Princess Charlotte's embroidered linen mittens
Among the fashion items in Kensington Palace are a pair of hand-embroidered mittens owned by Princess Charlotte, daughter of George 1V and Caroline of Brunswick (the Princess Diana of her day) who died tragically young in 1817 while in childbirth. Read more: Mail Online
Silk 18th C. mittens. Image @Metropolitan Museum
Your average 18th century mitt would have a thumb (or rather half a thumb), but not have any other fingers. It would sometimes extend not just over the hand but over part of the fingers as well. This meant that it would keep you warm (or protected from the sun in the summer) but not hinder your movements at all. You could do things like write, draw or do needlework with mitts on. And combined with a muff, they were quite enough even for venturing outside in the winter.” – Mitts & Fingerless Gloves
18th century mittens. Image @Metropolitan Museum of Art
Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates wearing lacy mitt gloves
Jane Austen's World 