Vintage style aprons are all the rage these days, and for good reason. Women have rediscovered the function of an apron, and have revived it as a style icon. But in the rush of trying to find the perfect apron to wear, have you thought about the difference between an authentic vintage apron and a reproduction vintage style apron?
In order to be authentic and recapture the wonderful memories of childhood, some women go on a quest to find an adorable antique apron (in excellent condition, of course). Purists shun the beautiful array of new aprons currently available on the market. But is wearing a decades-old apron really all it’s cracked up to be?
When you look through all the vintage aprons, think about how they began. Each one of those faded, well-worm garments started out as brand new. And whether it was originally store-bought or homemade, that faded cotton you see was once bright and cheerful. It was made to be crisp, clean, vivid, and new. And at the time, it did not appear “vintage” or “antique.” It was contemporary to the style of the day.
If your goal in searching for a vintage apron is to emulate the excellent homemakers of the past, why not adopt their attitude rather than their old, discarded garments? Consider buying an apron that is brand new. That is what the women of the past did! Take it and make it your own. Wear your aprons when you cook, clean, and play with your children. Don’t worry about finding an apron that was loved by somebody else. Get your own, and put your family’s love into it.
Then maybe someday your daughter will cherish the beloved apron that was exclusively her mother’s, and all the family memories that went into it.
June 26th, 2009 at 2:17 AM
For many, the beauty of an old apron is the past it represents. The history behind its making, its purpose, its usefulness and its artistry. And there’s something beautiful in the fact an apron, a rather simple garment, can last so long withstanding the test of time.
As a maker, user, seller and genuine lover of aprons and apron patterns (original or reproduced), I prefer to have both to have the best of both worlds.
Nice article.
Callie