Vintage Aprons: A Tribute to a Colorful Past

Many people don't often stop to think about the rich history of kitchen aprons, but the other day when stumbling upon some retro aprons in a shop window, I suddenly became interested in the use and evolution of aprons over time. When we think of apron uses in today's modern world, most of us probably envision a simple "Kiss the Cook" apron for barbecuing, or something along those lines. While many women still wear kitchen aprons while cooking and doing housework, it's certainly not as ubiquitous a garment as it once was.

Though aprons have always been around, they have certainly evolved not only in their use, but also in the style and materials used to make them. Victorian times found the apron taking on an aristocratic look with lace and embroidery. This was obviously not done to protect the underclothing, but rather it was used to distinguish servants and maids. In those times, most women made their on lace, which they adorned with great pride.

Skip ahead to the 1920s, following WWI. This era found many women venturing outside of the home for work or for social reasons. The Great Depression of the 1930s generated a great lack of funds and materials, which in turn, found kitchen aprons used for food sacks and scraps of clothing. Remember the old flour sack aprons? Even if you weren't alive then or old enough to remember, it's likely you've seen them in films or in picture books.

Soon after the Depression, the new choice of design and materials led to aprons being made of calico. It was about this time that sewing machines were making their way into homes and the apron took on a new look, symbolic of pride and rejuvenation.

During the 1950s the people pictured in commercial advertisements were often suited with aprons. Women were depicted cleaning up the mess of preparing dinner, doing the housework, pulling freshly baked pies out of the oven, all while adorned in what would now be considered retro aprons. These are the kind of aprons I saw in that shop window--they were feminine, flattering, and patterned with eye-catching designs. Though times have changed significantly since those days of old, it's nice to have access to items like vintage aprons that evoke nostalgia and bring history to life.

Written by Kacy Suther. Designer kitchen aprons, cute retro aprons and vintage aprons designed by Thia Designs on http://www.dlux57.com