Gloves We Love To Give

TRENDSPOTTING | by DEBRA PRINZING

A SAVVY GARDEN GAL CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY GREAT GLOVES. Is there one on your gift list? All that planting, digging, raking, pruning and ― yes ― weeding makes for a gorgeous garden, but these tasks aren’t too kind to skin or fingernails. Hands are the hardest-working gardening tool! Here are my favorite garden-tested gloves:

SOURCE: ETHEL.COM

Ethel Gloves. Mechanix Wear, the company that supplies NASCAR pit crews with durable work gloves, has turned its attention to women’s hands. The result? Ethel Gloves, a pretty collection of all-purpose gloves that ensure you’ll fashionably accomplish any task in the garden (or around the house). Made with two-way stretch Spandex, an extended cuff, reinforced fingertips and a rubberized grip, Ethel is a gal’s glove. They come in several bold, modern and traditional patterns and colors, $20 (sizes S to L).

SOURCE: WEST COUNTY

West County Gloves. Designed by Beverly Schor, a cyclist and sports-apparel designer, these gloves combine technology, comfort and fashion. West County Gloves come in apricot, berry, lime or slate and are made with breathable, flexible fabrics (lightweight, open-mesh nylon backs and padded synthetic suede palms). The tall cuff fits higher on the wrist for extra forearm protection and an adjustable tab keeps out dirt and adds support, $25 (sizes XS to XL for women and men).

Foxgloves. Harriet Zbikowski, a landscape architect and professional horticulturist, designed these sleek and snug Foxgloves based on a pair of 1950s women’s dress gloves. The difference, of course, is her choice of modern fabric (a nylon-lycra blend with 4-way stretch) and colors that rival your flower bed’s (spring green, fuchsia, delphinium, iris and tulip). The durable knit fabric has “barehanded sensitivity,” ideal for planting, potting and weeding. Available in original, $20; and elbow-length “Elle,” $22.50 (unisex sizes S to L).