Gloves
Most purposes are protective and a few decoratives thrown in for good measure.
Protectives
1. Fire - obvious.
2. Cold - in winter and high lattitudes.
3. Cold - ejection/bail out at the higher altitudes.
4. Injury protection when fumbling around some poorly finished cockpits/flight decks having protruding screws and sharp edges.
5. Finger retention for those who persist in wearing rings against military orders to the contrary. How many have lost fingers resulting from a ring which gets caught up on some protrusion when exiting from a fighter type aircraft.
Decoratives and dual purpose.
1. Some Captains' affectation
2. As Uniform - VIP aircrew