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Email a FriendPosted by Carolyn A on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 11:05 AM (EDT):
My husband bought me a lovely, handmade Amish apron years ago. I’ve hardly ever used it, but you’ve inspired me to dig it out of the drawer and put it on!
5 Ways I Love My Apron
Fashion Friday vol. 2
Posted by Hallie Lord in Homemaking on Friday, November 06, 2009 10:00 AM
Hello, ladies! Welcome to Fashion Friday! Today I have a small confession to make ...
I’m unabashedly smitten with my apron.
I know, I know ... somewhere along the way aprons became the favored symbol of misogyny but that’s just about the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. The only thing aprons should be a symbol of is pure, delightful goodness.
In fact, were I a poet I might pen an ode to their singular greatness but, since a poet I am not, I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for a five-point list. It’s not a terribly creative approach, I’ll admit, but it should get the job done:
1. When I slip my apron on in the morning I’m reminded that being a wife and mother is not just something I am, it’s a vocation given to me by God and, in a way, my apron is a uniform of sorts. Putting it on signals the start of my work day and gives me the focus needed to joyfully tackle my daily obligations.
2. I’ve also noticed that the moment I tie my apron strings, I suddenly feel called to breathe deeply and simplify life. My apron inspires me to create, feather, bake and snuggle. Amidst the daily chaos sometimes we mothers need to be gently reminded to slow down for a moment and simply be present.
3. In this particular stage of life I find myself in (you know, the one shared by those many tiny, affectionate and sticky hands), it’s tempting to resign myself to wearing pajamas all day. After all, why bother taking the time to dress well when I’m destined to be covered in any number of (blessedly) unidentifiable stains within minutes? Of course, the truth is that slipping into an attractive outfit in the morning lifts my spirits, blesses my family and, as such, is a laudable, though sometimes challenging, goal. By keeping the smudges and spots at bay, aprons encourage my pursuit of that goal.
4. I didn’t start wearing my apron with this purpose in mind but I quickly learned just how industrious she can be. My sweet apron assists me in drying freshly washed hands and tear-stained cheeks. She wipes up spills when a towel is elusive and can take the place of my oven mitt when it, too, has gone into hiding. She also happens to have these really rockin’ pockets that are always holding one thing or another for me. She’s really rather impressive, actually
5. And, last but not least, for such a simply designed garment aprons are surprisingly flattering. They accentuate our womanly curves and have a very cool way of concealing those pesky problem areas of which most of us have at least one or two. I don’t think it’s a mere coincidence that my sweet husband becomes particularly affectionate when he catches me sporting my apron.
Are you with me, girls? Does your apron hold a special place in your heart? Let’s share ...
(A great resource for vintage aprons is Jessie Steele)
Comments
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Posted by Mary on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 11:42 AM (EDT):
I LOVE THIS POST! I actually started thinking in recent weeks that an apron is definitely something I have to buy/make due to reason #2: “By keeping the smudges and spots at bay” and ” stage of life I find myself in (you know, the one shared by those many tiny, affectionate and sticky hands).” I also do not like staying in my pajama’s all day because I like to be clean and pretty for my hubby when he returns home from work. =)
After reading this post, it motivates me further in the quest of finding an apron & soon!
Posted by Lina on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 12:08 PM (EDT):
I love aprons! For anyone looking for a pretty one - who says aprons have to be frumpy? - and willing to spend a bit more than you might at Wal-Mart (you could always add one to your Christmas wish list), I suggest checking Anthropologie. I’m in Canada so I don’t know if this link will work for everyone, as it treats me as an international user, but try this: http://search.anthropologie.com/?q=apron&international=false
Posted by Kate on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 12:18 PM (EDT):
I love aprons! There are many cute ones on Etsy, including aprons for you kids. 
A couple Christmases ago I decided I NEEDED an apron and ended up with three - all lovely and handmade - two full aprons and one half-apron. They inspire me to bake, cook, and tidy. And they are so pretty!
And you know what? I think I will try to write that poem, if I can squeeze it in today. I’m strapping on my apron now for inspiration! We have a bunch of sniffly noses in the house today and some chicken stock simmering on the stove, so I can really use the pick-me-up feeling of domestic competance my aprons give me today.
Is it Friday already?! Yeah!
I have wanted a pretty apron (with ruffles!) for a long time. I’ve never been able to justify the cost, but your reason #2 is convincing me that maybe one would be worth buying. I go through that every day… why get dressed up when I will be stained and dirty by lunchtime? But I love dressing up and I feel better when I do… hmmm…
Posted by Donna L. on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 1:02 PM (EDT):
I love my aprons, too! They are not nearly as darling as yours are, I have to admit, but I love to wear them along with a “head-wrap”. It’s kind of my “Mommy uniform”.
My friends tease me that I am terribly old-fashioned for wearing them, and I just smile!
I have a collection of aprons from antique stores, anna marie horner, souvenir shops, etc. I love them. They are pretty and when I put one on I feel like I am ready to do my work. My kids love my aprons and the girls always want to wear one around the house, too. We stay at home moms deserve to wear something pretty to work!
Over the past year, I have started wearing an apron on an almost daily basis. My sisters and I often argued over who was going to inherit my grandmother’s well-worn, much-loved apron. My mother ended the infighting by making us each our own aprons, using grandma’s as a pattern. I love wearing it for all the reasons Hallie highlights. An apron hearkens back to the day when homemaking was viewed as an art. It wasn’t just about doing chores, but about acquiring a set of skills -not just for themselves - but to be used to create something - a home.
Each time I put on my apron I feel like I’m not just cooking dinner or washing dishes. I am creating a masterpiece. A beautiful home full of nourishment for body and soul. A home full of beauty and love. Plus, my apron is also a powerful reminder of my mother and grandmother - two of the most holy, most loving women I’ve known who brought true dignity and worth to the role of a homemaker. My hope is to follow in their footsteps, hoping that if I succeed someday my daughters will be fighting over my old apron.
