Cooking, gardening, or just tidying up around the house, there is one item that can withstand all of these tasks and still look incredibly stylish. And no, we’re not talking rubber gloves. We’re talking aprons!
An apron is a protective garment worn over other clothes and covering the front part of the body. Many apron types are made from various fabrics and used in many different settings, from homes to restaurants, artisan workshops, flower studios, etc. Aprons are popular with both men and women, and even children.
But where does the tradition of wearing an apron come from, and why should you choose different types for different occasions – these questions and more we’ll try to answer in this article.
A short history of aprons
It’s hard to pinpoint when was the first apron created, but some sources claim aprons were used by many ancient civilizations, including Egyptians who wore them during rituals and ceremonies. Ancient gods are often depicted wearing aprons that were later adopted by priests and even featured in the Bible.
The word itself comes from the French word napperon meaning a small decorative tablecloth, like a placemat. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, aprons were so distinguished you could indicate a person’s trade by it: barbers donned checkers, butchers wore blue stripes, butlers wore green. Women of the day wore beautifully embroidered washable aprons to protect their expensive gowns.
In the 19th century, when sewing machines became widely used, the traditional apron saw a rise in new styles involving bibs, ruffles, lace. However, as our clothes became cheaper and easier to care for, the popularity of protective aprons has dropped but we are seeing an increase again.
The many functions of an aprons
Throughout the ages, apron were equally worn by women and men. However, stereotypically, women donned kitchen aprons around the house while cooking or cleaning, and men’s aprons were more suited for garden work, grilling, barbecuing.
Nowadays, when the line between gender roles is almost blurred out, aprons have become more or less unisex and can serve many different purposes depending on the fabric.
Cotton and linen are best used for kitchen, garden apron, basically anything that involves working with dry materials. Linen is especially wonderful because it dries out very quickly and is naturally dirt-repellent so your linen apron will stay clean and crisp for a long time. Leather aprons are popular with people whose work involves working with heat, fire, chemicals, rubber, or nylon aprons are good for those who deal with liquids a lot, like lab workers or painters.
Learn more about the most popular kitchen apron types below.
Bib aprons
Bib apron, also called a chef apron, is universally the most popular apron type. It provides full-body coverage protecting the torso and ending at the knees, features side or front pockets, and comes with a loop or ties around the neck and waist. It is perfect for those who need to fend off spills, splashes, heat, dirt, etc. However, bib apron can feel restricting so if you need to move around, a different style can serve you better.
Waist aprons / Half aprons
Waist apron, also called server apron or half apron, is very common in the hospitality and catering industry. It is usually pretty short covering the hip area and ensuring easy leg movement. Waist apron come with front pockets to hold pens, pads, and other small items.
Dishwasher Aprons
These waterproof apron come in full-length designs that extend past the knees. This is particularly helpful for the dish room, as your staff is more prone to encounter large splashes. They are made of water-resistant materials and some are heat-resistant, fire retardant, and cut-resistant. These aprons will help protect clothing and skin when exposed to build-up on pots, equipment dirt and debris, grease, and chemicals.
Who Should Buy Dishwasher Apron:
- Dishwasher apron are specially designed to help your dishwashers stay dry as they clean high volumes of dishes in your restaurant, hotel, cafeteria, or assisted living community
How to Wash Dishwasher Apron:
Made of neoprene or vinyl materials, these aprons can easily be cleaned and maintained by simply wiping them off with a rag.
