The word “apron” actually originated from the word “naperon” which is a French word for a napkin or small tablecloth. And, some of you may be surprised to find that the apron did not start off as a piece of apparel worn singularly by women. Instead, aprons were mainly worn by men when they were first invented. These men wore the apron while completing work in such professions as: blacksmiths, farmers and gardeners, fishmongers, meat and wood carvers, furniture makers, leather smiths, cobblers, tailors, jewelers, metal forgers, clock makers, barbers, and stonemasons to name just a few.

Women “officially” donning aprons came about right around the turn of the 20th century, and originated in Victorian England. The matrons of Victorian England, at home, were the first to wear aprons on the domestic front (although there was really no need for them to wear an apron at all). These early aprons were almost always delicately hand embroidered and stitched to perfection. Most pioneer matrons proudly wore an apron, as well, and wore them for all the right reasons: to keep their clothes clean from all of the hands-on tasks that they had to complete throughout their long day. The pioneer matron’s apron was of a much more functional and much less dazzling design.

As the 1920’s roared around, women no longer wanted to be solely associated with the home front and aprons, which were once a symbol of “domestic pride”. According to apron author Teresa Coats, the apron was adopted more openly, as first intended, with a utilitarian purpose for those individuals serving those of the upper classes. In short, the matrons went out to play the maids stayed in and were bequeathed the aprons.

With the twentieth century warily marching on, aprons lost their pizzazz and domestic enthusiasm. In more rural areas, the apron was made commonly of cotton, smooth linen, and various other materials that were on hand feed or flour sack aprons were also fairly common of this time. The 1940’s brought with it gingham fabric and cheery bright cotton aprons to replace the plain white ones. This caused a brief period of resurgence of the apron.

With the twentieth century warily marching on, aprons lost their pizzazz and domestic enthusiasm. In more rural areas, the apron was made commonly of cotton, smooth linen, and various other materials that were on hand feed or flour sack aprons were also fairly common of this time. The 1940’s brought with it gingham fabric and cheery bright cotton aprons to replace the plain white ones. This caused a brief period of resurgence of the apron.

The years of World War II left many homemakers desolate and faced with only war rations for their families. They were once again required to use whatever was available to them to complete the daily tasks. They commonly used hand crafted accessories in the kitchen, including aprons, in a valiant effort to support the war.

After the war, fabrics such as rayon and polyester were discovered and introduced quickly to homemakers. These fabulous fabric choices gave the homemaker a much wider variety of colors and designs to choose from, and ultimately required very little, if any, ironing to look sharp and new. This made aprons a popular item once again causing them to be popularly provided as souvenirs for thousands of travelers to purchase and bring back home to family and friends.

With women safely tucked back into the suburbs, and the socially idealistic American family life (Leave it to Beaver, et al) a nationwide value the “fancy” apron was once again reclaimed as the uniform of the American housewife. The 1950’s were definitely the high point for apron popularity. Creativity reigned, as aprons again became the way that many used to show off their handiwork while playing hostess. It was an item of apparel that celebrated the common and often overlooked housewife. To quote the famous Martha Stewart, it was, indeed, “a good thing”…that is, up until the 1960’s. In the early 1960’s, aprons reverted back to the half-apron, popular phrases aprons, and BBQ aprons for men but the truth is, if these fancy items of apparel would have burned better, they more than likely would have suffered the same ending as several great bras did during those years of the early fighting feminist era. Aprons have been on a roller coaster ride of popularity over the years with feminism, gender roles, and sensibility of class ultimately dictating whether or not the apron is “in” or “out” in fashion.

Currently, the majority of those who wear aprons seem to be the ones who have to for employment reasons and, of course, those of us who, despite our age, value the morals and beliefs of another generation and time. Then there are some, like me.. who simply and honestly, just really love aprons.

Half aprons
These types of aprons are fashioned to tie around the waist area and they can vary in length from around 16 inches to nearly 30 inches. Some of these aprons are fashioned to cover the ankles while others barely graze the knees. Most were hand made, and they are commonly referred to as waist aprons.

