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When did aprons become used by women? Surely their use has not been a recent thing, as most of us know. The apron, for women, seems to have been here for centuries and that is true in many ways.
The actual use of aprons to keep dresses clean began around the seventeenth century, because housemaids, who typically had only one everyday dress, needed a way to complete dirty chores without soiling their clothes.
Thus the apron became very popular, very quick. Aprons took less material to make and were easier to wash than a whole dress. And instead of changing your entire outfit, you could whisk away that old, dirty apron and tie on a clean new one. All in a matter of minutes!
When the wave of French and English colonization began, emigrant families had to face the hardships of frontier life. Ladies were in need of aprons, because they were forced to do harder tasks than dusting or picking flowers for the dinner table. (And who can call picking flowers a task? :) The apron served as a way to carry vegetables from garden to kitchen, kindling from woodpiles to fires, and an "oven-mitt" to handle hot pots and pans with. These helpful coveralls kept bread dough, ashes, even just plain mud, off the front of a dress.
During the 1700's and 1800's, nearly every woman owned at least one apron. No matter if you were the mother, maid or daughter, if you were the average middle-class lady, you worn an apron. Wealthier women had slaves or servants to do their 'dirty work', the work that could ruin their outfits, so, for them, there was no real need to wear an apron. There was the decorative, "frilly" purpose, where daintier pinafores would come in handy.
But for any pioneer woman, homemaker or farmer's wife, aprons were a part of one's dress not just any accessory: they were something which made life a lot easier. In rural areas, aprons were made of common cotton, white linen, or whatever materials were on hand even feed and flour sacks. (this was especially common during the beginning of the 20th century.)
Some fashionable aprons in Victorian England, were more show than anything else being delicately embroidered and stitched.
As the 1920's rolled in, women no longer wanted to be solely associated with the home front and aprons, once a symbol of 'domestic pride', according to apron author Teresa Coats.
And at one point, the half-apron became popular as the full coverall became less esteemed. "Cutesy", "hostess", half aprons were in vogue.
The 40's saw gingham and cheery cotton aprons replace the white ones and for a brief time, there was a revival. Aprons once again became more popular and appreciated.
After WW II, the 'pretty' apron again became the uniform of the happy housewife. Blondie of the comic strip is one such example.
Overall, your apron was a venue to show off creativity, and sort of what you might call "your badge." It was a garment that saluted and celebrated the homemaker. Essentially, the apron became a part of the 1950's professional housewife's uniform. Aprons were usually homemade, with the introduction of the sewing machine and cloth becoming more readily available. Homemade aprons, hand sewn and hand decorated, usually had themes that revolved around housework, sewing, cleaning, or cooking. Besides that, for practicality, homemade aprons were made out of extra kitchen curtains, dish towels, handkerchiefs, and once again, flour sacks. (don't those things come in handy!)
A lady would typically have at least one seasonal party apron, and several aprons color-coordinated to match her outfits.
During the 60's, aprons again reverted to the half-apron, and even aprons with sayings, and bar-b-q aprons for men came about. Ever since the beginning of the1900's, they have fallen 'in style' and out. At one time, they could be popular, the next month they'd be "out" as far as fashions went. One style would be "in", while another got pushed to the backburner.
Originaly the purpose of an apron was to meet a need and worm by many different types of people. At one point, for some, they became a fun and stylish accessory. Many women and girls enjoy their aprons for the old-fashioned feel and they do help keep your clothes clean.
The culinary world now offers a variety of cooking aprons fit to bewilder the brain.
Here are a few of the most common:
Bib apron named for the way it ties around the neck. The full length kitchen apron typically contains deep pockets and ties around the waist and neck.
Pinafores these aprons took their name from the custom of pinning the apron to the front of a dress rather than tying it.
Cocktail apron the short, sassy and impractical half apron, typically made of gauzy material and associated with alcohol drinking and flirtation.
Butcher's apron butchers still use these heavy-duty coveralls. The full length apron, made of heavy material, is often the favorite choice for a chef.
Another kind of half apron-- commonly seen as worn by pioneer women and ladies in the 1800's, beginning at the waist and ending just above the end of a full-length skirt or dress. This kind is one of my favorites, but unfortunately I haven't been able to find one. Likely because these are more 'rare,' being used primarily with historical related uses such as reenactments.
This information was found in a great article from http://www.faithreaders.com/article-details.php?article=16907
Party in Style with Jessica Steele's Fun and Stylish Aprons. Great for wearing during the party and not just before!
Doesn't Every Hostess Deserve A Really Cute and Sexy Apron To Wear During The Party?
