FashBlog.com

Gloves are more than just covers for our hands. Gloves have a whole range of uses and reasons for being. You might have a pair of gloves you wear regularly when the winter winds begin to blow or the steering wheel of the car feels a bit frigid. But gloves can be worn for many more reasons. The next time you slip on a pair of gloves, or tragically lose one and not the other, think about our life without them.

In the early days of our great nation, when settlers made their way across the blustery Midwest to make their new homes, they had to make due with very little. Many times darned socks were worn on the hands in the place of gloves or mittens, and the wearers were quite thankful. If gloves were available, they were a precious commodity.

Today we have a plethora of shapes, sizes, materials and types of gloves for every occasion and to fit any sized hand. The most common types of gloves are those made for warmth. Skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers and other winter athletes appreciate the modern gloves which are thin and make it easy to use the hands, but they are also warm and often waterproof. Materials such as fleece and polypropylene are common in gloves made for warmth. Even those of us who simply must be out in winter conditions are grateful when we have a pair of thin, snuggly warm gloves to pull over our cold fingers.

The second most common type of gloves are those used for protection. Gardening, yard work, construction work and metal working all are much safer and easier with a good pair of gloves. There are even fire-proof gloves made now for the specific purpose of building a fire and not getting burned. Most work gloves are made from leather or a heavy canvas fabric that won't easily tear or wear out. Work gloves are used regularly by people ranging from the most trained shipbuilders to the most amateur gardeners.

Another common use for gloves is by athletes. Football players, hockey players, some golfers, skateboarders, and many people who ride horses common wear gloves for protection and as part of the uniform. Baseball gloves speak for themselves, but many a baseball player also wears gloves when swinging the bat. Gloves for athletes not only add a measure of protection to the hands, they also add pizzazz to the uniform.

One of the most beautiful uses of gloves is in formal occasions. A man wearing a black tuxedo for a wedding or other formal event might choose thin, black leather gloves to complete the look. Women have a whole range of glove options for their formal-wear, including wrist length gloves, forearm gloves and gloves that reach up and even past the elbow. These formal gloves are usually made of the finest materials to accentuate femininity, such as lace, silk, or satin, and they are usually found only in black or white, though other colors can be found. Wedding gowns are especially beautiful with a long, lacy pair of white gloves.