A pair of warm gloves has become a familiar attribute of any winter look. They are worn when it is cold, they are often lost and very carefully chosen when it comes to gloves for a wedding dress or evening dress. Gloves warm, protect, create an original and elegant image, but few people are interested in the history of this ordinary piece of clothing. Few people know what this or that type of gloves is called correctly and what you should pay special attention to when choosing gloves for an elegant dress.

In the meantime, gloves are quite an interesting topic, perhaps by learning more about them, you will take a fresh look at a pair of your favorite gloves and love them even more.

It is believed that gloves came from ancient times, they were worn by the Greeks and Romans, but much later, around the 13th century, women began to wear gloves and turned them into a fashionable part of the ladies' wardrobe. Then the gloves were sewn from linen or silk, they were long and covered the arm almost to the elbow. Ladies' gloves were considered a luxury item, and commoners could only dream of a pair of fashionable gloves. Time passed, fashion changed, and with it the appearance of gloves changed, in the 16th century Queen Elizabeth I introduced a fashion for gloves decorated with rich embroidery and precious stones. Soon a pair of luxurious gloves became an essential attribute of the image of European monarchs and their families.

Types of gloves

Gloves are different, some models are more popular than others, some are more comfortable and practical, but a person cannot do without gloves. The standard glove model is a glove with separate holes for all five fingers.

Mitts, which everyone used to call mittens, also cover the hand almost completely, but in this model there are no separate holes for each finger. Mitts may have a separate section for the thumb, however, not all models have this detail.

Fingerless gloves, as their name suggests, do not cover the fingers. Such models are ideal for not too cold weather, and fingerless gloves are often used by people whose occupation involves open fingers.

Elbow-length gloves protect the hand well from the cold if they are made of warm or thick material, but more often such gloves are used as a fashion accessory.

Driver's gloves are usually made of leather, such a glove is equipped with a strap with a buckle or a button closure at the wrist. Driving gloves provide a better grip on the surface of the steering wheel of a car, but recently such gloves have become a real trendy accessory.

Gloves are made from a variety of materials, they are sewn from fabric and leather, knitted from a variety of yarns, latex, rubber, neoprene and even metal are used to make gloves. Gloves can be made from natural, synthetic or mixed materials. Gloves that are traditionally used to protect hands from the cold are most often made of leather, suede, knitted fabric, fleece or water-repellent materials.

Leather

Genuine leather gloves hold heat well, besides they are very soft and always look stylish. Leather with a natural, unpolished front surface is considered the most expensive, and, accordingly, gloves made from such leather are very expensive, but they can last a very long time. As a result, high quality justifies the high price of the product.

Suede

Suede is the bottom (inner) layer of an animal's skin. Suede gloves are soft and elastic, suede has no less fans than genuine leather, but suede gloves have one drawback: suede is capricious and requires special care. It is contraindicated to wet suede gloves, because of the pile, which, in fact, gives suede its attractive appearance, only dry methods are suitable for cleaning this material.

Knitted gloves

Gloves are knitted from natural or synthetic yarn. Mass-produced gloves are machine knitted, but if you want to have knitted gloves with a unique design, knit them yourself or make them to order.

Fleece gloves

Fleece is a synthetic material that is popular and inexpensive. Fleece is widely used in winter clothing, it goes to jackets, mittens, hats, vests and so on. Fleece gloves are light and warm, even when wet, they retain heat quite well and absorb moisture, which is why fleece gloves are especially suitable for outdoor physical activity. Fleece also has disadvantages: this fabric is highly flammable and conducts static electricity too well.

Waterproof materials

Water-repellent fabrics are great for sports and other outdoor activities. There are many varieties of waterproof fabrics, the most popular being gore-tex and polyurethane. As a rule, waterproof gloves are made of several layers of fabric, and the fabric is treated with a special impregnation that does not allow moisture to penetrate into the glove.

Glove factories are scattered all over the world, in every country, perhaps, there is a local brand that produces a wide range of gloves for women, men and children. It is believed that the most stylish and elegant model gloves for women are made in France, and in New York, fans of gloves can find the widest selection of high-quality and inexpensive models of men's gloves.

How to choose gloves for a dress

Long gloves to the elbow or even higher are suitable for a sleeveless dress or with thin spaghetti straps. If you're invited to an event that has a dressy but less formal dress code, long gloves can be replaced with short or classic styles.

If you decide to wear gloves with a long sleeve dress, it is better to choose gloves that completely cover the arm, up to the wrist. If the sleeves of the dress are decorated with embroidery, neckline or other decor, it is better to refuse gloves.

