The Complete Handbook of Costume Gloves

Chapter 1: Understanding Costume Gloves

What a Costume Glove Actually Is

A costume glove is a hand covering made to serve a character, not a chore. It differs from a fashion glove, which is worn to complete an outfit in a contemporary setting, and from a work glove, which is designed to protect the hand from abrasion, heat, or chemicals. A costume glove's primary function is to communicate visual information: the era, the class, the profession, or the supernatural condition of a fictional person. A pair of off-white kid leather gloves on a stage can suggest a 1920s dandy or a Victorian undertaker. The same pair in bright red PVC, with elongated fingers, belongs to a cartoon villain. The material, color, and construction all send a message, and the costumer's job is to make sure that message is legible from the front row, the camera close-up, or across a convention hall.

In practical terms, a costume glove is a manufactured accessory that must satisfy three often conflicting requirements. First, it must photograph or read correctly under stage lights, which means the color and texture must not reflect glare or appear muddy. Second, it must fit the actor's or wearer's hand well enough to allow for natural movement, gripping, and gesturing - a glove that is too tight will restrict a sword fight, and a glove that is too loose will slide around when the wearer tries to type or handle a prop. Third, it must survive the intended use. A