Aprons: Do You Wear Them?
Or Are They "Antiques" Worn by Your Mothers and Grandmothers?
So why don't we wear them today?? We don't even use the half aprons. Isn't that silly? How many of you tend to spill things on your clothes and then get so upset because you don't want to approach your guests with stains on your outfit?
I do know that most chefs wear aprons, and there are also novelty aprons to give as gifts for many different occasions (including to the man who grills at your house!!). But how many of them are worn often?
One website offers vintage aprons from years ago in good condition!! Also mother and daughter matching ones!! And ones for dolls and even pets!!
You can get free directions for sewing an apron with one yard of material!!
One company makes handmade replicas of aprons from before the 1940's!
Rachael Ray used part of the apron idea of also being able to use the cloth as potholders when removing pans from the oven when she (Rachael) incorporated a combination pot holders and larger piece of fabric into one useful kitchen accessory.
All the above shows that there must be a resurgence of apron wearing that I had no idea existed.
Back to more history: Some aprons many years ago were made from flour sacks and others from prized pieces of fabric to be more dressy.
Aprons could be made or purchased and given as wedding shower or baby shower gifts - why use a towel over your shoulder when burping a new baby when you could use an apron that went over the whole dress?
Did your mother or grandmother use her apron to carry fruit, vegetables, and other items into the house from her garden?
How about drying eyes, or smoothing hair, or wrapping you in her arms to comfort you?
Did the new puppy or kitty find a place to snuggle?
Did the apron do a quick dusting job when necessary because unexpected company was knocking on the door?
I am happy to see that this delightful apparel has made a comeback!!
Would you share your memories and current apron wearings with me?
Published by Jackie Barlow
Lived FL since age 17 with family in FL and KS. Legal Asst. Had businesses and still a part-time Secretarial Service. Have had a variety of newsletters. Have a regular column and articles now and the... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentI wear aprons 24/7 and love it for the pokets and keep me clean
I wear aprons because I am a messy cook. I also make aprons and give them as gifts. I even have a couple of aprons I use as cafe curtains in my kitchen.
I wear an apron every day on my job and I love it. It protects my clothes and I like the way that I look in my apron.
It's my 2nd grader who got me into wearing aprons and inspired me to design aprons for kids like her, independent, and want to be able to put one on by herself. Check my newly launched site... all inspired by a 6 yr old! www.TieFreeApron.com
It seems like I haven't seen women wearing aprons for a long time.
I can remember wearing aprons to church to the womens home league meetings. My maternal grandmother almost always wore an apron. She would use it for everything, including making us grandkids blow our nose, yuck! I remember an aunt using hers to carry fruit in from the garden and she would snap peas or green beans into big deep apron pockets while watching us kids play. Great article...
I have never worn one but I read somewhere ( I can't remember where) that if a mother were to wear an apron, her children may give her more respect if she wore an apron. Hmmm, not sure if that is the case though. Interesting article
I usually just wear a different shirt. However, I now have a large set of "home" shirts. I like aprons, but it is hard to find a good one. Many of them seem more decorative than functional.
I've never worn one either. I guess I don't wear fancy enough clothes at home that I'd need to cover them. I do change out of a white shirt to eat spaghetti though:)
How funny, I don't think I ever saw my grandmother without her apron, and yet, I don't think I've ever worn one, and why not? Aprons make sense: I've ruined clothes from spattered grease and spagetti sauce stains.