On days like these, with rain, wind and cold, people who come into our temporary shop at Corso Magenta 32 in Milan are looking first of all for something to keep their hands warm. After a look around the display, many ask to try art. 8 first: our men’s merino shearling gloves.
Slip on art. 8 and the first thing your hand meets is merino wool. Fine, soft and dense: for a hand coming in from the street, cold turns to warmth almost at once. The wool and the suede-like exterior are one and the same skin, seen from its two sides, and it is this natural construction that provides the insulation.
People trying them on don’t always know it, but there is a precise reason for that warmth. The wool forms thousands of tiny air pockets that hold it in, and it regulates temperature and moisture by itself. Your hands stay warm and dry, even when you leave the shop and step back out into the cold.
Then your eye moves to the outside. The suede-like surface is soft to the touch, velvety and hard-wearing. Three raised cords with visible stitching run down the back, recalling classic glovemaking. The seams between the fingers sit on the outside, and you can trace the work along their whole length. On the palm, close to the wrist, a small elasticated gather follows the line of the wrist. The cuff has a simple finish, with a row of stitches along the edge.
The style is understated and classic, with the relaxed character of shearling. It looks as right with a down jacket as with an overcoat. When the cold turns harsher, these men’s merino shearling gloves become a small refuge for your hands.
