Whether you're cooking or baking, even the most experienced chefs know that things can sometimes get a little bit messy in the kitchen. A good quality kitchen apron is, therefore, an essential item to have on hand to prevent splashes and splodges from ruining your clothes as you slave over a hot stove.
We've written this guide with the aim of helping you find an apron that fits your life perfectly. We'll walk you through everything you need to know from the best materials and fabrics to the length and fit. For further inspiration, we've also listed our ten favourites that are currently for sale on Amazon, John Lewis, eBay and Argos. From professional leather to retro women's aprons, there's something for every home cook.
Quick List - Top Kitchen Aprons
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Finding the perfect kitchen apron is simply a matter of taking a few key things into consideration. To find out more, read on for our buying guide, where we'll walk you through everything you need to know.
If you're more of an advanced cook or you're working within a formal environment, something longer may be more suitable. There are plenty of aprons out there that offer virtually full-length coverage while looking pretty smart. Their only downside is that some may find their fit a bit restrictive.
The ideal length for you is all a matter of preference, but once you've decided how long you'd like your apron to sit on your body, how do you recognise the right length when you see it? The answer is to check the dimensions, which we've helpfully included in the tables beneath our product choices where possible.
Every apron, regardless of the material it's made from, will offer some level of protection to your clothing. The type of protection will differ, however, depending on what exactly it is made from.
A cotton apron, for example, is comfortable and will offer adequate protection from what you're likely to encounter during a standard day of cooking and baking. It probably won't offer quite as robust protection as, say, a leather apron, though. A leather apron won't be as flexible, but if you regularly engage in heavy-duty cooking, it's a much better choice.
It may also be worth seeking out an apron made from a waterproof material, especially if you do a lot of cooking that involves water or oils. While standard aprons will shield your attire, they also have a tendency to absorb and retain liquid. A waterproof apron will protect your clothing while remaining clean, dry and ready to use at a moment's notice.
We mentioned earlier how important it is to find an apron with a length that you're happy with, but that doesn't mean that adjustable straps are no longer worth seeking out.
Adjustable neck straps, for example, can be used to tweak the length of an apron to fit your height and protect as much of your top half as possible. Adjustable waist straps, too, are great for ensuring that your apron fits snugly and comfortably, even if your waistline fluctuates!
Also, if your apron will be used by several people of different sizes, both types of adjustable strap can be useful for ensuring that it can be worn comfortably by multiple chefs. Rather than buy several aprons, you'll instead have a single adjustable one that'll fit everybody comfortably.
If there were such an award, we'd be quite happy to put pockets forward as the greatest invention ever. Nowhere are they more useful than in the kitchen, where multiple tools must be used and switched between at a moment's notice. In a place where timing is crucial, it's incredibly handy to have the ability to reach into your apron and pull out a spatula exactly when you need it.
Fortunately, the majority of aprons now come with pockets as standard. They differ in style – often using two side pockets or a larger central one – so it's just a matter of picking your preferred arrangement. Just make sure your prospective apron does have pockets because you'll be disappointed if it doesn't!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Viedouce Adjustable Chef Aprons|Pack of 2 | ![]() | Durable, Water-Resistant Aprons for Any Situation | |
2 | Scion Mr Fox Apron | ![]() | Comfortable and Stylish With a Large Front Pocket | |
3 | Sophie Allport Bee Vintage Apron | ![]() | Get the Vintage Look With This Full-Length Apron | |
4 | BlissHome Nadiya Hussain Pattern Cotton Apron | ![]() | A Delightful Design Designed by a Bake Off Winner | |
5 | Rachel Ellen 'I Love to Bake' Rainbows Children's Apron | ![]() | Ideal for Inspiring Budding Bakers | |
6 | Half Moon Bay F.R.I.E.N.D.S Joey Apron | ![]() | A Bold, Fun Option for All Ages | |
7 | John Lewis & Partners Striped Ochre Apron | ![]() | Charming Stripes to Freshen Up Your Kitchen | |
8 | DeliVita Leather Apron | ![]() | A Leather Apron That's Tougher Than the Rest | |
9 | Print4U Kiss The Cook Novelty Apron | ![]() | The World's Most Famous Novelty Apron | |
10 | Satinior Waterproof Aprons|Set of 3 | ![]() | A Triple Set That Won't Break the Bank |
One of the most frustrating things about many aprons is that, while they're quite effective at protecting your clothes from mess, they tend to absorb water like a sponge. It can take quite a while for them dry again. That's exactly why this set of completely waterproof aprons is such a lifesaver.