Posted by Sarah @ This Heavenly Life on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 2:44 PM (EDT):
What a wonderful list! I’ve been loving my apron lately—it’s a hand-me-down from my grandma, and makes me feel so connected to her when I put it on. But everything you mentioned holds so true! I think I’ll ask for some really pretty new aprons for Christmas 
I requested an apron for my wedding shower and got a lot of “Why would you want one of those old-fashioned things?” looks. Thank God for websites like this to share in my love of being a wife- and my love of aprons! (Since I’m a newbie in the kitchen my apron usually is used to wipe my own tears..haha!)
Posted by Debbie on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 4:26 PM (EDT):
A while back I received a free apron from Martha Stewart—bright stripes—and never wore it until I took a cake decorating class. From the moment I put it on I loved it. It keeps me clean and does make me feel so creative—even though I am certainly not! I have not worn it very much since that class. I need to make sure as soon as I start dinner each night, I put it on!
Yes!! I LOVE those vintag-y aprons. I have a pattern in my sewing stash for a really cute vintage one similiar to the Jessie Steele ones, but I STILL haven’t made it. I’m using my Williams-Sonoma heavy duty apron. It gets the job done, but definitely doesn’t make me feel feminine, and the pockets aren’t easily reachable! Hm…now that I think about it, maybe I will alter it!
Posted by Sarah Reinhard on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 5:21 PM (EDT):
Hallie, it is so good to have your humor and spice here at Faith & Family. I love my apron too, though I don’t wear it all day long. It helps me focus and…well, it’s pretty and that’s nice too. (It actually has horses on it. That doesn’t surprise you, does it? But it also has a ruffle. So it’s sort of girly too!)
Thanks for this great reminder about my favorite piece of clothing, aside from my favorite kickers, of course.
My grandmother gifted me my great-grandmother’s Sunday apron a few years ago. It’s terribly adorable, with a lacy ruffle (hence the Sunday apron), and a pocket. I LOVE to wear it! It makes me feel close to my great-grandmother and for some reason, it feels like whatever I’m making in the kitchen turns out so much more splendid when I’m donning my apron. A great post!
Posted by Mary @ Passionate Perseverance on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 8:51 PM (EDT):
I love my aprons! Yes, I have more than one so I always have a clean one. It is an inspiring piece of clothing. It inspires, muffins, yummy dinners, clean counters, and dust free bookcases. It also promotes frugality by saving my clothing from being stained thereby saving me money. I love my apron!
Posted by Monique on Saturday, Nov 7, 2009 10:55 PM (EDT):
I love the aprons my mom & grandmother made for me when I married 25 years ago. I used to use the aprons only on holidays & when making big meals, however, I started wearing them more in the last year. Reading this post gave me the grand idea to take apart two of my favorite aprons, make patterns from them & make new aprons as Christmas gifts for my sisters (3), daughters (3), nieces (3)! Waiting to see who has the best fabric sale in tomorrow’s paper.
Thanks for the reminder & idea!
I LOVE MY APRON! I was inspired when I first saw the line offered by Kitchen Madonna. I couldn’t afford one (as beautiful as they are!), so I made my own and I love it!
When I put my apron on, I am (as you mentioned) more aware of my vocation, more excited about the mundane tasks (that have to be done whether I like it or not) and more eager to jump into my day!
Thanks for the great post!
Posted by Francie on Monday, Nov 9, 2009 12:57 PM (EDT):
I really like the vintage-inspired aprons on Etsy; although, they are a little pricey. I could use one - I’m a good cook, but a messy one. I’m also hoping that donning a lovely apron will inspire a much-needed attitude adjustment as mentioned in your post and by so many of your commentors.
The pretty apron in your picture reminds me of visiting my great great grandparents as a child. I would always sneak into the kitchen while the “helpers” were preparing a meal. They were always dressed in a uniform of a white dress similar to what nurses wore in the day, white shoes and a pretty apron. They would seat me at the kitchen table and give me a plate of ginger snap cookies. In fact, they taught me how to eat those delightful cookies - just let that bite sit on your tongue and dissolve. YUM. What wonderful memories! Thank you for reminding me.
Posted by Tracy in Albuquerque on Monday, Nov 9, 2009 1:13 PM (EDT):
I love aprons, too! I have a collection, which many have a seasonal pattern and I wear them accordingly. Also, many of them were made by my grandmothers whom have since died. I like feeling close to them. I wear an apron every time I cook—and that’s every day. I used to wear one when I cleaned. Thanks for reminding me that I should do so again. I just need to iron them, but I like doing that, too.
Posted by Kim on Friday, Nov 27, 2009 2:08 AM (EDT):
Well I wear an apron every day. Working as a maid, an apron is part of my uniform. My aprons are full bib type that look more uniformy than the pretty housewife aprons like in your photo. I also wear an apron when I help out at Sunday School and in the kitchen. It is made from the “Edwardian” apron pattern and has a feminine floral pattern.
Posted by clubpenguincheats on Sunday, Apr 4, 2010 9:36 PM (EDT):
They are more vintage and I think a really cute and flattering cut. Now I don’t want to wait until Christmas, but want to start them NOW!
Posted by Rachel on Friday, Jul 30, 2010 4:33 PM (EDT):
Working part time (for my church) means i am out of the house for chunks of time during the day, and I often struggle to make the mental transition between ministry and Home. Perhaps a beautiful “uniform” to put on when I walk in the door is just the motivation I need to put my house in order. Thank you so much! I know they have similar ones at the Saturday Farmer’s market, and they will be locally made too. So charming!
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