Why cartoon characters wear gloves [video] (opens in new tab)

Why do animated characters wear gloves?

The reason why animated characters often wear gloves can be traced back to the early days of hand-drawn animation. The main theory is that gloves saved time for animators. Drawing rounded edges and simple shapes like circles and spaghetti-like arms was much faster than adding realistic details like elbows and knees. Since hands posed a problem in terms of visibility on fuzzy black-and-white film, gloves provided a clear contrast against the characters' bodies. Additionally, gloves brought non-human characters to life and made their gestures stand out, adding to their expressive appeal. However, there is another influence behind the tradition of animated characters wearing gloves that is rooted in vaudeville and blackface minstrelsy. Early cartoon characters were portrayed as mischievous and rebellious but good-natured, much like the characters in minstrel shows. Performers in early animation often performed on vaudeville stages, where they wore loose clothes, had painted faces, and wore white gloves. Although vaudeville declined in the 1930s, gloves remained as a part of the cartoon style that was expected by viewers. Overall, the tradition of animated characters wearing gloves can be attributed to practical reasons like saving time and providing contrast, as well as cultural influences from early stage performances and vaudeville shows.