oversized and printed pair for the Dior Homme show in Paris.

At the Fashion Awards in December both Rihanna and Emma Roberts embraced this most underrated of accessories. And, as previously stated, they were big news on the SS20 catwalks: from Emilia Wickstead and Erdem’s elevated evening styles, to Gucci’s leather pair, lace gardening gloves at Dior and the printed offerings from New York’s cool kids Christopher John Rogers and Collina Strada.

Much of the appeal of gloves is in the mixed messages they give out; they can say whatever you want. Gloves are equal parts demure and dominatrix, innocence and experience, buttoned up formality and burlesque sensuality.

They are formal Regency dances and S&M clubs, Jackie Kennedy and Lady Gaga. And, come event season, they are also the easiest way to update last summer’s dresses; just imagine a slinky slip with elbow gloves, or a nipped in floral frock with a lace pair. Besides, just think – it’s much easier than breaking in a new pair of shoes.

SHOP: The Best Opera Gloves To Amp Up Any Outfit