Glove Measuring
Historical records detail the existence and use of gloves back to pre-historic times, yet it wasn't until the 19th Century that a method for sizing gloves was devised.
In 1834 a man named Xavier Jouvin from Grenoble established a system of sizing gloves by measuring the hand around its widest part, the knuckles. Finger lengths varied and hands were grouped by comparing their widths. Jouvin's measurement system is called "Pied de Roi", or "King's Foot" and is about 1/4 of an inch longer than the English foot measurement. This system of measuring hands required the development of a special measuring tape, which is still used today for glove sizing. Glove sizes have therefore not been affected by metrication, and are usually sized from 4 - 10, plus quarter sizes. The hand that is used the most, usually the hand that the person writes with, is measured as it tends to be slightly larger; the size of the glove is the number shown on the measuring tape.
In addition, gloves are also sized according to the material used, cotton and leather gloves generally being sized from 6 to 10, in half sizes. A good fit ensures good wear and the fitting of a leather glove is as important as fitting a dress. Knitted gloves and mitts are classified as either 'small', 'medium' or 'large'. Gloves or mitts made from a combination of nylon yarn and other materials produce a 'one size' glove or mitt that will stretch to fit any hand from size 6 - 8.
If one is looking to size gloves into small, medium and large categories, the sizes would be as follows:
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Glove lengths are sometimes referred to in terms of 'button' lengths. The measurements are made from the base of the thumb to the top of the glove in inches; each button length being equal to one inch.
A one 'button' glove extends one inch from the base of the thumb to the top of the glove. A two button glove extends two inches, and so on, to twenty-button length (the equivalent of a twenty inch glove length). 8, 12, 16 or 20-button length gloves can be made with what is termed a 'Mousquetaire' finish; an opening that fits the wrist and is fastened with buttons.
The following chart illustrates clearly the different glove lengths:
