Etsy Find of the Week; The Vintage Apron is Back!

(Irene Dunn in 1941's Penny Serenade)

The apron came about because of practical necessity. In years gone by, people didn't have the luxury of owning a large wardrobe. Washing and drying clothing was not done on a frequent basis. So aprons served a practical purpose of covering up the dress underneath to project it from soiling. This made washing much easier. The apron would be washed every couple of days but the dress or clothing underneath did not have to be washed as much, perhaps maybe once a week. Later they began serving as decorative purpose also. Not just housewives wore aprons; school teachers, children, shop-keepers, and secretaries wore different styles of aprons over their clothing every day.

In the 1920's and '30's aprons followed the silhouette of the dress - long, with no waist line. By the 1940's, aprons gained a cinched waistline, and were often gaily trimmed with rick-rack, buttons, and pockets of contrasting color. Many aprons were made from feed cloth. Feed cloth was a heavier fabric and was used as a sack to put seed or four in that farmers used. There was no wasting back then, when the sacks were empty,. the feedsack fabric was used for quilts and aprons. In fact, when the apron had "seen its day" and was ready to be tossed, the best parts were cut out and used for quilts.

(Shirley Temple)

The 1950's brought out the half-aprons of highly starched cotton, feedsack, and sheer ( a see- through fabric) trimmed with lace for special occasions. Also two- piece aprons and short smocks of bright cotton prints for every day use were popular.

At one point, Aprons were a serious fashion element, not just an afterthought cover-up! Today the more rugged utilitarian aprons are still in use. The old-fashioned pretty cotton ones were hard to find until now. Vintage everything is back now in such a major way. Where can you go and find a fabulous newly invented vintage apron without leaving the comfort of your home? Why, Etsy of course!

The very best Etsy apron shop (in my opinion of course) is a little shop full of aprons in so many colours and patterns and shapes, Boojiboo . Not only are the aprons adorable, but also extremely affordable and unique. Here are a few of my favourites.

Remind you a little of Paris with the little umbrellas, non? To me it's what I would be wearing making creme brulee in April in a flat somewhere along the streets of the Marais.

Each of the apron styles have cute names to, like this one below is called "The Chloe"
My favourite pattern is this one, "The Bella".
A totally adorable rockabilly one. Notice the lips pocket on the side ;) Now that is the kind of detailing that makes this seller stand out. They even have adorable half ones, like this one, "The Sophia".This last one is called "The Maggie", I love the little deer and retro trees!
Now where is my credit card so I can start a mini collection. I think I need a pink one to go with the pink Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer that sits on my kitchen counter. Hmm....