With thousands of listings for winter gloves on Etsy, it's not hard to imagine just how many materials can be used to make these must-have accessories. The most popular are fibers used to make knit fabrics—such as wool, polyester, and wool-polyester blends. Pairs made from these materials are breathable yet retain body heat at the same time and because they're knits, they're stretchy, which makes choosing a glove size less daunting and unforgiving. Cashmere, angora, and mohair are also fibers used to make knit gloves warm, and they're oh-so-luxuriously soft, lightweight, and toasty.
Of course, you can also find artisans on Etsy making the instantly recognizable (thanks to movies and TV shows) leather and deerskin gloves. If they remind you of elegant actresses in old-timey movies and commercials, that's because they were incredibly popular in the 1940s; you can channel that sophisticated silhouette with unique vintage gloves in great condition on Etsy. They don't let water in, shelter your hands from chilly winds, and can be just as warm as wool mittens if they're lined with fleece. Before buying a pair, be sure to know what size glove you wear because leather gloves don't have any stretch.
If extra warmth is what you're looking for, you ought to look for thermal or insulated gloves. The insides are specially crafted to trap as much of your body heat as possible. Ideally, the gloves should stretch and mold themselves to your hands, so as to not let any cold air in. A piece of elastic at the wrist will make a big difference in keeping you warm.