Gloves, Mittens and Ear Warmers: What to Wear in Winter

For plain warmth, mittens beat gloves, and a headband-style ear warmer or earmuffs cover your ears with less fuss than a hat. Fingerless gloves are the stylish compromise: they keep your palms and wrists warm while your fingers stay free for a phone, a coffee cup or a zipper.

Here is how to choose between the options, build a matching set, and wear fingerless gloves so they look deliberate rather than improvised.

Do gloves or mittens keep you warmer?

Mittens usually do. Your fingers share one space and warm each other, and there is less surface area for heat to escape. Gloves give each finger its own sleeve, which is better for dexterity but lets fingers cool faster.

Fingerless gloves are the least warm of the three, because your fingertips are exposed. They suit cool days, commutes, and layering under a longer sleeve. On a truly freezing day, switch to mittens or wear a thin full-finger glove under a pair of fingerless ones.

Pick by what your hands need to do

Standing still outdoors: mittens.
Typing, driving, handling keys: fitted gloves or fingerless gloves.
Both in one day: convertible flip mittens, where the mitten cap folds back to free your fingers.

Do gloves actually keep your hands warm? Check the fabric

Material matters as much as the cut. Wool, cashmere blends and fleece-lined knits hold warmth well, and leather blocks wind. If you are sweating from a walk or a run, the layer touching skin should wick moisture. Howdy Health at Texas A&M recommends moisture-wicking material closest to the skin and says to avoid cotton, because it absorbs moisture and can keep it next to your skin, which makes you cold.

For active days, see insulated gloves for frosty winter runs. For a sleeker commute option, fitted knit gloves are worth a look.

What to wear to keep your ears warm

Ears have little tissue to hold heat, so they feel the cold fast. A fleece or knit ear warmer band covers them without flattening your hair the way a beanie can. Earmuffs add a firm layer of insulation and sit well with a polished coat. A hat covers the ears too, but only if it pulls down far enough.

If you wear glasses, a thin band is usually more comfortable than bulky earmuffs. Choose soft, non-itchy yarn, since ears are sensitive to scratchy fibers.

Matching sets: gloves, mittens and ear warmers together

Ear warmer and glove sets take the guesswork out of coordinating, and they are easy to find in knit, fleece and faux-fur versions. A few things to check before buying:

Touch screen fingertips, if you use your phone outdoors. A touch screen mittens and ear warmer set usually has a conductive thumb and index finger patch.
Convertible flip mittens and earmuffs, if you want one set for both warmth and dexterity.
Stretch in the cuff, so wind does not slip up your sleeve.

Sets are sold for men, women and kids. Check the sizing chart, because gloves should fit snugly without squeezing.

How to style fingerless gloves

Fingerless gloves carry a bit of an edge, a nod to punk, but in leather, ribbed cashmere or fine wool they look polished. Treat them as part of the outfit, not an afterthought.

Fingerless gloves styled with a winter coat as part of a cold-weather outfit

Choose color by contrast

Neutral gloves in black, gray, beige or camel go with almost everything. If your coat is bold, keep the gloves quiet. If your outfit is muted, a deep red, mustard or cobalt pair becomes the accent. Through the lens of evidence-based design, I'd think of a bright glove as the first thing the eye lands on at the end of your sleeve, so pick a color you want noticed.

Pair of knit fingerless gloves showing texture, styled for a winter look

Mix textures

A cable-knit glove against smooth wool reads richer than the same texture twice. Leather gloves with a knit sweater, or ribbed knit gloves with a belted coat, give contrast without extra color. Try them alongside a turtleneck sweater for a clean line from neck to wrist.

Winter outfit with fingerless gloves worn at the wrist under a coat sleeve

Close view of fingerless gloves paired with winter accessories

Match the fit to your hands

Fitted leather or stretch knit looks sleek on smaller hands. Chunkier, oversized knits add volume and balance a larger coat. In both cases the cuff should sit snug at the wrist so it does not bunch under your sleeve.

Fitted fingerless gloves worn with rings and layered winter clothing

Layer with jewelry and sleeves

With your fingers exposed, rings become part of the look. Bangles can sit over a knit cuff, and a striped long sleeve peeking out from under the glove adds a layer. For more outfit ideas, browse chic winter outfits and scarves, gloves and beanies.

Neutral fingerless gloves paired with a wool winter coat

Care so they last

Wipe leather gloves clean and store them somewhere cool and dry. Hand-wash knit and cashmere pairs in gentle detergent and dry them flat. If you like the leather look, leather gloves styled for winter covers it in more detail.