Gloves: A History

Every day you slip on your gloves and think nothing of them until they are so worn that you need to pick up a few new ones. They look fantastic, add a bit of style to your look, and keep your fingers warm. But, who invented them? How did someone come up with this unique way to provide ample movement to your hands while keeping them clothed?

Gloves are not a modern creation. In fact, some of the first mentions of them are in Homer’s The Odyssey. Roman literature mentions them as well. During its early years, gloves were called gauntlet and were often made of leather or a type of metal armor. They were commonly worn through the Middle Ages as a tool of defense. In the 13th century, nobility began to use them. They become a fashionable pieces for women to wear. These were often made of silk or fine linens and extended to the elbow in some cases. In Paris around the same time, gloves were made of animal skin or fur.

It wasn’t until the 16th century that they changed significantly. At that time Queen Elizabeth 1 began wearing gloves featuring detailed embroidery and jewels. Her goal was to draw attention to her hands. In the 17th century, it was fashionable to wear gloves made from soft chicken skin.

Over time, the look and materials used in gloves changed, especially with the invention of machinery that could produce them faster. Fabrics like those we use today, are much more commonly. When you purchase wholesale gloves or wholesale scarves today, you are buying items designed for both fashion and warmth. Throughout history, gloves have been used as a fashion statement. You can easily slip these onto your hands and know you are continuing the tradition.