Do you have a restaurant supply store in your area? You could get one there is black or white. The ones I have purchased look like those in the link below. I also have a chef's jacket I have had for years. It's great to throw on - especially at Thanksgiving when the meal for 70 is coming together. I don't want to ruin my clothes!

Here is a link that might be useful: Commerical Aprons

Thanks for the links. I just got an education in Plain Clothing. I can't help but wonder if many Amish shop on the internet since they don't have electricity. The Mennonites do.

Anyway, I would just buy a basic apron like this. Be sure the ties are long enough to cross in the back and bring around to tie in the front.

I'm with you on the bib style apron, I also have never understood the half apron thing. I have several simple bib style aprons that I wear not only for cooking, but for working around the house if I really want to make sure I don't slop something on to my clothes.

Do you sew? Aprons are really easy to make, and you can customize them anyway you like if you make your own. As far as the adjustable ties go, I prefer the kind that has two ties that you tie behind your neck instead of the kind with one strap that loops around behind your neck and then goes through a D-ring on the other side in the front - I just think the ones that tie fit better.

Having said all that, if you don't sew I'd spring for the cute ones at Anthropologie. Considering the cost of fabric and the various embellishments, not to mention your time, you'd probably be close to the $28 anyway when everything was said and done.

Good Luck :-)
Becky

I don't always wear an apron but when I wear one, I wear a chef style apron that wraps around the back. I'm forever wiping my hands on the back of my apron. I buy them cheap at a restaurant supply store, simple unbleached cotton.

When I think of aprons I think of my Nana. She always had a full bib style apron on and she used it for everything! Wiping her hands, the counter, my face. They were always fresh and clean and ruffled and soft.

eBay has many to select from.

dcarch

My favorite style is one with a bib front that ties in the back. The tie is threaded so that you can adjust the neck by pulling on the two ends you tie.

You can customize these to fit easier than the ones with the D-ring loop around the neck. And those are usually cut so that the waist ties actually end up at my hips (I'm only 5'2".)

They are my favorites. They're comfortable, practical and they're (I think) slimming and tailored looking. They had a nice multi-stripe one at Target recently. Wishing now I had bought it...

I make my own aprons for the most part, but do have a couple of black restaurant style aprons leftover from when I was in the biz. They're hot though, because they aren't natural fiber. Since you and I are both doing the Menopause Mambo, man-made fibers are NOT a good thing. Look for lightweight cotton. If you do decide to make your own, a dark, patterned calico is great as it's inexpensive, washes well, and having a pattern the drips and splashes don't show so much.

Just a trick I've found that works on those pesky grease stains...only to be used if the alternative is throwing the dang thing out, because occasionally it will be too much for the piece of clothing you're trying to clean.

Use full strength dishwashing soap (I use Joy, but I expect any other would do) to completely saturate the grease spot. Lay the tshirt over a frame of some sort (I use a big colander I shove inside the shirt) so that the material is stretched so as to be able to pour boiling water straight through the spot. Repeat. It works often enough to make it worth trying before you toss the shirt out.

I like the ones from Williams-Sonoma. They can be easily washed.... and mine are old. Sur la Table has a better selection, but I can't vouch for washing.

Do you sew? If so, the major pattern companies all have a selection of many styles of aprons. #1 (although not in quilted fabric) and #2 in the one linked below are what I use for my everyday aprons and #5 is the style for the aprons I use when cooking at church or for our neighborhood co-op.

I use 100% cotton fabrics and usually spray them with Scotch-Gard to keep stains at bay. I have different patterned fabrics to co-ordinate with the season of the year and often add a strip of Velcro at the waist to attach a terry cloth guest-sized towel that is gathered at the top and has a strip on it too.

Right now, I'm making a #3 in striped fabric trimmed with solid color seam binding on the edges.

If you don't sew, now is the perfect season to check out church and other organizations' holiday craft fairs. In our area, aprons of a practical design are usually featured in one or more of the booths.

Here is a link that might be useful: Apron sewing pattern

For all those grease spots---here's a trick I learned from a lady who worked in a dry cleaners. Lay the garment out on a flat surface and sprinkle talcum powder on it. Let it sit for a few hours. Then take it outside and shake the talcum off of it. The grease will be gone and then you can launder it.

I bought a beautiful suit marked way down to about 1/4 of the price, because someone came in and handled it and left a big grease stain on the front of the skirt--it looked like vaseline. I took the suit home, treated it with talcum and didn't even have to get it drycleaned.

For me the weight of the fabric (bib style) is important - I want it to protect my clothing. I have several aprons, all from forum folks and I love them all.

I do lust for an apron from Anne Taintor if she ever makes one. 'Make your own d@mn dinner' would be perfect!

I'm a messy cook too and to combat the ruination of my wardrobe I have two vinyl coated aprons that loop around the neck and tie at the waist. I bought them at least 8-10 years ago at a shop that sold fine china. One is the Blue Willow pattern from Spode and the other is a Portmieron pattern. April Cornell (sp?) had some really cute aprons in cotton, but I tend to use the two vinyl ones (even with estrogen moments) because they're simple to clean.

Here's a cute one from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cotton Apron

I have lots of aprons, and my favorites were from forum friends. I also love bib type aprons cause my top is what gets splashed the most. I have bought some that I love at Cost Plus World Market also.

Thanks everyone for your advice. For those who mentioned sewing my own, unfortunately, I don't sew. Today I went to Sur La Table, and most of the aprons there looked professional, durable, and---heavy. Some of the other aprons mentioned in this thread are so pretty, but several have large prints, which look so charming on the apron, but probably won't on my 5'3" 20-lb.-overweight self.

Also, I agree with what Amck said about the ease of the threaded tie, and not having the D-rings. When I looked at Estelle's recommendation of the Williams-Sonoma website, some of the aprons there had that kind of tie without the D-rings. Furthermore, a couple of the reviews on the WS site praised the lightweight comfort. So, I will go there tomorrow, and check it out. Any other suggestions are welcome!

I would like to second the recommendation to check out a Cost Plus World Market, as they have a nice inventory that fits your description. I've also noticed them @ TJ Maxx & Marshalls lately.

I have a big collection and requirements similar to yours (though I also demand a pocket) and have gotten several of my favorites (for considerably more than I would have paid at the aforementioned sources) at Kitsch'n Glam.

I

A. You won't be feeling the extra warmth forever, and B. Christmas is right around the corner. Talk to Santa.

We used to have a CF member who made really cute aprons and matching items to sell. I recall the aprons but not the details. Does anyone remember who that was and the website?

Some years ago I broke my left shoulder; it no longer hurts, and there are very few limitations on my movements. But one of the aggravating limitations is that it's hard to reach around behind me to tie something behind my back. I therefore use aprons that have tie straps long enough to tie in the front. (I actually prefer that anyway, because then I can dangle a dish towel from the strap.)

Given that my waistline varies from 42 to 48, it is hard to find an apron that has long enough ties to accomplish that. I have taken to tying shoestrings on to the end of the tie straps as an extender, but that's a little kludgy.

Anyone know of a source for aprons with really long tie straps?

barnmom: that would have been mjmercer.

Jessy, what a mind! I tracked her through her member page. She still has a advertising link on here but it goes nowhere. She seems to have moved on and is selling real estate.

I want coverage when I cook and haven't found anything very attractive.
My favorite is a surgical gown because it totally covers everything. This is nice if I have last minute prep before guests arrive but already have my good clothes on. I also like the calphon aprons - heavy duty, good coverage, long strings for tying in front and pockets.