In my opinion, gloves offer some comfort, but they aren't the final solution.
The advice by DnvrFox to focus on your riding style is good. Relax your fingers. Relax your elbows.
Also, check the handlebar height. If they are too low, you will put too much load on your hands which causes them to hurt and go numb.
Of course, part of it is just getting used to it and builting up your hand muscles and strength - just as you build up the rest of your body for long rides.
Jerseys and bicycle tights actually do help performance. I denied it for a long time, but now have to admit that it does work. The tight fit and sleek materials do reduce wind drag to a noticeable extent. Do bike jerseys wick away moisture faster/better than other clothing? It depends on the material comparisons. Coolmax and other materials do work well, but you can get good T-shirts of similar material from hiking supply stores as you pointed out