According to a recent survey conducted by the British Glove Association on its website Archive.org:www.gloveassociation.org only eight per cent of us know our glove size. However, for those followers of fashion interested in the 2004 glove renaissance, size (and length) will matter this autumn.

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 Zavier 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 Roe", or "King's Foot" and is about ¾ 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 is measured as it tends to be slightly larger. Usually this is the hand that the person writes with. The size of the glove is the number shown on the measuring tape.

In addition, gloves are also sized according to the material used. Leather gloves are available in the following sizes: 6, 6 ¼, 6 ½, 6 ¾, 7, 7 ¼, and 7 ½. A good fit ensures good wear and the fitting of a leather glove is as important as fitting a dress. Cotton and nylon gloves are available in the following sizes: 6, 6 ½, 7, 7 ½. 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.

For those interested in measuring up in time for Autumn, glove tape measures can be purchased from the British Glove Association's Secretariat details on www.gloveassociation.org.