Chic Aprons

& how to wear them in and out of the kitchen

I’m messy in the kitchen. For a single dish I’ll use 5 different spoons, splatter sauce all over the stove, and overflow the sink with dirty dishes at least twice. And yet, I still like to feel put together for the day while I’m cooking—especially since I’ll inevitably have to run to the store mid recipe because I forgot something. While I don’t believe in being too precious with our clothes I also don’t want to ruin my clothes, and I think we can all agree that a heavy wine or oil spill can send even the most beloved piece of clothing to the donation pile.

Enter left stage: the apron. She’s humble, versatile, and protective. She’ll catch all of your splashes and spills and hold your whisk and kitchen tweezers. She’s a canvas documenting your culinary adventures in the kitchen. She can also be chic and deserves to see the outside world !

If you’re an avid cook like me, and you also happen to be a frugal girl with sometimes luxury taste, then pragmatism is the key ingredient to every fashion purchase. If I’m dropping coin on something, it better serve more than one purpose. Money aside, I’m reaching a point with my style where I feel less is more and anything that takes up precious real estate in my NYC closet needs to be functional above all else. So, that got me thinking—how could I style an apron in a way that makes sense outside of the kitchen ?

I’ve assembled a list of 18 of my favorite kitchen aprons, inspiring aprons from the runway, and apron adjacent garments. I’ve broken these up into different styles—some are shoppable and some are archival, but they’re all fabulous.

Let’s get cooking, shall we ?

Classic

These follow the more traditional silhouette of a full apron with the halter and bib necklines, but they are anything but classic. Etsy is a goldmine for darling vintage and up-cycled aprons (I highly recommend the seller BlingScarves for endless options). Style over a monochromatic outfit like the adorable school girl style on the bottom left.

1. Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 1998 RTW

2. Ann Demeulemeester—Freia Long Apron Dress $829

3. Paris Starn x Semaine—The Glacé Apron $181

4. O Angel—92% Pleated Skirt Apron $138

5. Marimekko—Pieni Unikko Apron $46

6. Etsy—Handmade Vintage Crochet Apron $55

Skirts

My preferred apron style and in my opinion the most versatile out of the bunch. Ebay takes the lead here with the most affordable options and the most range in style. Style one of these over another skirt or pair of jeans or trousers. Or, try it on over a dress to add some shape to the waist.

7. Tête—Crochet Flowers Apron $207

8. Gohar World—Lace Hands Apron, Silver $128

9. Maison Balzac—Lobster Apron $90

10. Commes des Garçons Fall 1994 RTW

11. Gohar World—Lace Hands Apron, Opaline $158

12. Etsy—Black Crochet Apron $80

Belts

Perhaps the least used in the culinary world, but the most fashion forward. I can imagine a chef wearing this to a food installation or dinner, their version of a tool belt equipped to aid them with any finishing touches.

13. Miista—Rio Black Belt $275

14. Nikolas K—Logan Vest Pack Distressed $535

15. Paloma Wool—Paulina $300

16. Paloma Wool—Marella $470

17. Gimaguas—Rino Belt $170

18. Gohar World—Crudité Belt $278

How I’d wear it

For the most part, my style these days is pretty simple as I prefer to save my creativity for other things. I’m trying to curate a wardrobe where most things mesh well together, so no matter what I throw on I look put together and effortlessly chic (this is work in progress as someone who constantly feels that they are in a style crisis). Although I enjoy it very much on other people, I don’t usually engage in any unnecessary layering with my own style. But if I’m in the mood for a little something extra, here’s how I’d style an apron IRL:

• for a lazy day at the park in the slick heat of summer, a classic halter crochet apron over a colorful bra and a slinky skirt complete with a pair of quirky sandals

• for casually strolling an art gallery, I would layer a white skirt apron over this luxurious red silk set from the brand Hai

• for a brisk spring morning at the farmer’s market, a belt (to hold my carrots and asparagus) over a pair of flowy trousers and a tank top

My current kitchen apron is a mustard yellow one that I wouldn’t necessarily call my color, but I also don’t need a new apron. But ! The versatility of an apron skirt or belt could enhance my wardrobe…so if you need me, I’ll be scouring the internet for more crochet and lace aprons, debating which one I fancy most.

Would you try this ?

With Pleasure,

Yracema x