What are gloves?

Gloves are an amazing item. The same word is used to describe both models made from the finest satin and incredibly durable, as well as very heavy products for boxers. Almost their only common feature is that they are worn on the hand. What are they for and what is their origin?

What kind of wardrobe item are gloves?

This is a multi-functional hand wear. It differs from mittens by separating the fingers - each has its own “case”.

Where did they come from? Who invented them?

The prototype of modern gloves was born in Ancient Egypt. The accessory was the prerogative of the pharaohs and the nobility close to them. Through it they emphasized their status, greatness and financial well-being.

The ancient Greeks also resorted to gloves, but not to exalt themselves. In ancient times, people discovered the protective properties of clothing worn on their hands. They began to wear it when doing work, including around the house.The Romans went further and began eating with gloves. Thus, they took care of the cleanliness of their hands and protected them from burns.

Well, the peak of popularity of gloves occurred in the Middle Ages. The number of classes that could afford the accessory increased. New ways to use it have emerged. For example, it became an identifying mark of certain categories of citizens (for example, representatives of knightly orders and confessors), a way to show their favor to a man, as well as a silent challenge to a duel.

Important! Elongated evening models appeared in the 16th century. Before this, no one was particularly concerned about length issues.

The next significant moment in the history of gloves: mechanical cutting. This happened in the 30th year of the XIX century. Founder of the technology: Xavier Juvin. Well, leather goods appeared in 1911 thanks to Dante Trussardi.

Same thing the word "gloves" comes from the Russian word "finger". This is an obsolete form of the word "finger".

How are gloves sewn?

There is a universal adult size chart. It was created back in the 19th century. Author: Xavier Juvin. It was he who came up with the idea of ​​starting from the girth of the palm when making gloves.

The thing itself consists of at least 3-4 elements. These are the front part, the back part and the “case” for the thumb. Additionally, there may be a lining, a wrist lock, a zipper and decor. Sometimes gloves are sewn using patchwork technology. The number of parts with this approach can be any. There are models - mostly warm, made of leather and fur - in which the sides of each finger are made of a separate piece of material.

Is it clothing or an accessory?

The item has signs of both clothing and accessories. To define a specific pair, find out its functions. If gloves in a certain situation serve to decorate or complement an outfit, or act as an identification mark, then they should be called an accessory.

Important! If you are in doubt about the correct name for gloves or which group to classify them in, then use the neutrally colored option “haberdashery” or “haberdashery”. Models made of leather are called leather goods.

Gloves worn to protect against the cold are, first and foremost, clothing. It serves not so much as an addition, but acts as an independent wardrobe unit.

Why are gloves needed?

They protect the skin of your hands from chapping and prolong its youth. They keep you warm and prevent precipitation from harming you. Some of them additionally carry an aesthetic element: they complement the image, emphasize the grace of the hands and the beauty of the bracelets (if they are worn on top). Others help avoid injuries, burns and infections - such loads are carried by sports, work, garden and medical products.

Types of gloves

There is a gender and age division. Based on these characteristics, adult and children's products, men's and women's accessories are distinguished. Further material is most often taken into account. Products are made from both natural and artificial materials. There are also combined options.

Don't forget also about seasonality. There is a common misconception that gloves used outdoors are exclusively a demi-season and winter attribute. In fact, the market is full of summer models. They are made from guipure, the finest leather and satin. Without them, motor vehicle owners cannot drive and some categories of amateur and professional athletes do not train.For example, gloves are included in the list of mandatory equipment for riders - people who devote themselves to equestrian sports.

By style

The variety of options can be combined into 4 large groups:

• standard length models (classic variation, covers the hand, fingers and wrist);
• elongated products (can end at or above the elbow);
• shortened (end at the point where the wrist begins);
• mitts (fingerless model).

An accessory with open fingers is often used by people in certain circles: motorcyclists, rockers and salesmen. The gloves are comfortable because they allow you to feel the steering wheel and make gentle movements with your fingertips.. For example, recalculating money or pressing buttons in a car.

Important! Mittens are convenient because they can be used to wear manicures of any length and type. Even with complex applications of stones and rhinestones.

By purpose

1. Car gloves. Multifunctional accessory for car enthusiasts. Its main function is to ensure security. It reduces the slippage of the steering wheel in your hand by absorbing sweat and rough surfaces. Car gloves also perform a standard warming function. Moreover, for ease of use, they are often made without fingers or with folding fingertips. This design allows you to handle small buttons without any difficulty. Important! The material from which products for drivers are made is less smooth than leather. Therefore, driving with car gloves is much easier and safer.
2. Medical gloves. Perform a protective function in relation to medical staff and the patient. Prevents infection and helps maintain sterility. Made from latex and rubber.
3. Touch gloves. Designed to work with touch gadgets.Allows you to contact the screen in the cold without exposing your hands.
4. Wedding. The bride's accessory, the finishing touch to the look. The appropriateness of the product is questioned over and over again, but most designers are in no hurry to abandon it, since it allows you to highlight the beauty of your hands and serves as an excellent basis for a themed wedding. So, with it it’s easy to create a set in retro style.
5. Everyday. Designed for daily wear. Durable, wearable, comfortable.
6. Evening. Very thin and light, they look neat and have an aesthetic function.
7. Workers. A mandatory element of the uniform and work uniform of medical, scientific, and chemical specialists. They can be either very thick or very thin. An example of the last option: gloves for doctors, cosmetologists, nurses.
8. Household. Wear during cleaning, gardening, and car repairs.

