Aprons For Every Job You Do

An Apron is an outer protective garment that covers primarily the front of the body. The word apron is from the metanalysis of the term "a napron" to "an apron".  The original spelling of napron has been lost. It was traditionally viewed as an essential garment for anyone doing housework.  Cheaper clothes and washing machines made aprons less common beginning in the mid 1960s in some countries such as the U.S. however the practice of wearing aprons remains strong in many places.

Aprons are worn in many commercial establishments to protect workers clothes from damage, mainly bib aprons but also others such as blacksmiths or farrier aprons. In addition to cloth, aprons can be made of a variety of materials. Rubber aprons are used by people working with dangerous chemicals and lead aprons are commonly worn by X-ray technicians who work near radiation. Carpenters aprons have many pockets to hold tools, nails, tape measures, and hammers.

The apron is commonly part of the uniform for several work categories: waitresses, nurses and domestic workers as well as many others. Many homemakers (aka domestic diva's) also wear them and now they appear as a decorative garment by women and little girls too. 

Today the apron has enjoyed a minor renaissance for both men and women who wear them when performing household and garden chores. They're versatile and make great gifts for all occasions and only your imagination limits you. Google "aprons" and every style, color and length is available. A basic distinction is between waist aprons (seen below) which cover the body from the waist down and a bib apron (seen above) covers the upper part of the body. 

An apron is usually held in place by ribbon-like strips of cloth that are tied in the back and a bib apron may either have a strap in around the neck (more common today), or shoulder straps that criss-cross in the back and attach to the waistband.  


Other types of aprons are pinafore and the cobbler and these aprons cover the sleeves.  Aprons have really come a long way and the hostess aprons like this one from Heavenly Hostess uses a lovely sheer fabric and is just wonderful to wear while hosting all your holiday events. Great gift for this holiday season too!

Aprons have always been in our lives my Mom and Grandmothers are in family photos wearing their wonderful aprons. Aprons are a great part of our history and with a glance you can tell who the workers of the households, shops, and farms because of the presence of their aprons. 


I have aprons for everything I do in the: kitchen, gardening, sewing, painting, even for design installations, etc. mine are made out of all sorts of fabrics too...how about you? 


Are you planning on gift giving any aprons this holiday season?


images google, wiki