Bib aprons
The “bib apron” is an apron that covers the areas of both the upper and lower parts of an individuals body. The “bib apron” is very different from the “half apron” not only in that it covers a larger area of an individuals body but also because it has a different look about it overall. All fit over the head, and some are criss-crossed in the back to serve the individual in actually keeping the upper part from drooping down by utilizing body parts, such as the neck and arms, as anchors for the apron’s bib straps. Though, some are not fashioned in this way. The bib apron is also commonly called a full apron.

The Pinafore Apron
Pinafore aprons are pinned to the clothing, which is where the name came from. The look of a pinafore is similar to that of a bib apron but the bib area of the pinafore is generally pinned to the clothing.

The cobbler apron

The cobbler apron is a form of apron that generally covers the torso. The cobbler or smock has an open front or back and it can also have little ties that enable the wearer to keep that open area closed for whatever their purpose may be. The cobbler apron allows the opportunity for coverage of the arm and shoulder area where many other types of aprons do not. The cobbler apron is also commonly referred to as a smock apron and is often worn for general housework, cleaning, and kitchen work.

Handkerchief aprons
Popular throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s most were half aprons, made completely from three or four cotton hankies. Handkerchiefs were also used as pockets, borders, or as decorations on aprons made of other fabrics. The contrast that was often created by this type of use made an apron’s design really stand out.

Patchwork Apron
This type of apron, generally made of cotton, is also carefully made of patches which are chosen in order to blend both color and tone. Patchwork creations can be difficult to date, as the many seamstresses who have made them usually collected scraps over several years before actually assembling them into an apron. Ribbon is often used for the waistband as well as for the ties and edging of the skirt.

Towel Apron
For decades, women have made aprons out of towels, or they’ve sewn hand towels to the front of plain cotton aprons for use in some serious hand wiping.

Plastic Aprons
Plastic epitoized the 1950’s housewife’s enthusiasm for easy-to-clean, hygienic materials. A quick wipe of the apron and it was just as good as new again. Many of them being disposable, were just used once and thrown out. Quite a few of this are collectible and have very nice designs on them.

Special Occasion Aprons
Special aprons play a part in traditional customs, ceremonies, and costumes of various individuals and religious sects worldwide. Here, in the United States, the closest that we come to a ceremonial apron is the holiday apron. This apron is specifically reserved for certain special occasions. These aprons were hand made with vibrant colored fabrics and decorative items and were associated only with a specific holiday celebration.

Tulle Apron
Tulle, sheer netting, was often used when making matching aprons for a group and could be used as party favors for every woman attending a function or as “uniforms” for every woman serving at a church supper. Aprons were also given as gifts,from guest to hostess, as well as from the bride to those women helping with the wedding, or from hostess to every woman in attendance.

Gingham Aprons
Gingham’s popularity spanned several decades, but the cloth was especially favored in the 1950s and 1960s. The evenly spaced checks provide a natural grid-type background for decorative stitching, including cross-stitching, smocking, and embroidery. Gingham comes in every color of the rainbow, but turquoise and pink were extremely popular in the fifties and sixties.

Souvenir aprons
Souvenir aprons were aprons of various types that were embroidered with text or fashioned with state maps and various other locations. They are usually easily recognized by the text on the apron.

The “Hooverette” Apron
The Hooverette was a type of apron that was loose fitting and wrapped around the woman that wore it. The apron’s design was similar to that of the dress at the time, which was a drop-waist style with straight lines. These aprons were made by hand and were also often fashioned out of flour sacks, fabric remnants and outgrown or tattered articles of clothing. The apron was named after President Hoover who was in office at the time of the apron’s introduction into society. These aprons were made for more practical use and were full bib length.

Aprons Types Of Material Used

Calico
A cotton-type of fabric that is printed all over the pattern is normally a floral one with a background color that contrasts that of the pattern. This is a very tightly weaved fabric and it was used to make clothing, linens, and quilts. The print is very small.

Organdy
This type of fabric is very stiff although very fine. Its sheer qualities have made it a popular use when needing a decorative fabric. It is made by combing the cotton yarn that it is made of and it is a plain weave fabric. It is also a very far cry from wrinkle resistant!

Organza
This fine sheer fabric is made of nylon, silk, polyester, or rayon. It is very lightweight and great for decoration of the apron as well as the apron itself. Commonly confused with its plain weaved relative, it is a finer weaved fabric.

Alana Morgaine

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