Whether your fingers have been cold far too many times before, or that they are the next must have item to complete your wardrobe, when done right the ladies’ leather glove is a completely indulgent piece of clothing. This is a short guide to finding the right piece of luxury to suit your needs.

Ladies’ leather gloves are an accessory, and therefore not essential. You must first pick a pair that you like the look of, because if you do not love them there is a large chance that they will be left at home, or even worse, forgotten somewhere. A pair that you like will be remembered when you put them down, and will have a larger chance of perfectly complimenting an outfit. The largest selection of gloves is on the internet, so have a good browse to find a pair that you like, keeping in mind the rest of the advice of this article.

We can be thankful that glove sizes come in more than the basic small medium and large – as I’m sure you don’t want to refute the old cliché by wearing a pair that doesn’t fit well. Wrap a tape round the lowest knuckle of your little finger to its counterpart on the index finger of your dominant hand. Then, round that number up to the nearest half inch to get your glove size (multiply by 2.54 if you measured in centimetres).

It is essential to go for quality leather and good workmanship when picking a pair of ladies’ leather gloves. Your hands are very rarely stationary, and this means that poor quality items will wear and fray exceptionally quickly. Leather should look, feel and smell so tasty that you consider eating them instead of wearing them. Moreover, a pair of gloves has a lot of seams where poor workmanship will easily let you down. Choosing the cheapest pair of women’s leather gloves you can find is in fact a false economy.

• To avoid this problem, ladies’ leather gloves should be at least made from Nappa or Napa leather, as its namesake tanning process means that it is soft and strong.

• For those wishing for even more quality, I would recommend Hairsheep leather, which is made from a sheep that has been bred to grow hair, not wool. It is particularly suited to gloves as the grain is finer than other types; meaning it is extremely supple, soft, and buttery, while still retaining the strength.

• Deerskin leather is naturally tougher than sheep or cow leather; it is therefore more expensive, but more durable than the previous types while still being luxurious.

• Finally, peccary leather is the finest leather for gloves. Sourced from a South American wild pig, it is simply the most glamorous, softest and strongest and expensive – need I say more?

Once the leather has been decided, the next step is to take a look at the linings. These help create a significantly more luxurious experience with ladies’ leather gloves, and are comfortable and practical. My personal preference is natural materials over synthetic as they are breathable, good insulators and maintain a flexibility that complements the elegant movements of the hand.

• Wool is hard wearing and warm, but sadly is not as comfortable as other materials.

• Silk is the most versatile, and as such is the typical lining for ladies’ leather gloves. It is light and smooth, and it can be both cool and warm.

• Cashmere is gorgeously cosy and soft on the hand, as well as elegantly light.

• Rabbit fur is for those who want something gloriously different, evoking Hollywood glamour or vintage elegance.

With that in mind now we come to the issue of use. Each type of glove have different needs so will favour different lining and styles.

Driving gloves – these ladies leather gloves are iconic in design. They must be a tight fit, and employ knuckle and finger ventilation holes to improve movement. The short cuffs are perfect for showing off dainty wrists. The big decision here is whether they match your clothes or the car.

Winter gloves – here, keeping you warm is the priority. Linings with light and warm materials like cashmere are perfect. If you want to have a bit more of an edge, why not try rabbit fur? Don’t forget to match to your outdoor scarf, hat and coat though.

Pure fashion piece – matching your outfit is paramount with these ladies’ leather gloves. Use interesting buckle designs, stitching and shades to make a statement. Match your individual style to the leather tones, shape and lining, going for strong or subtle as you see fit.

Dress gloves – these are the workhorses, but should look like a thoroughbred. Their need to be versatile suggests that a silk lining would be best, alongside plain styling. Because of this, the best materials you can afford should be used as the quality will speak for itself.

For a good place to start your search for ladies’ leather gloves or indeed, other luxury accessories, click on the link below.