Accessories

When were gloves invented?

Gloves have a long history in both fashion and everyday wear. Many archaeologists have found gloves amongst multiple remains dating back to ancient Egypt that were worn by royalty. Their first usage as silk dates back from 1200-1300 AD in which they were embroidered with pearls and intricate embroidery. Leather gloves, however, were used long before silk to protect the hands during work. During the 14 and 1500s leather gloves were a widely in demand commodity for both workers and fashionistas. Manufacturers in France even began making scented leather gloves, along with leather from all sorts of animal skins with and without embroidery. Shorter after this time, women also began to wear gloves at night to keep their hands soft and white, a sign of richness and luxury. Long gloves that we now use as accessories for with dresses and lingerie didn't become popular until the 1700s with different lengths from halfway up the forearm or the elbow. During the 1800s wearing gloves while drinking tea, particularly suede gloves with buttons, was considered stylish and trendy. Interestingly, fingerless gloves also have quite the long and decorated history, dating back ancient Roman and Greece for their obvious practicality of finger mobility. They were often used during stitching or embroidery as well as other finger dexterity requiring tasks.