Leather and Animal Hides

There are numerous types of leather than can be used to make a pair of gloves, and because of this huge scope, they can vastly differ in price. From lamb Nappa leather, cowhide, goatskin and pigskin, to luxurious suedes and exotic skins, there’s a definite element of “dressiness” that comes with wearing a pair of leather gloves. With many leather gloves, they can be lined in cashmere or silk for extra warmth and flair; alternatively, the liner can be made from a mixture of materials, with woven materials like wool, or tweed, being popular.

Traditionally, leather gloves closed with a single button, however, there are lots of ways you can close leather gloves, such as snap-fasteners, a strap, or a simple slit on the underside of the wrist. If there’s a small slit on the bottom of glove, these are technically called “vents” and are used to help fit the leather glove (which, depending on the style may be rigid) to your hand, while providing flexibility during wear.

Leather gloves usually come with detailing, otherwise known as “points,” which are the raised strips or lines than run on the upper side of the glove. If done by hand, they’re a sign of genuine craftsmanship and can be quite attractive.

Natural Fibers

These are typically more snug and cosy than their counterparts, and in turn less formal. Due to the fact that they are knitted from yarns like cotton, wool, cashmere and mixed blends, the depth and array of colours available are endless. From punchy deep reds, neutrals, and fail-safe black, with a knitted accessory the designs can vary too, with stripes and patterns easily incorporated. Depending on the fineness of the yarns that enter the knitting stage, they can appear smooth but also course in nature.

Technical Fabrics

At the more fashion end of the spectrum, there are numerous options for gloves made from technical fabrics. These, in turn, exist more in the sporting and outdoors realm, and some can be fitted with touch-screen technology so that you can use your phone without having to remove your gloves. This is a huge bonus in this day and age. Technical fabrics include; nylon, kevlar, polyester and synthetic blends.

Specialty fabrics like Polartec and Thinsulate may be synthetic while mimicking the appearance of natural materials and fibers, but given their unique design functions (usually revolving around reducing bulk without sacrificing warmth, or being quick drying or waterproof by comparison to other materials), sometimes going synthetic is the best way to get bang for your buck.

Even treatments like Gore-Tex, which, as seen a variety of outerwear, is “guaranteed to keep you dry,” will often appear on certain gloves—especially those intended for winter sports or manual work.

There are two ways in which a glove can be made: knitted or sewn.

Knit Gloves

Knitted gloves are made on knitting machines, and many are seamless which provides an unparalleled fit due to them being produced on tubular knitting frames (similar to a pair of socks). Without the seams, they’re more comfortable, fitting and snug.

You’ll find that more casual, everyday gloves and mittens will likely be knit together. While not as water resistant or durable as leather gloves (whether hand or machine-sewn), they are generally cost effective (depending on the material) and are a staple of any man’s cold-weather wardrobe.

Hand-Sewn Gloves

With sewn gloves, there are two ways in which they can be made, either sewn by hand or via machine. Hand-sewn gloves are, of course, more expensive due to the skillset needed to create them. Traditionally identified because they are sewn together with a contrast thread and can be thicker (as it’s easier for the craftsman to work with). While this is the perfect choice for gloves that are meant for dressier occasions or formal events, the reality that hand-sewn gloves can be more susceptible to breaking open during heavy use makes hand-sewn construction not ideal for gloves that will go through significant daily wear-and-tear.

Gloves for sporting activities, or to be worn for they protection qualities, are typically machine-sewn; a notable exception however, would be driving gloves. Driving gloves were, and currently are, mostly worn when driving what we’d now consider “classic” or “luxury” cars, and as such exist in a luxury world (we don’t recommend pulling on a pair of driving gloves as you whip around town in your Honda Civic, but hey—to each their own). With connections to a luxury-focused buyer, they are likely to be hand-sewn.

Machine-Sewn Gloves

Machine-sewn gloves can be produced in greater numbers in shorter amounts of time. Sewn together inside-out (and then turned right-side-out after they’re completely constructed), machine-sewn gloves are usually less-bulky by comparison. It’s for this reason that machine-sewn gloves can also work for formal occasions in the right scenarios: A slimmer profile is generally preferred for dressier evening events.

Machine-sewn gloves might have finer consistency in finishing, and will have a higher level of durability, but might lack that attractive, “hand-sewn” craftsmanship quality.

When you put on a glove, try not to pull them on via the cuff but by one finger at a time. To take them off, pull one finger up and off the finger at a time. Don’t rush it, as gloves—while designed with durability in mind—are delicate accessories.

Store your gloves flat, and don’t fold them up or roll them into a little ball. This will naturally maintain the shape of the individual finger slots, not to mention the entire shape of the glove.

If your gloves get wet—and this applies more to leather gloves, but is still good practice for all glove types—place them on a dry towel. Don’t throw them in the dryer or subject them to a hairdryer. This will obviously damage—or in the worst case, warp the shape of—the gloves. Like any garment, water and high heat usually yields items that feel and appear differently than they did at the start.

