30 Types of Gloves for Women and Men (All Uses and Styles) (2024)

Gloves are a wonderful accessory. They are not only worn for protection, but they also accentuate the beauty of any outfit you wear. A nice pair of gloves doesn’t only cover your hands and save them from the sun and environmental damage, but it also makes you look extremely elegant.

There are various different styles and fashionable ways to sport a pair of gorgeous gloves. Just because they were a traditional accessory and an absolute obsession back in the 90s, it doesn’t mean they’re any less charming now.

In fact, if you’re into vintage fashion, a stylish pair of gloves embellished with delicate beads are an excellent choice. It really gives off a regal vibe to your look. With so much to experiment with gloves, here are the 12 different types you can wear for each look.

Related: Glove Sizes Chart

A. Types of Gloves for Women

Note there is overlap between the different glove options for women and men.

1. Touch Screen Gloves

Touch screen gloves or touch-capacitated gloves are wind-resistant and made for maximum functionality and agility. They are knitted using an incredibly lightweight, thin, and stretchy fabric to protect your hands from extreme temperatures.

You can text all you want during winters, and use your phone even during a heavy downpour because the touch screen gloves offer ample protection. The gloves are lined with silicone grips to protect your phone from slipping out of your hands. With these gloves, you can easily use the knuckle, fingertip, and palm of your hand while using your touch phone.

2. Silk Glove Liners

Among all the natural fibers, silk is one of the best insulators. Silk glove liners are the only accessory that can single-highhandedly give your party outfit the most royal and majestic look. They are breathable and have good wicking properties.

You can even pamper your hands after a fresh pedicure by slipping into silk glove liners. Acting as glove inserts under thick mittens and fleece gloves, these gloves are extremely delicate and soft.

While gold and silver are the most popular choices, deep maroon and copper look equally beautiful. If you’re wearing a long formal dress, then wear silk gloves that go up to your elbow. Silk gloves are usually snug-fit, which makes them perfect to flaunt your delicate fingers and slender arms. You can even try wearing a shimmering diamond or pearl ring over it to add to the regal look.

One surprising fact about silk gloves is that over time they can reduce signs of aging and hyperpigmentation on your hands. Don’t believe us? Well, the science is quite simple. Plenty of research has shown that wearing raw silk significantly reduces signs of red, itchy, and pigmented skin. Silk isn’t just a gorgeous fabric to wear; it is also extremely classy and soothing.

3. Thermal Insulation Mittens

Thermal insulation mittens are made of 50% wool and 50% nylon, one of the best fabric insulators. The added layers of deer leather palm help keep your hands warm for longer periods.

When your fingers are all frozen up and stiff, wear mittens to beat the biting cold. They keep your delicate fingers intact, cozy, and warm. Mittens aren’t exactly the best choice for winter fashion, but when it comes to providing warmth, they are your best choice.

Nylon and wool are two warming materials that don’t cause any time of irritation or itchiness. They’re usually thin and easy-to-wear, so you can also wear multiple layers of mittens if it gets too cold. The best thing about mittens is that you can make them out of recycled materials.

If you have an old hoodie, wool jacket, or socks that you’re planning to chuck away, use it as mittens. Cut out the right size for your hands and attach a string at the wrist to keep them intact.

4. Black Leather Gloves

Related: Best Leather Gloves for Men

Leather gloves were worn by the Joker in the popular film, Batman, after which they quickly gained attention. There is nothing more alluring and enrapturing than a smooth pair of leather gloves. If you’re a fan of leather, you probably anticipate the winters because that’s the perfect time to flaunt leather.

Whether it’s a leather jacket, a leather hat, or leather gloves, this fabric will never fail you. Not only is it super-smooth and sleek to touch; it can also give you a super-stylish and edgy look.

Leather gloves work amazingly to keep the cold. They perfectly complement your holiday fashion and look wonderful with a long winter coat.

