Gloves History and How to Avoid Buying a Pair of Low-quality Winter Gloves

For many years, some types of gloves, garments which cover hands by encasing every finger in leather or fabric have been to provide warmth and protection. However, they were never considered a fashion accessory until the 1500s.

History

During these years, famous women such as Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603) started wearing elbow length gloves as a part of formal clothing. Gloves then started becoming more and more popular and by the 1800s, they had become an important part of men’s and women’s wardrobe.

Styles grew modest as the century progressed. Dress sleeves became longer while gloves regarded a necessity for those women who dressed well became shorter. In the mid to late 1800s, women wore gloves that were wrist length long during the day even when they were inside their houses.

Because of the fact that evening dress sleeves were shorter, women had to wear longer gloves so that their arms would be covered modestly. It was unladylike for ladies to put on or remove her gloves in public. In the 19th century, gloves became an important part of men’s wardrobe and were worn at every social event.

Well-dressed men of the late 1800s never removed their gloves whether relaxing at home or dancing at a ball. Buying winter gloves can be surprisingly rewarding. Leather driving gloves and leather shooting gloves are the most popular for practical reasons. Those who fear that they may lose a finger because of cheap, inadequately lined gloves understand the euphoria of wearing gloves that keep their hands toasty warm.

Choose a brand that offers half sizes

It can be difficult to know how well a pair of gloves will fit or how it is made just by looking at it. The only way to tell whether gloves are of good quality or not is by wearing them for about a week or two. Poorly made gloves often have too much elasticity and sag on your hand.

You will have to work hard the first time you wear them and after that, they will conform to your hand after wearing them for some time. We offer half sizes in most of our gloves. We even provide quarter sizes in our unlined peccary gloves to ensure that our customers get the perfect fit.

Purchase at least two pairs so that you can alternate

Anything made of natural materials such as cashmere and leather needs rest between wears. If not, the materials will wear out faster. A good example of this is a dress shoe with a leather sole. When the leather sole is wet or damp, it will wear out faster if the wearer keeps wearing them. Therefore, it is good that a guy has a minimum of two pairs of gloves to alternate between.

Choose a lining that will fit your climate or purchase all three

A good glove wardrobe should have cashmere or wool lined gloves, unlined gloves, and fur-lined gloves. Unlined gloves are ideal for above 32F, cashmere lined ones work down to 17F while fur lined ones are ideal for those in places colder than that. It also depends on whether you are a warm or cold person and if you usually spend more time outdoors.

Keep in mind that quality, warmest linings are usually more delicate. Cheaper gloves usually have wool-polyester mix or polyester-fleece lining. These materials last longer than wool or cashmere. However, the quality test is not how long the lining of a pair of gloves will last but how fine the cashmere or wool is. Even though a wool or cashmere lining can wear out after two seasons, they are usually more comfortable and warmer than other materials.

Buy your gloves from brands that take leather seriously

Paying more for a pair of gloves means that you will get quality leathers and materials. Our higher price enables us to offer good working conditions in our factories. It also enables us to have quality inspections at each and every step of the production process.

My cousin, my father, or I personally inspect each and every shipment of leathers before they are transported to the factories. At the factories, another quality inspection is usually done before cutting them.