Women's Leather Gloves Guide: Lining, Length, Color and Fit

Short answer: start with the season, then pick lining, length and size in that order. Unlined or silk-lined gloves suit mild weather and a close fit. Cashmere or fleece lining suits cold weather. Short cuffs are the everyday choice, and longer cuffs are for coats with short sleeves or for evening wear. For size, measure around the widest part of your palm and compare it with the glove's own chart. You can compare current styles in our women's leather gloves range.

Which leather: lambskin, goatskin or cowhide?

The leather decides how soft the glove feels and how it ages.

• Lambskin: the soft, thin choice for fashion and dress gloves. It fits closely but marks and stretches more easily.
• Goatskin: tougher than lamb with a fine grain. It is a common choice for gloves that see daily use.
• Cowhide: thick and hard-wearing, but stiffer at first. It suits work gloves and gloves for riding.

Check the product page for the leather used in each pair. Our purple short gloves are 0.8-0.9 mm lambskin. For the wider differences between hides, see cowhide vs sheepskin vs goatskin.

Lining: the biggest factor for warmth

A lined glove fits tighter than an unlined one in the same size, because the lining takes up room inside. If you are between sizes and choosing a lined glove, size up. The blog has a closer look at a cashmere lined fashion glove.

Cuff length: short, wrist, mid and opera

• Short or wrist length: ends at the wrist bone. Works with any coat and is the easiest to put on and remove. The purple lambskin short gloves are an example, unlined and in the same style as the other colors we list.
• Mid or bracelet length: ends a few inches above the wrist. Covers the gap between glove and sleeve in cold wind.
• Long or gauntlet-style: reaches mid-forearm. It tucks inside a coat cuff, and it suits tailored coats and driving.
• Opera length: reaches the elbow or above. It is a dress and costume length and is best with short or three-quarter sleeves.

A simple rule: the cuff should meet the coat sleeve with no bare skin showing. If your coat sleeves are short, choose a longer glove.

How to measure your hand

1. Wrap a soft tape around your dominant hand across the widest part of the palm, just below the knuckles, with the thumb out of the way.
2. Note the measurement in inches. Many glove charts match this figure to a size from XS to XL, or a numeric size.
3. Measure the length from the base of the palm to the tip of your middle finger. Long fingers on a narrow palm may need a size up.
4. Compare both figures against the product's size chart. Different makers use different sizing, so do not assume your size from another brand.

New leather stretches slightly with wear, especially lambskin. A glove that feels snug at first will usually settle. One that is loose at the start will only get looser.

Color guide

• Black: the default, and the easiest to match with coats and handbags.
• Brown or tan: softer than black and good with camel, olive and navy.
• Red, burgundy, purple: a single bright accessory for a dark coat. Keep the rest of the outfit quiet.
• Grey and neutral shades: suit grey wool coats and give a lighter look.

For outfit ideas, read leather gloves as a fashion piece.

Care in brief

Let wet gloves dry naturally away from radiators and direct heat. Store them flat or loosely stuffed with tissue. For our lambskin gloves, wipe them with a soft dry cloth after wear, dry them flat away from heaters and use a little leather conditioner a few times a year. Test any cleaner on a hidden area first. The guide to caring for leather clothing covers the basics that apply to gloves too.

When these are not the right gloves

Fashion gloves are not protective gloves. If you ride a motorcycle, look for gloves made for riding, with the construction and standards that come with them, such as the ones covered in our EN 13594 gloves explainer. Browse custom motorcycle gloves for that purpose.

FAQs

What are the best women's leather gloves for winter?

Choose a cashmere or fleece lining, a mid or long cuff, and a size that leaves room for the lining without being loose.

Should leather gloves be tight?

They should be snug, with no folds of leather at the fingertips and no pressure across the knuckles. Leather stretches a little, so a glove that is already tight is too small.

What is the difference between ladies' short and opera gloves?

Short gloves end at the wrist for everyday use. Opera gloves reach the elbow or beyond and are mainly for evening and costume wear.

Are lined leather gloves worth it?

For cold weather, yes. Lining adds warmth without much bulk. In mild weather unlined gloves give better finger feel.

Can I order women's leather gloves made to my size?

Check the size options on each pair's product page. Our purple lambskin short gloves come in standard sizes only, XS to 3XL, and cannot be made to measure. See the custom leather gloves page for other options.

Ready to choose? Compare colors, lengths and linings in our women's leather gloves collection.