Do you wear a practical pinny about the house?

I wear an apron when I cook and bake, I am messy.
I have started making my own, butchers style, out of remnants from a curtain fabric shop. They are extra wide to go round the back. I have added large pockets and a loop to run a tea towel through like chefs have. I even put darts across the top of the bib so it doesn’t gape.
I also have a garden pinny with large pockets, though I seem to be able still to get my clothes mucky in the garden.
My mother only wore aprons occasionally but she made one every Christmas for a family friend. Much thought went into the fabric choice as the recipient always wore the new apron for “good” the next year.

I’m quite flabbergasted by emotional and negative responses to apron wearing……the associations with old ladies etc. The “Absolutely not!”. It seems funny to be so anti the wearing of a practical garment. So many people must get eg stains and greasy marks on clothes……spending time and energy trying to remove them or just having garments spoiled. I suppose that my many years in art/pottery rooms got me into the habit of aprons or an oversize shirt over my clothes. I’ve kept some of my late dad’s shirts to wear for those things. So, I love an apron! Also vividly remember (and hated) getting marks on my pregnant tummy/clothes when it was large enough to be rubbing against the edge of a worktop. That must apply to tummies in general I suppose!

I have a couple of ancient pinafores, which I use when I make the Christmas cake and pudding, so once a year. I probably ought to wear one more often, considering the state my clothes can get in when I’m cooking. Sometimes I tuck a tea towel into my waistband to keep myself clean(ish).

You see plenty of attractive modern aprons for sale, so someone must be buying them.

I don’t unless I am wearing something I will wear out later. Just can’t be bothered. If I am making something really messy I might think of it but often not. I just change clothes afterwards.

Yes, I wear one all the time, and am proud to admit it!

It has a big pocket at the front, and is very useful for popping things in as I do jobs, think kangaroo pouch.

Someone mentioned Fanny Craddock not wearing one. I agree totally, all tv cooks should wear one.

Mary Berry, take note! An attractive apron in your name would guarantee huge sales at Christmas time I’m sure.

I am known as the Apron queen to my friends. I'm so messy, I need to wear one, when cooking or baking ( or spilling bleach on my clothes.), because my RA causes me to spill things.
The local nursery had an afternoon tea recently and borrowed a selection from me!

Teacheranne

I am also dyspraxia with some loss of vision in one eye following a TIA so empathise with those here who are messy eaters! I don’t own an apron as I usually wear old scruffy clothes in the kitchen but I do tuck the t towel into the neck of my tops when eating to catch the mess. I can then just chuck the t towel in the washing machine until the next wash.

When eating in a restaurant, I tuck the serviette into my top or hold it strategically over my chest. Having big boobs makes me even more likely to drop food on my chest! I’m not bothered about how silly I look or what other might think, I don’t want grease stains on my decent clothes!

Even being careful, I still dropped greasy chunks of lamp down myself the other night, they managed to fall behind the serviette and lodge on my chest! Luckily I was able to remove the marks by using vanish soap as soon as I got home.

Teacheranne I bought my mother-in-law some napkin clips on a chain from Amazon, which she loves.
She is registered blind and is a messy eater.

HettyHop

I’m quite flabbergasted by emotional and negative responses to apron wearing……the associations with old ladies etc. The “Absolutely not!”. It seems funny to be so anti the wearing of a practical garment. So many people must get eg stains and greasy marks on clothes……spending time and energy trying to remove them or just having garments spoiled. I suppose that my many years in art/pottery rooms got me into the habit of aprons or an oversize shirt over my clothes. I’ve kept some of my late dad’s shirts to wear for those things. So, I love an apron! Also vividly remember (and hated) getting marks on my pregnant tummy/clothes when it was large enough to be rubbing against the edge of a worktop. That must apply to tummies in general I suppose!

My ghast is flabbered by the number of posters who wear an apron because they are messy.

It is possible to cook and clean without getting stuff all over yourself!

I was given a very attractive Cath Kidston apron some years ago but I couldn’t bear the weight of a strap at the back of my neck. Doubling it over seemed like a good idea but then why would I only get messy from the waist down?

I don’t do much baking these days and if I do I don’t wear black. ?

Well perhaps I need to speak very severely to the flour that refuses to stay where it should when I am baking with my granddaughter (she asks for an apron because they wear them on cookery programs).
Or maybe I won’t cook steak or fry eggs for my husband any more, because the fat doesn’t always know its place either and as for using turmeric ?
Cleaning products especially any with bleach, never cause me any problems, unless I’m wearing something a little drop or splash can spoil. Jeans with patches only look acceptable as young fashion.
No, I like to avoid accidental splashes or drops on my clothes, so I guess I’ll keep on using an apron -but a pinny? No chance.

I don't own one and never have so never wear one and pretty sure I wouldn't even if I owned several. I can't remember my mum wearing one either but her mum lived in one.

It is possible to cook and clean without getting stuff all over yourself!

Speak for yourself merlotgran ?

I've also been known to spill aforementioned ? down myself but that's after I've taken my apron off!

As a friend advised when we were at a birthday party, never wear a white or cream top when you go out.
Or, if you do, drink white!

Jane43

I’ve never worn one either, one of our first tasks in Home Economics was to make an apron and a matching cap I. Red gingham fabric, I don’t remember what happened to it. My mother used to wear what I think were called ‘house coats’ around the house when she was cleaning or cooking, probably because she had very few clothes until later on in her life.

