The London Lounge

Gents, following the helpful suggestions I received on bags, I thought I would mine the knowledge of the Lounge for some thoughts on gloves.

I currently use a fur-lined tan suede pair for the winter and I have a black leather pair for a chilly spring morning. The latter needs replacing.

I would primarily wear them with a navy or black coat or occasionally, a navy or grey suit sans coat. I was thinking that a brown leather would be the sensible option, probably unlined.

I would appreciate any suggestions on colour. While I am tempted by a bold colour like yellow or perhaps a light blue, I suspect that it might be a bit too 'showy' so some sort of brown seems, to me at least, a more sensible option.

Also, is there any advantage to have having the stitching internal or external, or is it merely a question of personal preference?

What would members of the lounge consider an appropriate minimum wardrobe for gloves? (excluding specialist gloves such as skiing, shooting, driving etc... and focussing on the more everyday needs).

I look forward to your thoughts.

I have a pair of ivory suede gloves that are immensely versatile. Suede gloved can be dressed up or down in general, however, the ivory colour enhances this quality even further. They go as splendidly with a tweed coat on the weekends as with a navy suit out on the town.

I tend to agree with the few who think leather accessories like gloves and bags should always be brown and don't need to match shoes or belt. Like J.S. Groot, I also used a pair of ivory suede gloves for a while, but at some point I decided to give them away to simplify my wardrobe and stick to the essentials. Dark brown, unlined, works very well for me.

Dear Dangleberry,

given the investment is not that large, I would suggest that you start with a pair of unlined peccary gloves in brown colour and add an ivory suède as soon as you can.

Cheers, David

Good advice. Also, given the garments you mention as complements, you might add a pair of unlined (or silk lined) light- to mid-grey suede gloves. A coarse suede or rustic make in this color will look too much like builder's gloves, but a fine, even suede with careful sewing can be very elegant.

Last I checked, Pickett in the Arcade still had some pairs of yellow chamois gloves as well, which could also be striking if not too assertive a color for your taste. They are vulnerable to soiling, but unlike many gloves can be carefully washed.

Thanks to all for taking the time to advise. Ivory suede sounds like good advice worth pursuing. JS Groot, what lining, if any, do your own suede gloves have?

I actually prefer the look and feel of suede although I would be tempted to go for a wool lining to make them a much warmer glove for winter; although I do appreciate Couch's advice that this might run the risk of looking like builder's gloves.

Perhaps one such pair and a pair of dark brown, unlined, as suggested by Frederic Leighton. Frederic, are these with external stitching?

Thanks.

Dangleberry wrote:[...] I actually prefer the look and feel of suede although I would be tempted to go for a wool lining to make them a much warmer glove for winter; although I do appreciate Couch's advice that this might run the risk of looking like builder's gloves.

Dangleberry, I think the risk is that coming from a too coarse/rough texture of suede, rather than from the use of lining. I avoid lining anyway; I like the closer fit of unlined gloves.

Dangleberry wrote:Perhaps one such pair and a pair of dark brown, unlined, as suggested by Frederic Leighton. Frederic, are these with external stitching?

Yes, external stitching. Very comfortable.

couch wrote:Last I checked, Pickett in the Arcade still had some pairs of yellow chamois gloves as well, which could also be striking if not too assertive a color for your taste. They are vulnerable to soiling, but unlike many gloves can be carefully washed.

Very soon Picket will no longer be in the Arcade but will be moving to what was the art dealers at the top of Albany on Burlington Gardens.
https://www.pickett.co.uk/news-events/we-are-moving/

As for gloves - brown leather in whatever shade suits you best and definitely lined for winter use.

Hm, I was certain that I had posted a reply to this thread and now it has vanished. Queer.

Anyhow, with regards to lining: Mine are lined in suede. I assume they have been made like this rather than unlined because with unlined suede you'd have the skin-side of the leather on the inside of the glove, which in my head would be odd. I might be entirely wrong, though. My experience with gloves is not extensive. I must admit, however, that although the gloves are expertly made by Merola, the suede lining is not quite ideal. Perhaps silk would have been better.

I have a small assortment of gloves, almost all of them unlined and I like it that way. If the leather and stitching is of great quality, lining is only necessary for really harsh conditions and otherwise just gets in the way.

I wear the peccary and brown the most, they are very versatile. Brown can go with anything.

Other than Pickett, does anyone have further recommendations for places to purchase good leather gloves? Thanks.

Fabius wrote:Other than Pickett, does anyone have further recommendations for places to purchase good leather gloves? Thanks.

Dear Fabius,

Dents gloves, Budd, Merola, Luvaria Ulisses in Lisbon to name a few.

Cheers, David

Mazzoleni also makes solid gloves.

In Paris, Lavabre Cadet makes some truly exquisite (and expensive) gloves. Their kidskin specimens are a treasure. They used to have an independant store in the galleries of Jardin Royal, but as I understand it they are now the house glove maker of some or another high end store in Rue Cambon.

Many thanks for the pointers. Shopping around several nice places is much more fun!