5. Cycling Gloves

Cycling gloves for women have microfibers, which makes them strong and sturdy. Their pads are comfortable and conveniently slip on the fingers. Wearing these gloves during cycling protect your wrists from strains and damage.

Cycling gloves are made with a breathable, hard-wearing fabric, which makes them easy to take on and off. You can even use them to protect your knuckles and wrist during camping, hiking, or when riding an automated bike.

6. Skiing Gloves

If you’re a fan of the sport itself, then chances are you already own skiing gloves. Skiing gloves are made of high-quality cotton, which makes them perfect for triple-insulation. Inserted with a thick fleece fabric inside, skiing gloves readily absorb sweat, while keeping your hands super-warm.

They are windproof and usually have an elastic wrist strap to fasten them nicely on your hands. Perfect for winter fishing and snow activities, they are one of the sturdiest and strongest pair of gloves you will find.

7. Fingerless Gloves

Fingerless gloves are essentially worn for sun protection. They are lightweight, thin, and stretchable, adding an edge of comfort. Fingerless gloves are made of cooling fabric that blocks the sun rays while making your hands agile when using your mobile or touch screen.

Fingerless gloves are also a good choice for outdoor leisure time. Wear them when you’re out for gardening, a thrilling ride, or even some fun hiking.

Fingerless gloves are a little bit different from wrist warmers. They are the difference between the simple and feisty fashion. While wrist warmers partially cover your palm and the entire length of your wrist, fingerless gloves have cut-out finger shapes that look absolutely chic.

If you’re into the “good girl gone bad” concept, fingerless gloves in dark colors can really bring a feisty personality. They are also more practical than normal gloves because the fingers are still exposed.

Many people don’t wear gloves because they make it difficult to perform certain tasks. For example, if you want to operate your touchphone, you may need to take off your gloves. Fingerless gloves, on the other hand, not only keep your hands warm but also allow agility and convenience.

8. Christmas Gloves

Christmas gloves intricately knitted and hand-sewn. They are a good choice for a festive, holiday fashion, which is why Melania Trump chose to wear them, right when she began decorating a Christmas tree.

No matter how low the temperatures get, Christmas gloves will always keep you warm. They are versatile and retain their quality even after the toughest washes. Being slightly thicker, they keep the spaces between your fingers extra-warm.

Traditionally knitted by hand, so you can also get your initials or an attractive holiday pattern stitched into it. While black and grey are the most commonly worn shades, navy blue and maroon look lovely too.

You can feel the chunky knits and cashmere-soft texture of these wonderful gloves. They’re easy to wear and take-off and keep out the roughest of colds. These gloves are knitted by hand, so you can gift them to a loved one.

9. Button Gloves

Button gloves are tailor-made for every-day winter wear. Even when button gloves aren’t really a popular choice, they can easily help you pull off a stylish urban look if paired with the right outfit.

You’ll probably be a fan of these if we told you they’re Meghan Markle’s favorite. Button gloves are traditionally hand-knitted and therefore extremely soft. They look extremely appealing in shades of grey, brown, green, and camel.

If you’ve been facing allergies or irritations between your fingers and on your hands lately, then button gloves are a wonderful choice. The material is not only calming against the skin but will also keep your hands warm and snug.

10. Elastic Velvet Gloves

Velvet gloves are known for their regal soft touch. They are elastic, stretchable, and breathable. they are the most stylish and chic winter accessory, velvet gloves perfectly complement the Christmas theme.

If you’re ever invited to a costume holiday party or are planning to host a festive dinner yourself, make sure to sport a pair of velvet gloves. They’re not just the softest and smoothest to touch but also look gorgeous in a short dress.

11. Arm Warmers

Sometimes a simple fashion choice can make you look elegant; a pair of jeans, a favorite side-cross-bag, or a pair of simple wrist warmers can look absolutely lovely.