We had to make a cookery apron, too - plain white, no cap.

Dd1 had to make the exact same thing in her first senior school year. She loathed needlework (still does!) so I ended up doing much of it.
You’ll be pleased to know that I got a C+ - ‘Neatness and accuracy are 2 skills which you must practice.’

I very nobly resisted the temptation of pointing out that it should have been ‘practise’. ?

Well it might be possible merlotgran but my wonky arthrtitic fingers get into all sorts of trouble. Add in the odd bit of ataxia and you have a flour storm.

Jumblygran your aprons sound wonderful, you don’t fancy going into business?? I have been a bit surprised by the very negative reactions but then I suppose we all have our associations. My mil wore a nylon overall all day every day and I must admit I’d be reluctant to start wearing one myself.

I wear one to cook a meal or when making cake or pastry but then take it off when I’m finished. I wouldn’t wear one all day. My Nana always did as she was a stay at home wife, my mother worked full time and only wore one rarely

I have just bought a load of new summer tops because I didn't have a single one left without a grease stain or bleach mark on it. I really should wear an apron. I have loads of old sheets and towels that would make up into very serviceable pinnies. Perhaps I ought to make them with sleeves, too.

yes, I wear an apron when I'm busy in the kitchen. I wipe my hands on it frequently so must not forget to wear it or i would wipe them on my clothes!

I wonder how many wear an apron because their parent, or grandparent did. My Mum didn’t, nor did the only Grandma I knew, I don’t either. My Dad had a jokey one for bbq’s.
I’m fortunate that I don’t have any physical hindrances and very rarely stain clothes, I don’t bake either which must help.

M0nica

*teabagwoman*, I too have dyspraxia, although no sight problems. I wear an apron when cooking, another one when cleaning because I do drop and splash things about.

I have a gardening apron, but that was designed and made for me by DD, for gardening reasons only. It has lots of pockets to put packets of seeds, plant tags, hand tools and bits and pieces picked out of the soil and a waterproof back so if I pick up something wet, it doesn't soak my clothes, if I have to hold it close to me.

For those who do not know what dyspraxia is, it falls into the same neuro diverse category as dyslexia or dyscalculia and means that you have problems with fine movement. The classic 'clumsy child' problem. No matter how much you try, you drop things, trip over, have poor balance, atrocious writing and cannot do anything neatly, no matter how much you want to and try.

Neuo diversity in its many manifestations runs strongly in my family. I have dyspraxia and ADHD as, does my DS and my DGS is awaiting assessment for ADHD

Thank you M0nica, it was a good idea to explain. I would add that it can be very specific.
I have very good handwriting, slightly worse now with arthritis but still good. And I could do very fine needlework. I think the problem is that if I am moving at all I can't do anything else. One Educational Psychologist I know said that for some people, walking / moving around takes such concentration, they can't do anything else!
My PE teacher at school used to comment on how graceful I was in the water, like a swan - totally ungainly on land! Swimming came so easily that I don't remember learning.

One of my sons who showed all the signs of dyspraxia, and still does, is excellent at football & rugby - he can 'sight' the trajectory of a ball, and gets to it before others. He can't play any racquet sports because he needs to manipulate an object!

For me, such a label can be useful when explaining, but really it would be helpful if folk were just kind about those of us who are 'ockard'. I hope I am kind to people who can't add up, understand basic science or Shakespeare's plays, all of which came easily to me.

Absolutely not! This is 2022, not the 1940s.

I don't understand that. All the women in my family wore underwear skirts, trousers, blouses, coats, jackets, hats and shoes back in the 1940s and I still wear all those things. They look a bit different but do the same job. Why would a pinny be any different? I wouldn't wear one of those wrap-around things my gran wore but can't see a problem with wearing something to protect my clothes when I'm doing messy stuff whether it's a frilly pinny a wipeable pinny or a towel wrapped around me. When I'm decorating I often wear one of MrAs old shirts or an overall to protect my clothes. Same thing.

Both myself & My husband were bought one each lady of the manor and lord of the manor, but no we wouldn’t wear them,

I have a couple of aprons and I always pop one on when cooking and washing up.Especially if it is frying bacon or making curries etc or washing greasy pots.I've had too many tops ruined over the years to care whether it makes me 'old fashioned ' .To me it's just practical.And as my DDs have told me I look stylish and younger than my years when I'm out for the day or a meal I can live with looking old fashioned in my pinny in my own kitchen!

GrannyGravy13

Always wear an apron when cooking (over the head and tie round the back type) as I tend to splash sauces etc.

Like kittylester I always remove it before sitting down to eat in order to throw food down my front …

this does sound like me too.Just for cooking or baking as I would not want one on all day.

I asked for an apron from my daughter as a birthday present for when I am cooking and baking as I didn't want to splash and have marks on my clothes and I love it it is bright pink with cup cake decorations and a big pink and white frill ( think 1950 American sitcom housewives)

I sometimes pop an apron on to cook, especially baking, but I do love to wear a pinafore dress. They go so well on their own, over a vest or t-shirt, a long sleeved top or a polo neck, can be worn with bare legs and sandals, or socks and Converse, tights or leggings, boots or wellies. Easy fit around my ample waist, no waistband to dig in or ride up or roll down, and, best of all, pockets for my phone, keys and dog bags! I have two in denim and one navy corduroy, all preowned from eBay, and they are easily my favourite clothes.