Gloves have been a part of human culture since prehistoric times, evolving from crude mittens to refined and articulated designs. The tradition of glove making is a reclusive art that has been intertwined with society’s fashion and social relevance throughout history.
Ancient References to Gloves
Gloves are seen in ancient writings such as Homer’s The Odyssey, where Laertes wears gloves in his garden to avoid brambles. Herodotus also described how Leotychides was given a bribe in the form of a gauntlet overflowing with silver, which later incriminated him.
Gloves in Medieval Times
The complexity and versatility of gloves grew over time, and plated gauntlets date back to the early 14th century. Knights were cited as wearing mail gloves under their plated gauntlets for added strength.
Gloves in Fashion
Cloth and leather gauntlets displayed intricate embroideries, and ladies in the 19th century adored opera gloves. A peculiarity of the time was that they tried to fit their hands into gloves a size too small, forcing their hand to rest in a half cupped position, perfect for greeting but not for kissing.
The Role of Gloves Today
Gloves continue to be an integral part of many jobs today, providing insulation from the heat or cold and protection from scratches and cuts. However, there has been a sharp decline in the use of gloves as fashion accessories over the past several decades, with fewer and fewer girls attending their proms with gloves. The future of the glove as a fashion accessory remains uncertain, as fashion is a fickle thing.
