I Love My Aprons!

My wrinkly, stained chicken apron!

I grew up working in a restaurant. My family owned and operated a restaurant for more than 30 years and I spent a good amount of time wearing an apron, flipping burgers and tossing floury pizza dough into the air. Aprons were part of the work uniform and they were messy by the end of the shift. I recall summers where I was covered with chocolate ice cream from dipping cones and shakes all day. Despite being quite accustomed to wearing aprons, I never quite got into the habit at home...that is, until recently.

On the weekends, I find myself working in the kitchen quite a bit. It's a mix between enjoyment and necessity, prepping meals for my busy family. I like to think of myself as a neat cook, but messes happen and I like having a place to wipe my hands. After a while, I started putting on an apron first thing in the morning and doing all the kitchen things without wrecking my clothes. I noticed a lot of my shirts had grease stains and little holes in them from rubbing against the counter's edge. Yes, I really do spend that much time puttering around my kitchen! I also found myself wearing them just for basic cleaning tasks after I found some of my cleaning products stained and left spots (probably from bleach). My apron became a normal part of my "around the house" outfit. I think a few people who've stopped by on the weekend wondered if I was about to start some monumental baking adventure (nope, just normal everyday stuff!)

A special apron gifted to me!

I have quite a collection of aprons now, from old raggedy ones to egg aprons just for collecting eggs (from my often non-productive, freeloading chickens). I have aprons that are handmade, some that were gifts and some that are very old. Speaking of old, aprons have an extensive history. As you might guess, they were made to protect clothing, but have become fashion statements and a part of outfits over the centuries. Aprons still have a place in many industries and jobs and are starting to make a comeback in the modern home. My reasons for wearing an apron aren't really that much different from that of a peasant woman in the 1500's. We just want to stay somewhat clean in the kitchen. Granted, I have a laundry machine and more than one change of clothes!

Do you own any special aprons or wear one on any particular occasions? Let me know in the comments or follow this blog in the Facebook page-Home Ericanomics! Thank you for reading the blog! Please follow, like and share Home Ericanomics on social media!