If your glove is very wrinkled, you can use an iron on the lowest heat setting and use a dry piece of cotton to protect the leather from the metal iron. Lay the glove flat and without pressure, gently iron the glove.

These would normally be known as “day gloves”; worn during the average man’s day-to-day routine in the cold weather, these are your go-to leather gloves. To hark back to what’s mentioned earlier, in the early 20th century gloves were a staple accessory of a man’s wardrobe, and would be worn almost all year round. They’re less common now, given that we’re sensitive creatures and most buildings and methods of transport aren’t cold enough to require gloves. Nevertheless, though, formal gloves are made from leather and can feature decorative touches that can give it a smart and stylish lift.

If nothing else, when you think of “leather winter gloves” this is likely what comes to mind.

Recommended Brands
Brooks Brothers, Goyard, Hestra, Maison Margiela

Certainly more cosy and warm than many of its counterparts, knitted gloves are overall much more affordable and offer themselves up as an alternative that’s unfussy yet still stylish. Whether you’re in the market for something that’s plain and effective, or a bit bolder in color or texture, options are aplenty—a good option to throw on quickly before heading out into the wilderness... aka, metropolis.

Wool would come in as the most common, versatile and cost-effective knit material, but there’s far more than wool when it comes to selecting glove materials. Fleece is great for its thickness and warmth, but can pill and be difficult to clean. Cashmere is also an option, but is thin and lacks durability.

Recommended Brands
A.P.C., Carhartt, Moncler, Nike, Norse Projects

Back in the day (and still now in F1), drivers would wear gloves to give them more traction on, and protection from, steering wheels; many early steering wheels were made from or composed primarily of wood, and catching a splinter while driving isn’t great. Driving gloves should only be worn while driving. Driving gloves are easily identified thanks to their open, snap-closure wrist fastening and holes along the knuckles for ventilation and greater flexibility. Driving gloves are also shorter in nature, as there’s no need to have a glove that reaches down your forearm while trying to manipulate the various functions of a fast-moving car.

Recommended Brands
Dents, Dunhill, Vivienne Westwood

Before the advent of smart technology, if you wanted to use your phone, or unbutton a hard-to-unbutton jacket, fingerless gloves were your port of call. Even still, most brands, recognizing that you’ll inevitably want to… well, cover your exposed fingers, create flip-top-like attachments for their fingerless gloves.

They’re certainly casual, and while you might be subjected to the elements, they still carry a degree of warmth and are definitely better than nothing. Be cautious though—worn with too much regularity or in the wrong situations (see: indoors), you’ll end up looking more like the late-Karl Lagerfeld (unless, of course, that’s the intention).

Recommended Brands
Ann Demeulemeester, Filson, Number (N)ine, Rag & Bone

Mitts are still gloves, they just don’t have separate sheaths for each finger, and are only really practical when you’re not in immediate need of your digits. Usually tied to workwear—or in today’s fashion space, workwear-inspired fashion—mitts’ lack of individual finger functionality traditionally only makes sense as a protective layer or during long cold-weather exposure. They can be made from a knitted material for comfort, but many will feature a synthetic fabric exterior—usually something durable and waterproof like Gore-Tex-treated nylon—which bellies a mitt’s functional background.

Recommended Brands
Fendi, L.L. Bean Moncler, Off-White, Tommy Hilfiger

Excuse the obvious statement, but you can’t go skiing without wearing a decent pair of gloves. With advances in technology and fabrication, they are predominantly made from synthetic, waterproof materials, as constant contact with snow will freeze your hands if you’re wearing a knitted glove (unless you’re exceptional at skiing or snowboarding and will never fall over). They should have a secure fastener, like a drawstring, elastic or strap closure, and even a protective sock-like liner that will stop snow from entering the palm of your hand.

Recommended Brands
Arc’teryx, Burton, Nike

If you’re a keen runner, you’ll know the importance of having a good pair of gloves to run in during winter. They’re lightweight and unfussy, and can even feature reflective technology if you’re getting up at the crack of down to get your mileage in. Brands like The North Face (specifically with its Etip model), Nike and adidas, are leaders in this field (obviously), and they’re mostly made from a nylon-like material. Gloves of this type should be light and waterproof and can provide just the right amount of stretch. Given that we’re now in the Digital Age, many come with touch screen technology as there’s nothing more annoying than having to remove your glove mid-run to fuss with your music or deal with a call. Expect these to be all machine-made.

Recommended Brands
adidas, Arc’teryx, Nike, The North Face

These are different from driving gloves, as they’re used in motorcycling, motorcross or bicycling events. They’re made from lightweight synthetics, and feature protective parts on the palms and knuckles in case of you falling off. Traditionally seen only on or around motorcross racetracks (and similar autosport spaces), Supreme’s collaborations with Honda and Fox Racing respectively have helped bring the glove style into the wider fashion fold.

Recommended Brands
Honda, Fox Racing, Supreme