Gloves: how to choose

How to choose gloves

Start with the cold you are dressing for. A knit pair is light and stretchy for a daily walk or a station platform; a leather or PU leather pair has a smooth outer that can take the wind on a drive or a longer commute; a suede-touch shell gives a matte finish for smarter coats. If you use your phone outdoors, look for touchscreen fingertips so you are not pulling a glove off at the crossing.

Sizing is simpler than it looks. Where a piece is sized, go by palm width: M measures 4.3 inches across the palm, L 4.5 inches, with lengths from 9.1 to 9.8 inches. Some pieces are free-size and slip on without a size choice. If you are between sizes, think about whether you want a close fit under a coat cuff or a little more room for a knit sleeve.

Fit should be close but not tight. Pull each glove on until the knit reaches the top of every finger; a leather pair should allow you to bend your hand and grip a rail or a steering wheel without strain. Check the cuff: a short cuff sits neatly under a coat or knit sleeve, while a longer cuff can sit over a knit sleeve or under a coat.

Materials, details and fit

Knit is the everyday material here: acrylic knits feel soft against the skin and have a little stretch, while cashmere brings a fine, light warmth without bulk. A knit pair is a good match for a walk, a commute or a weekend when you want your hands to move freely. For a cleaner line, choose a single-colour finish; for a little detail, a jacquard pattern or a fine stripe does the work.

Leather and leather-like surfaces change the feel. Goat leather has a smooth, close grain and a wool lining; sheepskin leather sits close to the hand and can be warm without bulk; PU leather gives a smooth matte outer with a lined interior. Suede-touch shells are matte and quiet, closer to brushed leather than to shine. Linings matter too: velvet, fleece and napped linings hold warmth across the back of the hand and along the fingers.

Touchscreen detail is worth checking before you choose. Some pairs use conductive yarn at the thumb, index and middle fingertips; others have touchscreen tips on two fingers. Pull the glove on fully and smooth the knit across the palm so the tips sit flat against the fingers you use most; only full contact will register a tap. If you only need to check a message now and then, a single touchscreen tip can be enough.

Look at the small construction points as well. Five-finger tailoring gives a neat line around the knuckles; split-finger construction allows natural movement; a lightly structured palm helps with grip. A padded or quilted pair adds warmth, while a lightweight knit keeps a bag or a coat pocket from feeling bulky.

How to style them

Let the cuff do the styling. A neat cuff sits just under a coat or knit sleeve, so the glove disappears into the line of a tailored jacket. A longer cuff can sit over a knit sleeve or under a coat, which is useful when you want a little more coverage at the wrist. Keep the join tidy: smooth the sleeve over the glove rather than letting fabric bunch at the cuff.

Colour is where gloves can be quiet or deliberate. Black PU leather works with wool coats, trench styles and quilted jackets, and it is just as easy with denim as with a dinner dress. Deep brown suede-touch gloves sit well with tweed, camel and cream; black gives a cleaner, sharper line. A single-colour cashmere pair keeps the look calm under a neutral coat, while a jacquard or striped pair adds detail without changing the rest of the outfit.

Match the glove to the occasion rather than to a single coat. A suede-touch or leather pair with a longer cuff suits early drives, bike rides and winter walks. Knit pairs are easy with a long knit scarf and a wool coat. Cashmere mittens keep the fingers together for warmth and look neat with a monochrome outfit; a small embroidered detail at the cuff is enough.

Care and storage

Check the care label before you clean any pair, because the right method depends on the material. As a general rule, knit gloves benefit from a cool hand wash and flat drying; do not wring them, and reshape them while damp so the fingers keep their line. Leather, PU leather and suede-touch gloves should be wiped with a soft damp cloth rather than soaked, then left to air-dry away from radiators and direct sun.

For suede-touch and brushed surfaces, a soft brush after dry wear lifts light dust and keeps the nap even. If the gloves get damp, blot them with a towel and let them dry naturally; never put them on a hot radiator. A leather or PU leather pair can be stored flat or loosely folded, not stretched over a rail.

Store gloves as a pair so one does not go missing at the back of a drawer. A cotton bag or a drawer divider works well, and it keeps knit from snagging on zips or jewellery. Avoid overstuffing a cuff to hold its shape, which can stretch the opening; a light roll of tissue is enough. Rotate pairs through the season so each one has time to air between wears.

Standout pieces

• Velvet-Lined Suede-Look Touch Screen Gloves: A suede-touch outer, brushed velvet lining and touchscreen fingertips make this a neat pair for cold mornings when you need your phone.
• Women's Full-Finger Gloves: Fine cashmere in a light full-finger knit keeps the hand warm without bulk, with a single-colour finish that sits quietly under a coat sleeve.
• Goat Leather Touch Screen Gloves: Supple goat leather, a wool lining and a longer cuff give this pair a polished line for early drives and winter walks, with touchscreen fingertips for calls.
• Cashmere Touchscreen Mittens: Cashmere mittens hold the fingers together for warmth, with a touchscreen tip and a small embroidered detail at the cuff.