Aprons – Modern Style for an Old Standard

When one thinks of aprons, generally an image of a housewife from the 50′s will pop into mind, due in no small part to the efforts of advertisers of the time trying to promote the apron as a stylish addition to any woman’s wardrobe. They came in all sorts of styles, but the most popular were the frilly, with an abundance of ruffles combined with a cute ribbon tie on the back. More than just a fashion statement, however, aprons were also invented for functional also.

An apron is pretty much a piece of cloth that you can wear in the front of your body, tying in the back and normally looping around the neck. Not only used to shield your clothes, aprons can also be vital for hygienic reasons in the case of hospital workers or those who work in messy environments. Nurses and people who work with children may also consider the use of an apron. The apron can be seen as just an adult version of a bib.

Aprons can be made in a variety of materials. The standard kitchen ones are generally cloth combined with lace, but in some industrial environments they can be produced with stronger materials like vinyl or rubber. Some household varieties are designed to be waterproof, and coated with PVC or constructed from oilcloth. They can cover only the lower half of the body or the whole front.

Traditionally associated with women and the need for protecting delicate clothing, the traditional barriers of apron-wearers have broken down over the decades. These days, aprons are worn by both men and women alike, and are even enjoying a fashion renaissance. With vintage looks on the rise, there has been a high demand for vintage aprons, with entire stores opening up to sell them, and high sales rates in online retailers such as EBay.

With so many styles and in different fabrics, there is an apron design for everyone. Whether one just wants to wear aprons as a fashion statement, or if you have a messy job to do, they are easy to locate in any kitchen store. Usually employers will provide the apron for their employees, in particular restaurant workers or people who work in fish canneries. One new function that has appeared in recent years is the use of the apron as a background for corporate logos or slogans, for professional chefs to promote their sponsors like the way athletes have logos on their clothes.