The easy-to-wear wrist warmers keep the delicate part of your arms super-warm and cozy. If you’re feeling fancy, you can stick a few sparkly beads on your wrist warmers and wear them outside.

The best thing about a pair of simple wrist warmers is that they complement every outfit – from a simple sweatshirt and jeans to a fancy dress.

Wrist warmers are the perfect choice for those not-so-cold winter days when the breeze is gentle enough to stroll the streets.

12. Driving Gloves

Driving gloves give your hands superior control over the wheel of the car. You have more grip and agility, which can make driving on the highways a super-fun experience. By preventing your hands from sweating and getting oily, they also help you preserve the wheel.

Driving gloves can make the job extremely easy even during extreme temperatures. And above all, they give off a daredevil look and are extremely stylish.

13. Weightlifting Gym Gloves

If you’re a rough and tough girl who likes to work out frequently, then weightlifting gym gloves are your ideal workout accessory. Wear them on your trip to the gym or any high-intensity workout. They give you a strong grip over objects, protect your hands from injuries, and help increase your muscle mass.

Don’t try to lift heavy things without a comfy pair of gym gloves. They can protect your hands from strains and help them maintain a good posture. As they are made from thick cotton pads, they keep your hands safe from dangerous impact.

14. Faux Fur Gloves

Faux fur gloves usually have the main material around the wrist of the glove. The fur trim gives off quite a cozy look and is perfect to pair with a formal party dress. Although you may need thicker gloves to beat the harsh winter spells, faux fur gloves are ideally worn during temper climes.

You can pair them up with a draping cape coat or a long trench coat. These gloves are both sophisticated and fancy.

15. Fish Neon Gloves

Fingerless fishnet gloves are perfect to wear for those indoor, cozy parties in the winter. You can conveniently wear them when the temperatures are pleasant. They’re super-thin and woven with a delicate net giving off an alluring yet elegant look. Thinnet gloves can be paired with a long co*ck-trail dress or can be worn over a formal skirt and blouse.

They have fishnet cutouts and perfect holes for your fingers and thumbs to stick out. Giving off an 80s vibe, fishnet gloves are wonderful for enhancing your costume style. You can wear them for dance events and retro parade celebrations.

They are stretchable and glow in the dark, making them perfect for Halloween.

16. White Parade Gloves

White costume gloves are worn by women participating in royal parades, funerals, and other royal services. If you’re a fan of the Macy’s Day Parade or wish to join a marching band to express your patriotism, then white parade gloves are an excellent choice.

So, here it is – all the different types of gloves for women that you could possibly find. Pair all these gloves with just about any look and people will love you for your unique, stylish taste.

B. Types of Gloves for Men

Gloves are mainly worn to protect the hands and fingers from cold, mud, sweat, burns, sharp object, and many other things. There are many different types of gloves that you can get, according to your needs.

For example, if you are a mountain climber, you may need gloves that are cold-resistant, waterproof, and provide you with a good grip. There are many types of gloves that are designed to protect the hands. Just personal protective gloves are part of an industry that is valued at $16 billion!

We have outlined a thorough guide on everything that you need to know about gloves.

Types of Gloves for Men

Gloves have evolved for different purposes and needs of men. They assist men in a lot of their daily activities, making them an essential part of daily life for many. Their various purposes mean that there are several different types of gloves. The types of gloves for men include:

1. Winter Gloves

The most common use of winter gloves is to protect the hands from cold. Continuous exposure to the cold can result in frostbite, which is a very dangerous condition that causes the fingers to freeze and fall off. Winter gloves are specifically designed to withstand the cold and sometimes are also waterproof. If your hands get damp, it can increase the likelihood of your fingers freezing.

2. Heavy-Duty Winter Gloves

Heavy-duty winter gloves are commonly used by men living in extremely cold climates, as well as skiers and mountain climbers. These heavy-duty gloves ensure that you will be safe from dangerous like frostbite which can be really painful for your fingers. In severe cases, frostbite can result in the loss of the finger entirely.