A dress with open shoulders looks especially elegant with long gloves made of lace or dense fabric. Long gloves accentuate the arms and bare shoulder line. If long gloves seem too pretentious and dramatic to you, replace them with a short warrant, as Jackie Kennedy did at her wedding in Newport, Rhode Island.

A dress with a rich finish is the central element of the image, so the accompanying accessories , including gloves should be kept in the most discreet style. For a dress embroidered with rhinestones, glass beads or sequins, choose gloves from plain smooth fabrics or transparent tulle without a pattern.

A high-waisted dress looks equally good with both long gloves and shorter models, the latter giving the image a special lightness and playfulness.

A three-quarter sleeve looks most harmonious with wrist-length gloves, but this sleeve length is quite self-sufficient and can do without gloves.

Gloves look most advantageous if they are selected not only taking into account the style of the dress, but also the features of the physique. For women with short arms, it is better to choose elbow-length gloves, if the image requires the presence of long gloves. Full hands of gloves will not hide, but rather attract additional attention to them. In this case, do not wear gloves that separate the hand in their most massive part.

The color of the gloves should match the color of the dress or suit, thin leather gloves can be worn all year round, but velvet options are best reserved for winter celebrations.

Gloves not only protect hands from rain and cold, they perfectly complement the image, acting as a stylish and elegant accessory. It is better to have several pairs of gloves in your wardrobe for different clothes, practical and warm - for a down jacket or jacket, thinner model ones - for a stylish fur coat or an elegant coat.

The peculiarity of work gloves lies in the fact that they, with the right choice, are able to protect the hands of the worker from any kind of negative influences that he may encounter at work.

Alas, if you do not know what work gloves are, you will not be able to correctly select a protective agent that matches the specifics of your activity.

Classification

Types of work gloves and their purpose:

• The most common are made of cotton fabric coated with PVC. They are used in almost all industries, from trade to industry. As a rule, they are worn to protect hands from contamination by substances that are not harmful to humans. Can be covered with PVC only partially or completely. Alas, these types of work gloves do not protect against mechanical, thermal or any other serious damage that a person may encounter at work.
• Latex gloves are widely used in the chemical industry and by workers in other industries that are exposed to chemicals: paint industry, oil refining industry, textile industry.
• Nitrile gloves provide light protection against mechanical damage and good resistance to chemicals. They are used in construction works, paint and varnish and chemical industries.
• Split leather is used when serious protection against mechanical damage is needed. They are made of leather and resist shocks, punctures and thermal effects well.
• rubber or silicone. Depending on the type, these types of work gloves can be used in the food industry, medicine or when working with electrical installations.
• usually used in heavy industry. They can be made of split leather, leather or tarpaulin. Well withstand blows, punctures, sparks and splashes of hot metal.

Have you ever thought about where and when gloves appeared, why they are called that, and what types of gloves exist in the world? In Russian, this word comes from the word "finger", which in Old Russian means "finger". The first mittens with compartments for fingers were called mittens. The history of gloves begins in Egypt, the cradle of civilization. In ancient Rome, gloves were used not for protection from the cold, but for food, so as not to get their hands dirty, and, of course, as part of military equipment. Later, gloves became an indispensable element of knightly uniforms and a sign of belonging to the highest circles. Gradually, they became a kind of symbol of knightly prowess, glory and honor. Remember, when challenged to a fight or duel, the opponent was thrown a glove. In the 19th century, gloves were an obligatory attribute of a ballroom costume; from a thin one, they complemented a black tailcoat for men, and long lace ones adorned the outfit of ladies. Nowadays, gloves are also a necessary wardrobe item. They save from the cold on the street, complement the women's suit, are used to protect hands during work.

The first fingerless gloves were used exclusively for work, they were comfortable, as they did not hinder movements, and the fingertips did not lose their sensitivity. As there are several titles. For example, in France they were called mittens, they had only jumpers between the fingers, or did not have them at all and were kept on the hand due to the plasticity of the material from which they were made. As a fashionable women's accessory, such models have been known since the 18th century. As a rule, they were worn with a dress, so they performed more aesthetic than utilitarian function. Indeed, women's fingerless gloves, from which thin fingers peeked out, looked very touching, cute and exciting. And in the working-class neighborhoods, on the streets and squares of flower girls, street vendors still used mittens for convenience in their work.

