Edmond O'Brien (left) and Grace Kelly [Photo/Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive]

Let's start with a fairy tale. Once upon a time, there was a woman who had a magical wooden box, carefully stored in her wardrobe. If you had the chance to open it, you could smell a delicate perfume of musk and discover numerous treasures made of leather and silk – her collection of gloves. She had one pair for each hour of the day – long ones, short ones, pale pink to deep black, embroidered or not. They were so tight that she had to put some talc on her fingers before slipping them in. But once she was gloved, every gesture she made was like a caress. No one could resist the fascinating power of her hands.

Too good to be true? This was the elegant woman's daily routine before the 1930s, when gloves were a staple of the feminine wardrobe. "Back in the days, women possessed 15 pairs of gloves and they took care of them in order to wear them as long as possible," explains Olivier Causse of French glovemaker Maison Causse. Indeed, they were kept safe from the sun in a dedicated box; the leather was regularly nourished and, obviously, they weren't meant to be crushed in a woman's handbag. "Today, gloves are considered to be more of a fashion accessory, worn for a season or two," says Causse. "Still, we love to manufacture them the way my ancestors did for more than 120 years: made to last."

Baby, you can drive my car

Gloves have always been a must-have for drivers, whether holding the reins of a horse-drawn carriage or sitting behind the wheel of a modern automobile. Open on the top and made of hole-punched leather, driving gloves are designed to keep the hands dry and fresh. "People who love cars and have the chance to drive a nice one know the unique sensation of driving gloves," says Causse. "They offer comfort and protection, and give a better grip. To grasp the wheel with gloved hands is definitely part of a luxurious driving experience."

Even if you don't drive an expensive racing car every day, be sure they'll make you feel – and look – like the reincarnation of Gatsby. And after your ride, don't forget to stash them in the glove compartment, or they may be stolen by unscrupulous passengers…