Gloves in the ballroom

One thing that most 19c etiquette books agree on is that one should wear white gloves in the ballroom. Some allow for white or light colored, some add the caveat that gloves are, of course, removed for eating.

The universal admonition can be attributed to the fact that it is clear and simple. Gloves. White gloves. As the publishers of etiquette manuals were plagarizing their little hearts out, they were all sure to pick up on the simple rule.