Photos via NYMag.

Michelle will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 4

Styling: 4

Hair: 4

Makeup: 5

Pose: 5

Confidence: 5

Michelle looks angelic in this flow-y and elegant Tom Ford dress. I absolutely love her accessories – the sparkling earrings and clutch are perfection against the First Lady’s ivory frock. I love that she wore gloves; I might have done them just a bit shorter. But she looks fantastic and can do no wrong in this gown.

1. The Fur Coat (preferably over a bikini) – Fur is an absolute necessity come winter and it’s so warm that you can wear anything underneath it. So why not throw on your favorite maillot, two-piece or speedo to sex up that dead animal carcass draped around your shoulders. Or if that’s not your cup of vodka, there’s always the reliable fur bikini: the perfect melding of two disparate worlds into one completely unnecessary garment.

Raquel Welch, fur bikini pioneer

2. The Union Suit – This practical one-piece, usually intended as an undergarment, is easily translatable to chic outerwear. Just think of it as another fashion-forward jumpsuit with adjustable decolletage: you can unbutton to collarbone, ribcage or navel level. And if you’re feeling especially frisky, undo the butt flap to reveal something chic…or something cheek.

3. The Muff – Basically a giant portable sleeve, the muff is perfect for concealing a compact, a lipstick or my favorite accessory, a purse gun. It’s the lady’s way of smuggling contraband while keeping those murderous manicured nails warm and unchipped.

4. The Trapper Hat – While your hands look like they are covered by a pillow in a muff, your head can look like a family of raccoons made a nest then subsequently died on it with the irresistibly comfortable trapper hat.

5. The Cape - Capes aren’t just for vampires, superheroes and drag queens (my own personal superheroes) – they’re a sleeveless alternative to a boring old coat and come in a variety of shapes, lengths and materials. And also come in handy when pretending to be a vampire/superhero/drag queen…or the resulting combination, André Leon Talley.

6. The Cowl – The cowl is my preferred method of neck warmth, not that  I have anything against a scarf. After all, you can’t dramatically throw a cowl around your neck for a scene-stealing exit, but it’s charm is in its ease and functionality. Just slip your head through one end and burrow your way through to the other. It’s like birth without all that unpleasant vagina action.

7 . Opera Gloves – This last staple is for those strapless fancy nights on the town spent dancing, boozing and schmoozing, since no one goes to the opera anymore. Adorn them with bracelets, cuffs and whatever diamonds you can smuggle in your muff to ratchet up the glamour.

And there you have it. If you have at least some of these items in your closet, this winter might not seem as bleak nor chill as many bones. And if you need any more incentive, you’ll probably save a clutch purse of dough on Halloween.

Gloves are not just made to keep your hands warm during the winter months, they have been worn by women as fashion items since the 13th century. Gloves became a symbol of status depending on the amount of embellishment, and the trends that catch on are often catapulted to the mainstream by a music of film fashion icon.

The above gloves, from the 1600′s, showcase linen embroidery that was typical of the time. The knitted gloves to the right held less social standing then the embroidered ones on the left.

Most flapper costumes come complete with satin opera gloves, a confusing addition because flappers are most often seen with bare arms or light crocheted gloves which were popular during the 1920′s.

During the 1940′s, after the war was over, glamorous opera gloves came back into style. Opera gloves remain popular in editorials today.

During the early 60′s opera gloves were still popular due to Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Audrey Hepburn’s influence as a fashion icon. 60′s secretaries wore short white gloves along with their sweater sets, girdles and high heels (think Mad Men chic).

The punk movement in the late 70′s sparked the trend of fingerless studded gloves worn by both men and women as strictly a fashion item, regardless of the season. Rainbow style gloves were also popular, commenting on the trends of the time.

In the 80′s lace gloves were popularized by Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan. Fingerless gloves were also popular during this time. Thankfully the combination of these trends is mostly left to halloween costumes and 80′s theme parties.

Gloves in the new millennium have taken on many diverse styles. These Gucci gloves (left) from Fall 07 represent the constant use to embellished leather since the 70′s. Fingerless gloves have once again become popular, a trend we can attribute to the phenomenon of texting. Patricia Field’s gloves (right) are an example of how gloves have taken on a life of their own besides just keeping the wearer warm.

What do you think will be the next trend in gloves?