Sizing Gloves

[Viviene]

I've read several different blogs on how to size gloves. My quandry is this. I have a pair of opera length leather gloves that are marked a size 7 and are marked Made in France. When measuring at the widest part around the entire glove the measurement is 6 inches. From what I've read on the blogs this makes the glove a size 6, not a size 7. No one in my household has hands that are smaller than 8 inches around at the widest point so I can't try the gloves on. Would you presume then that the gloves are a size 6 US? I have another pair of gloves from the same source and they measure 6 inches around as well. There is no give in either pair of gloves as they are both leather. Any assistance would be appreciated.

 

[Idledame]

Maybe they shrunk over time? I don't know if the sizing is universal. Certainly clothes and shoe sizes aren't.

 

[Viviene]

Thank you.

 

[Idledame]

I found this:
Width Measurement: Wrap a tailor's measuring tape around your dominant hand just below your knuckles (excluding your thumb), and make a fist. This measurement is your hand width glove size.

US Sizes
6-7 inches XS
7-8 inches S
8-9 inches M
9-10 inches L
10-11 inches XL
11+ inches XXL
EU Sizes
152 - 178 millimeters EU - 6
178 - 203 millimeters EU - 7
203 - 229 millimeters EU - 8
229 - 254 millimeters EU - 9
254 - 279 millimeters EU - 10
279+ millimeters EU - 11
I don't know how this really helps you, except maybe to figure out what size you're looking for in the future, if you buy something on Ebay.
I have noticed that kid gloves I've found have all been tiny. I assume the largers ones were worn out and handed down to other people until they were in shreds, whereas tiny ones survived and look new because almost no one could wear them.

 

[Viviene]

Thank you again for this information. This includes what I was missing which is the EU sizes. Since I purchase gloves that are not for my own use the sizing isn't such a problem. I'm just trying to make sure that when someone purchases the that they will fit them well rather and disappoint them by being too small. I want to make sure my listing information is accurate. Thank you again for your assistance.

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

I'm planning on buying a pair of these gloves: http://www.leatherglovesonline.com/...unlined-dress-leather-gloves.htm#page=details I measured my hand at a size 8, but I'm wondering how much these gloves will stretch with wear. Would it be advisable to get a size down?

 

[Fräulein U.]

I wear leather gloves every day and have a huge collection so I might be able to help. Quality gloves usually come in half sizes, and, if anything, half a size more or less might work. Going down a full size from your true size will most probably be too small.

New leather gloves should fit very snugly with the fingers being just long enough though. They all stretch from there, that's normal. If you go too small you either risk constriction of hand movement, tearing of seams and/or the fingers being too short (resulting in premature wear in the fingertips). I've bought gloves that were too small before if they were so pretty that I absolutely had to have them, and I always regretted it.

 

[imoldfashioned]

Very helpful as I have a passion for Opera gloves.

 

[Late to the Party]

I love gloves. I need a size 9. If I can find a 9 (I have 3 pair (not vintage)) the thumb and first finger are always too short. So I"m going to try making some. Some day.