3. Touch Screen Gloves

Nowadays, such gloves have been re-invented to be compatible with touch screens. Previously, people had to take off their gloves in the extreme cold just to use their devices. Even a few seconds of exposure to extreme cold can damage the nerves in your fingers. You can now get gloves that protect your hands from the cold and enable you to use your devices in peace.

4. Fur-Lined Gloves

Fur-lined gloves are also common among men. A lot of men don’t prefer simple woolen mittens since they may seem informal or casual. Mittens may also not provide sufficient protection against the cold. Leather gloves lined with fur protect the hands against the cold, and they look really stylish on men. Leather also lasts longer, which means that it is a more cost-effective purchase than other types of gloves.

5. Protective Gloves

Protective gloves are designed to protect the hands from extreme temperatures, sharp objects, and burns. They are usually heat and cold resistant and are commonly used by men during manual labor. They need to be long-lasting and reliable since they have to withstand a lot of rough use every single day.

Protective gloves also provide a significant guard from harmful chemicals that can damage the skin. They are mostly made with canvas and leather since such material can withstand cold and hot temperatures well. These materials are also most likely to protect the hands from any shrapnel or metal since they are strong. Such gloves have been made compulsory in factories, construction sites, and other places with manual labor since they have such a significant role in worker safety.

6. Driving Gloves

Driving gloves were used when steering wheels were originally made from wood. Splinters could often hurt the fingers and polished wood could cause the grip to slip. They have become a staple for professional drivers on racetracks since they assist in gripping the steering wheel better.

Such drivers also drive for extended periods at a time, so driving gloves serve the function of protecting the hands from calluses and bruises. A lot of luxury car owners also use driving gloves since they prevent damage to the soft leather on the steering wheel and maintain the grip.

7. Military Fingerless Gloves

Fingerless gloves have no fingers or are cut from the first joint of the glove. These gloves are mainly used to protect the hands from harm and provide significant dexterity for the fingers. Police snipers and military persons are specially instructed to wear fingerless gloves since they need to press the trigger with their fingers at a moment’s notice.

Armed individuals need to be able to move their fingers freely and protect their hands while in the field. These gloves allow policemen to do their job without worries. These gloves are also popular among bikers, hunters, police snipers, military persons, photographers, fishermen, and many others.

8. Daywear Leather and Suede Gloves

Daywear gloves are usually made with really high-quality leather or suede. They fit snugly and are usually really thin gloves. They are often worn by men who are wearing business or formal attire during the day for any event. They aren’t usually worn during the summer months.

Leather or suede daywear clubs are usually worn for really formal events, but men may also wear them if they are concerned about germs. You will spot a lot of men wearing daywear gloves in public transportation where they have to touch handlers, railings, knobs, and poles. It is a great way to protect oneself from unnecessary exposure to germs.

9. Surgical/Medical Gloves

Medical gloves are disposable gloves that a lot of surgeons, nurses, and doctors use. They are mainly used to prevent any possible transmission of diseases through patients and healthcare professionals. Medical gloves are sterile, and they prevent any damage to the skin during an examination.

Surgical gloves have better precision in sizing and are often made with higher standards. This is because surgeries are very delicate processes that need to be handled carefully. If the glove is loose, it may cause a deadly mistake during the surgery.

10. Golf Gloves

Golf gloves have a lot of functions, but one of the main reasons is the grip. These gloves give a good grip to sweaty palms, keep the hands dry when it’s raining, and create the much-needed friction to excel at the game. Holding the golf club too tightly and repeating the swing can also cause calluses and blisters. Golf gloves keep golf players safe from experiencing blisters on their hands.

11. Gardening Gloves

If you like gardening, you need a good pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands. Repeated exposure to mud and water can damage the skin and nails of your hands. During gardening, people prick their fingers on thorns or splinters. It is also really important that your hands are protected from any kind of cuts as they can become infected due to the soil and germs.

