An apron is an outer protective garment that covers primarily the front of the body. It may be worn for hygienic reasons as well as in order to protect clothes from wear and tear. The apron is commonly part of the uniform of several work categories, including waitresses, nurses, homemakers and domestic staff. It is also worn as a decorative garment by women. There are many different apron styles depending on the purpose of the apron.

In addition to cloth, aprons can be made from a variety of materials. Rubber aprons are commonly used by persons working with dangerous chemicals, and lead aprons are commonly worn by persons such as X-ray technicians who work near radiation. Aprons, such as those used by carpenters, may have many pockets to hold tools.

The term is also used more generally to refer to an expanse surrounding some object; for example, an airport can have a concrete "apron" around it, where planes and other vehicles can move about. The rubberized air cushion of a hovercraft is also called an apron.

The word apron is from the corruption of the term "a napron" into "an apron". The original spelling of napron is lost.

In theater, the apron is the portion of the stage separated by the main curtain and in front of the "house" (audience).

Styles

Depending on the purpose of an apron, it can be designed in many different ways. A basic distinction is between waist aprons which cover the body from the waist down and a bib apron which also covers the upper part of the body.

An apron is usually held in place by two ribbon-like strips of cloth that are tied in the back. A bib apron may either have a strap in around the neck (perhaps the most widespread use today), or shoulder straps that criss-cross in the back and attach to the waistband. The advantage of the former design is that it makes it especially simple to put on the bib apron. The advantage of the shoulder strap design is that it makes the apron more comfortable to wear; a neck strap can slightly impair ease of movement.

Other types of aprons include the pinafore and the cobbler apron.

See also

• Apron dress
• Hadaka apron