Aprons – The Fusion of Fashion and Function in the Kitchen

Krista in a Hen House Linens cook’s apron from Butcher Boy Market in North Andover, $19.99; Talena is in a vintage apron from Fancy Schmancy in Newburyport, $19.

Aprons — they’re not just for June Cleaver
(or your mother-in-law) anymore.

Their recent resurgence as fashionable and fun accessories for cooking and entertaining is bringing style and functionality to kitchens everywhere, placing aprons—once the very symbol of dowdiness—in high demand for culinary and style enthusiasts alike.

From domesticated to dignified, repressed to retro, aprons are no longer the stereotypical, old-fashioned symbol of women’s domesticity. This iconic, utilitarian bit of clothing has been reinvented and re-adopted by cooks of all ages. Available in

an array of styles and colors, today’s aprons are embraced and enjoyed, even adding a bit of modern flirtatiousness to once mundane domestic tasks.

Lynne Rutkowski of Swampscott started Lynne’s Whim five years ago with the intention of creating fashion-forward aprons that would make women feel pretty and complement their outfits. She now distributes her aprons all over the country, including

A Smokin’ Hot Cowboys Apron from Soufflés in Newburyport, $36, covers Talena (until her man gets home).

23 retail stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. According to Rutkowski, the resurgence of aprons is the result of people returning to the kitchen. “Everybody’s going retro with the advent of cooking shows [that] teach people of all levels to cook,” she says, adding that people are entertaining more in their homes these days. Many women are buying stylish hostess and cocktail aprons to wear while hosting parties, and they want to show them off, something that was almost unheard of in the past.

The huge variety of styles, prints, lengths and designs available today exemplifies the fun and alluring nature of modern aprons. Home cooks who want to stir up the risqué factor will be happy to discover many form-fitting, sexy options. And because aprons are pulled tightly at the waist, hugging the body as they create an hourglass shape, they are flattering on almost any body type. Accessorize your apron with items such as matching oven mitts, dish towels and pot holders, and voilà! — you have a chic, sensible and contemporary kitchen ensemble.

Despite the historical baggage they may carry, aprons are increasingly being seen more as a fashion statement than a passé kitchen staple. Their availability at stylish boutiques, culinary stores, gourmet food shops and even large chain retailers attests to their growing popularity.

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Though good-old unisex, butcher-style aprons will always be available, trendy cooks no longer have to accept them as the only option. Style no longer has to be sacrificed for utility in the kitchen. And while most of the hip aprons found in stores are designed for women, there are also options available for men and children. Whether for yourself or someone special on your gift list this holiday season, everyone can celebrate the joy of cooking and the joy of fashion as they come together in perfect harmony.

Krista in a Lynn's Whim skirt apron with holiday shoppers design from HelenThomas Simply Smashing!, Andover, $45.

Sources for sty lish aprons in the Merrimack Valley:
- Butcher Boy Market:  (978) 688-1511  www.ButcherBoyMarket.com
- HelenThomas Simply Smashing!:  (978) 475-7981
- Lynne’s Whim:   (781) 599-8186   www.LynnesWhim.com
- Soufflés:  (978) 465-1523   www.Souffles.com
- Fancy Schmancy:  (978) 462-4484

Credits:
- Photography by Melissa Desjardins: www.desjarphoto.com
- Set Stylist: Grace Quintal, Grace Professional Cosmetics: www.ShopGraceMakeUp.com
- Models: Talena Davis and Krista Holland
- Shot on location at Jackson Kitchen Designs: www.JacksonKitchenDesigns.com