Apron Strings

This week we’re featuring cool “old school” things that used to make life easier and are staging a comeback. Oh yeah, they’re baaack.

Aprons are not just for cooking anymore. Hostess aprons are making a style statement comeback and you can cut quite a smart figure at your next cocktail party wearing one that coordinates with your outfit as you ensure your guests get a canapé.

I’ve often thought I was made to live in the 1950s. Classics like me love the past or at least the curated past. My curated 50s would have to include the Civil Rights Movement and portions of Women’s Lib minus the bra burning. I do love my underwire support.

Given my penchant, I always loved 1950s style aprons and deplored those utilitarian cheesy “Kiss the Cook!” things. When my great aunt Dorothea passed away, I inherited a couple of her homemade gingham 1950s style aprons. They were so meticulous and gorgeous with embroidery, I wished I could wear them as part of my outfit. Then when my maternal grandmother passed away, I inherited even more handmade beautiful 1950s style aprons. I had so many, I felt compelled to incorporate them into my hostess attire for my soirées and found them quite handy. You could wipe your hands non-stop instead of searching for where you last dropped the kitchen towel.Hostess apron from Jessie Steele’s website

At the time, it was rather kitsch and unique but it’s not just me anymore. Now you can buy retro aprons online that are not actually vintage. Jessie Steele is a fabulous online apron shop and the first place to look in preparation for your next soirée. Oh and it was started by a mother/daughter team so naturally, being part of a daughter/daughter/mother team — the latter is our head illustrator — we developed a soft spot for them. I’ve no idea their personality types but I’m betting Helena, the visionary, is an Organic, and Claire is either a Fun or a Classic.