Any soil-borne harmful bacteria, animal waste, or chemicals will not harm your hands if you are wearing a sturdy pair of gardening gloves. Wearing these gloves is a cost-effective way to protect your hands.

12. Convertible Gloves

Fingerless gloves may let you use your phone when you wish but otherwise don’t do much to protect you from the cold. The convertible gloves allow you to protect your whole hand while you are in the cold; you can convert the gloves to fingerless when you want to use your phone. This makes it really easy for runners who want to change their music while on a jog in the cold.

13. Food Servicing Gloves

Food servicing gloves are really important for food quality and public health. Failure to use such gloves increases the risk of illnesses and diseases. Anyone who has to prepare food with their hands should use gloves in order to ensure that the food is safe from any sort of bacteria. Wearing gloves while handling food is one of the best ways to prevent harm to public health.

14. Weightlifting Gloves

It is also really important for weightlifters to wear weightlifting gloves. They provide a better grip for weights, which makes it less likely for the weight to fall and hurt someone. These gloves also prevent sweat from making the weight slippery. They are also more comfortable to workout with since the cold metal weight isn’t particularly inviting. Weightlifting gloves also provide considerable support for the wrist.

15. Rubber Gloves

The History of Gloves

Gloves have been worn by people for centuries and have been well-documented in history. The narration of history shows that gloves have been around since the 8^thcentury.

They have been highlighted in Homer’s The Odyssey, where Laertes wore gloves to avoid the sharp brambles in his garden. Gloves have been documented in other works as well. In the History of Herodotus, Leotychides had a gauntlet full of silver that he had taken as a bribe.

The most common use of gloves in history was as chain-mail armor, usually used by knights and soldiers in the medieval times. These gloves were called gauntlets, and they were a necessary part of the armor since they assisted in defensive maneuvers against sharp swords. However, the use of gauntlets declined when archaic forms of war reduced.

Fashion evolved when royal families all over the world began to wear gloves embroidered with crests and jewels. Different kings were also buried with their gloves since they were such significant accessories for aristocrats. Several portraits of Kings showcase them holding their precious gloves in their hands. King John, King Henry II, and King Edward I were all buried with their gloves adorning their hands.

Gloves were then adopted by the Pope, cardinals, and bishops after nobles and kings encouraged such accessories. Kings and nobles wanted the Church to become a little opulent so that they wouldn’t look out of place next to royalty. Stories were circulated that luxury gloves were actually designed to ensure that the hands of the wearer remained clean while conducting mass and other proceedings at churches.

They became known as Pontifical or Episcopal gloves since they were specially designed for male priests, the Pope, cardinals, and bishops. Gloves were worn at the beginning of each mass sermon and discarded when the offertory began. They were a symbol of good work, carefulness, and purity, which is why they became so commonly associated with the Church so quickly.

Over time, gloves became a fashion statement since more and more women began to wear them as an accessory. They were usually made of silk or linen, which were soft enough to be worn daily. They reached the forearm of women and covered their elbows.

Gloves were really popular among women since they could be used to aromatize the body without using too much perfume. They were first seen as symbols of modesty, but then they were interpreted by displays of vanity. However, gloves became really popular when the Queen of England, Elizabeth, also adopted the style of embroidered gloves. She wore ornate gloves in front of all her guests to showcase her feminine hands.

Soon men began to adopt the gloves for more practical purposes as time went on. The first use of gloves was to protect the hands of drivers who constantly had to handle wooden steering wheels.

The gloves protected the hands from splinters from the wooden wheels and reduced calluses. Gloves soon became a staple to protect workers’ hands from heavy machinery, chemicals, and other harmful things at the factory.

Nowadays, gloves are popularly used as protection from frostbite in cold climates. Most men wear gloves due to some form of need, while previously they were mostly used as an accessory. Gloves have multiple uses now, which we will talk about in detail below.