Glovelettes - that's what fingerless gloves are called in America

In America, fingerless gloves are known as glovelettes. They came into fashion thanks to various informal youth associations, which in the middle of the 20th century were trendsetters among young people, challenging the tastes and preferences of a moderate and respectable bourgeois environment in everything. "Hobo" - that's what fingerless gloves are also called, referring us to the style of poor neighborhoods and slums. Glovelettes differ from mittens in shape. They have fingers, only they are cut off from the middle and open the upper part of the phalanges. This form turned out to be very convenient for motorists and motorcyclists, so glovelets became popular primarily among bikers, cyclists and motorists. They were made of thin natural leather and decorated with numerous rivets and straps, as well as slots for ventilation.

From the informal environment, fingerless gloves hit the scene with the advent of rock. Musicians willingly used them to create defiant ones. With sharp metal spikes, from black long to the elbows or short on the strap, the glovelettes were part of the shocking images created by the musicians on stage. Thus, the popularity of fingerless gloves grew. From the music scene, they migrated to the catwalks and became a fashionable addition to urban attire and evening dress.

Elbow-length lace fingerless gloves are one of the most elegant and stylish accessories for women's formal attire. They are decorated with rhinestones and natural stones. Glovelettes and mitts - these are the names of fingerless gloves that act as a bright and attractive addition to a fur jacket, vest or warm thick knitted sweater. They are worn in sets with woolen scarves and round hats. The design of such gloves can be the most diverse, which is proved by the latest novelties of the season.

Despite the automation of production processes, manual labor in some cases is indispensable. To work safely and productively, it is necessary to protect hands from mechanical damage and exposure to chemicals. Work gloves are used for this.

Types of gloves

Depending on the working conditions, the types of gloves may vary. Glove manufacturers offer options for all occasions.

For protection against mechanical damage

Knitted with PVC coating. Due to the presence of dot inclusions, the special strength of the product is ensured. The composition, as a rule, is cotton and polyester, which gives elasticity.

This option is indispensable when working with slippery objects. They have a high degree of strength and wear resistance.

Cotton without coatings. If the performance of work requires special accuracy, the choice should be made in favor of HB gloves. They provide hand feel thanks to the cotton composition (in some cases, a small amount of polyester may be added).

For protection against chemical burns and universal

Latex. Provide protection against the harmful effects of certain chemicals. Often used in contact with slaked lime, as well as in soap making and other industries.

The latex coating can be smooth or rough, while the relief structure has an anti-slip effect. They are resistant to mechanical damage and have excellent resistance. These are the best gloves for work that requires good hand sensitivity.

Nitrile. This type protects against burns, cuts and other possible damage. The material has a high elasticity.

They are disposable (gloves are thin, but can protect against chemical influences) and reusable (in this case, a layer of nitrile is applied to the cotton base, which gives the gloves additional strength and heat-shielding properties).

Nitrile gloves also have dielectric and antistatic functions. Due to the tightness, the considered type is indispensable in the performance of construction and household work.

Neoprene gloves are used to protect against the harmful effects of a wide range of chemicals. They are impermeable to gases and moisture.

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that was created to resist oils. In terms of plasticity, mittens are not inferior to latex ones, and in terms of wear resistance they will compete with nitrile ones.

Heavy Duty Gloves

Split. They are made from material obtained as a result of leather production. Withstand high temperatures.

The rough structure of the split leather provides reliable grip on any surface. In the photo of split work gloves, their rough structure is visible, but despite this, the material has excellent breathability, so that the skin of the hands does not fade.

Gaiters are an indispensable part of overalls. Such work gloves are made of leather, split leather or tarpaulin. There are two-fingered, three-fingered and standard (five-fingered) options.

The high cuffs of the leggings provide even more reliable protection. Necessary when working with hot metal and welding equipment.

Criteria for choosing protective gloves

To choose the right gloves, you need to consider the conditions under which they will be used.

The security features are the determining factor. Depending on the required purpose, models are selected to prevent mechanical or chemical harm.

Air temperature. If the ambient temperature is comfortable, standard gloves can be used. When working in the cold, you need insulated gloves that have a fur lining.

Strength indicators. When purchasing gloves, pay attention to the EN 388 indicators, which indicate the classes of protection against cuts, abrasions, tears and punctures. The higher the index, the higher the degree of protection.

Indicators of resistance to chemicals. They are marked with the EN 374 sign and alphabetic characters that indicate protection against specific chemical elements.

For example, if you need to protect your hands from acetone, the package should be marked with the letter B, from methanol - A, and so on.

Hand protection area. When using gloves with knitted cuffs, the hand moves freely, but the gloves do not protect the wrist. Safety gaiters protect the wrist from mechanical damage, and a long covered gaiter also protects from chemical influences.

Glove size. Choosing the right size will ensure reliable protection and comfort in work. You need to be guided by the girth and long arm, as well as the necessary long glove. These parameters are indicated on the packages of mittens in millimeters.

Photo of work gloves