By material

Unrivaled leather. The skins of the following animals are used for gloves:

1. Lamb (animal age: up to a year). The result is an elastic, thin and soft material. It is used in the production of expensive luxury products.
2. Boar (wild). After tanning, 2 types of glove leather come out: peccary and carpincho. The first comes with a smooth surface, the second is a type of suede, very expensive, soft, durable and elastic.
3. Pigs. Thick, rough raw materials. Ideal for very warm winter gloves with fur.
4. Baby goat. Compared to lamb, it loses, but is also a high-quality and convenient option.
5. Deer. A material with a unique structure and natural pattern. Although it is thick, things made from it, due to its excellent softness, look beautiful and neat.
6. Exotic options include raw materials obtained from ostriches, fish, capybaras, pythons, and crocodiles. By definition, a product made from them cannot be cheap.. This is a status item that is worn not for warmth, but to demonstrate one’s status and meet famous designers.

Important! The gloves are made from the same leather as the bags, but more carefully crafted. The raw materials are much thinner, softer and more elastic. The effect is achieved without loss of quality, strength and wear.

In addition to leather, leatherette, fabric, rubber, wool, latex, and fur are used. Wool and fabric gloves can be made from either one type of fiber or several.

Features of choosing gloves

Parameters to pay attention to:

Size

To determine it you will have to take measurements. Points for applying the centimeter: the bone of the little finger and the notch between the thumb and index finger. The resulting value must then be checked against the universal size table. This will significantly reduce the search circle, but it will still not be possible to avoid trying on.

Wearing gloves in the store pay attention to the degree of fit of the arm. The property should be more pronounced if we are talking about a product made of leather or leatherette. Materials are prone to wear and tear. For this reason, you need to purchase products approximately 0.5 sizes smaller than required or indicated in the summary table.

Cut

The more inserts and seams, the faster the model wears out and the worse it will keep you warm in extreme cold. Important! Seams are a source of heat loss. Make sure they are secure and level. Glued gloves will not last you long, and they warm you up much worse than stitched ones..

Decor

Designers offer incredibly beautiful gloves, skillfully and richly decorated with various volumetric and flat elements. However You cannot sacrifice the convenience or functionality of an accessory in the name of an unusual look.

A balance must be maintained and the conditions in which the products will be used must be adequately assessed. If their main purpose is to assist in driving a car or other transport, then decorative elements are not only undesirable, they can cause a traffic accident. A hand caught in jewelry simply will not allow you to react in a timely manner to events on the road.

At the same time, there are no special prohibitions for wearing gloves with decoration on the street. Bows, inserts, appliqués, embroidery, rivets, zippers, drapery – choose any option based on taste, age, gender and style.

Color

Today at all It is not necessary to choose gloves to match your shoes or hat. You can play on contrasts. This is often done by brides who get married in colored rather than traditional white dresses.

Another variant: go back to the classics. Moreover, the end result can be bright and interesting, never boring. An example of a successful ensemble is evening dresses with long white gloves.

Important! Gloves, especially those made of leather and faux leather, must be evenly and well dyed. Be sure to check the quality of the layer before purchasing. Rub the surface with a white cloth.

Autolady is even simpler. In their case, a machine can act as a source of inspiration. Steering wheel braid, body, seat, wheel rims - you can take any of the listed options as a color guide.

Perforation

It is done for several reasons. One of them is the desire to protect the skin, protect it from irritation. However holes are always a source of heat loss. Therefore, there is no need to blindly follow fashion or focus on one property, sacrificing another important function. If your hands often get cold, then you need to choose gloves with a minimum number of perforations.

Clasp type

Some gloves come without any fixing element. Most often these are products of standard length. For ease of putting on, they may have a slit on the back of the wrist.

Sports models are equipped with rope ties, Velcro (one or more), and elastic bands. The choice between them must be made based on the requirements for equipment. If you need an absolute fit with your hand, almost fusion with it, then you should go with lacing.

The most relevant fixing element for knitted items is elastic. It can be wide or narrow, visible or hidden. For children, it makes sense to purchase gloves with a wide and very elastic elastic band. Due to their size, they will sit firmly on the hand, and due to their good stretchability, they will not tighten the wrist.

Car gloves and models for everyday wear most often come with a button, zipper or Velcro. If you can buy any of the listed options for wearing on the street, then accessories with a button or zipper are better suited for driving. Velcro - one or several - simply will not withstand the typical hand activity of a car enthusiast.

Lining

Products for daily long-term wear and training must have a lining. It performs several functions at once:

• absorbs moisture (the hand does not slip in the glove, the skin does not become irritated due to poor moisture drainage);
• provides comfortable wearing (the lining material is pleasant to the touch, less rough than the front side of the glove);
• protects the outer material (some types of materials used for the outer layer of gloves do not tolerate constant contact with sweat; for example, suede).

Important! It cannot be said unequivocally that only accessories lined with natural fabrics are good. Today, manufacturers, using proprietary and innovative technologies, create functional and safe linings from artificial materials.

In addition, some linings are additionally impregnated with antibacterial and hypoallergenic compounds. You can wear these gloves all day long without taking them off. The harm from them is minimized.

What do they go with?

It won’t be difficult to purchase a pair that is made in accordance with the principles of a certain style direction. There is a solution for each option; you won’t have to spend a long time looking for a pair for a sports, business, evening, themed or retro outfit.

Also there is no shortage of luxury products. Many famous designers work with gloves on a regular basis and include them in their collections every time. Therefore, girls who want to look fashionable and expensive will find it easy to choose a hand accessory that matches their usual wardrobe.

The only strict rule regarding the issue of composing ensembles with gloves is applies to extended models. If you adhere to the classic standards of style, they are usually worn only with evening dresses and outerwear with ¾ sleeves. However, today conservative models of behavior in the fashion industry are being actively eliminated. Therefore, it is not necessary to follow them, unless you are the king’s wife.