Glove it up! The hottest fashion trend this winter

New Delhi: Do you often end up rubbing your hands to warm yourself up or tuck them in the pockets of your sweater, jacket or jeans to battle the winter? What would you do in a dress? Get your hands on to myriad gloves - laced, studded, hand crocheted, zipped and woollen, to keep yourself snug and stylish.

Given the variety available in the market - both flea and designer - it is easy to choose a pair for every occasion and regular wear. Pick bright colours like green, purple and pink in fabrics like wool, leather and polyester. Designer Nidhi Munim said while gloves serve the basic purpose of protecting from the winter chill, they add zing to an outfit. But be careful while you make your pick, she suggested. "Hand crocheted fingerless gloves keep your hands warm, while leaving your fingers free for other use. For a slight feminine touch, choose for ones with bows embedded on them. Zipped hand warmers made out of wool are also in trend. They are a must have pair for those who want to keep their style youthful and trendy," Munim said. "Also, neon-coloured knit hand warmers are great this winter. They make a spunky choice on days when your outfit spells sober colours. Crochet gloves can be a great Christmas gift this winter. Animal print mittens made of artificial fur are also in vogue," she added. Gloves are considered an international style statement - sometimes a red carpet favourite, at times a must have accessory for formal events like a wedding or a concert. Fashion icons like Paris Hilton, Madonna and Beyonce Knowles have sported them on more than one occasion. Among Bollywood celebrities, Kangna Ranaut and Sonam Kapoor have taken cue from the trend too. For designer Aniket Satam, lace gloves in bright colours are making their entry in the fashion world in a big way. "Delicate lace gloves are elegant accessories for cocktail soiree and also suede gloves are in trend for winter. Classic black, cocoa brown, ivory, burgundy and navy blue work for every occasion. If one opts for velvet gloves, then colours like poison green, deep purple and mustard yellow work best," he said. Girls with long and slender arms can go for the "classic long length gloves". "Long gloves are lovely this season. They certainly look stunning if teamed up with short cocktail dresses as well with shirts and skirts for that formal look. But one needs a lot of confidence in carrying the look," said designer Mrunal Yangad. Don`t forget to choose the right fabric and fit. "If you need gloves for daily wear, go in for thin and light materials like spandex or polyester. Even fleece is a good option for casual wear. If it`s heavy physical activities like snowboarding or skiing, then get gloves in a thicker material like wool," said Munim. In terms of size, she said: "Pick a pair that is actually your size. There are some who believe that loose garments help you stay warm. While that may be true for sweaters and jackets, gloves are the exact opposite. "The length of the cuffs is also important when you buy gloves. For a pair of casual gloves, you can get a pair that has cuffs long enough to be tucked under your jacket or sweater sleeve. For formal or dressy gloves, you can opt for really short ones or an elbow-length one," she added. For an evening out, why not jazz it up with some jewellery? says designer Sumit Sawhney of Apala Innovative jewellery. "It is the new trend these days with women flaunting their diamond bracelets, chunky rings and solitaire over gloves. Royals in western societies loved the idea of wearing gloves, and that style is back in fashion with women sporting these accessories in order to show off their jewellery," said Sawhney. The price range of the gloves depends on your choice - you could pick one from the street for as less as Rs. 50, but for a designer pair, expect to splurge anything over Rs. 1,000. IANS