A glove is a piece of clothing worn to cover the hands. Gloves have separate openings for each finger and the thumbs. Gloves that do not have separate fingers, and cover the entire hand are called mittens. Gloves serve many functions, and there are many different types of gloves for each function.

Depending on its intended function, there are many different types of materials gloves can be made from. Some examples of the types of materials used include cloth, wool, leather, rubber, latex, neoprene, and even metal. Gloves could also be made from Kevlar to protect the wearer from cuts.

Gloves can keep your hands warm during cold weather, can protect your hands from physical damage, or they can guard your hands from materials that bear hands should not touch. For example, healthcare professionals routinely wear latex, rubber, or nylon gloves for hygienic reasons. Police officers also wear these gloves to prevent contaminating a crime scene.

Sometimes gloves do not have to be functional. They can also be worn for fashion purposes. Women have been using gloves as a fashion accessory for years. During the later part of the 20th century, however, wearing gloves simply for fashion has become less desirable. Some ladies still wear them during formal occasions, such as weddings and church on Easter Sunday. Womens formal gloves come in three lengths: wrist, elbow, and opera, or full length. The full length gloves are the most expensive of the three. They reach up to the bicep area of the womans arm. Such gloves are typically custom made. There are, however, mass produced brands that are much more manageable for a person on a budget.

Whether it is for a special occasion, sports, or work, there is a type of glove for just about any situation. Picking the right one will not be difficult.