Made of three layers, including a peach skin outer and a waterproof TPU middle layer, these aprons are completely water- and oil-resistant. They also come in a smart striped blue design that makes them fit for use in pretty much any establishment or situation. Basically, they're fantastic all-rounders, and that's why they're our number one pick.
The bright orange colour and rural habitation of the fox make it another perfect icon for adorning kitchen items here in Britain, and Scion's Mr Fox has become something of a legend. At 90 cm, this long apron is sure to keep you fully protected whilst looking great.
Plus, as well as being stylish with its combination of bright orange against pastel blue, it's made of pure cotton and features a very large front pocket, so it'll also be incredibly helpful in the kitchen day to day.
Sophie Allport has been designing beautiful quintessentially British homeware for over a decade, and we're particular fans of this kitchen apron, which comes from her popular 'Bee' range of kitchenware.
With its full body length, it protects while offering a delightfully retro look, even somewhat resembling a vintage dress in its appearance. It's fairly practical too, being made entirely of comfortable cotton and featuring two handy side pockets. A fabulous retro pick.
Most avid bakers will be aware of Nadiya Hussain, winner of 2015's The Great British Bake Off, who has now gone on to make a series of successful cookery programmes. She's added another string to her bow with this delightful kitchen apron.
Featuring unique variations in pattern over a muted pastel green, it's inspired by her mother's love of tableware designs. It features an adjustable neck loop, a handy front pocket, and there's even a range of matching kitchen textiles if you want to complete the set!
Every parent knows that our little ones sometimes find it hard to resist 'helping out' in the kitchen. Baking can be a great activity to engage in together, and this incredibly colourful rainbow apron is sure to get them into the spirit.
Featuring several rainbows and an assortment of positive slogans, it's just about the happiest apron we've ever seen, and we can't imagine many budding bakers turning it down. There are no pockets, but the PVC-coated cotton is sure to keep their underlying clothes nice and clean!
Kitchen aprons provide the perfect canvas for amusing quotes, and if you're a Friends fan, you'll love this one, which features two of Joey Tribbiani's most famous food-related quotes – the first warning others of his reluctance to share food; the second commemorating his unexpected appreciation of Rachel's absurd Thanksgiving dessert.
While it is an amusing piece of kitchen attire – and we like the rather fetching shade of royal blue with complimentary bright yellow straps – it does lack some practicality. And remember, you're not supposed to put beef in the trifle. It does not taste good.
For many people, the joy of furnishing your home with new kitchenware is not in discovering unique and quirky designs, but in finding a set of items that match each other perfectly. Such folk should look no further than this apron, which forms one part of a wider range.
Its series of ochre stripes and a unique angular design are subtle yet effective and work equally well on tea towels and kitchen gloves. Unfortunately, it is not waterproof, but made entirely of cotton and with a handy front pocket, it's a comfortable, quaint addition to any kitchen.
Just about the hardiest piece of kitchen wear we've ever seen, this apron is made entirely from Italian buffalo leather. Whether you're cooking indoors, tending to the barbecue or using a pizza oven, it's sure to take the strain.
Despite its toughness, it's actually quite lightweight, remaining flexible and comfortable to wear. It's incredibly expensive as far as aprons go, but if you want an extremely durable apron that'll handle anything you can throw at it, it may be worth investing in.
A list of cook's apparel wouldn't be complete without the world's most famous novelty kitchen apron. Originating in the 1950s, the 'kiss the cook' apron was at one point so ubiquitous in popular culture that it's become a bit of a cliché for dads to wear it while tending to the barbecue.
That doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed in a tongue-in-cheek sense, however, and as long as you don't take yourself too seriously, this waterproof cotton apron is sure to raise a smile every time. It's won't be to everyone's taste, but if you're gift shopping, it's a fun one to consider!
It's often worth paying a little bit of extra money for an apron that you truly look forward to using, but if affordability is the name of the game for you, look no further than this waterproof trio. They come in at a price less than what you'd pay for many single aprons.
Made from a light PVC material that resembles a shower curtain, they're certainly not professional quality aprons, but with handy front pockets and adjustable straps, they're more than good enough for cooking the Sunday dinner.
Most of us spend a significant amount of time in the kitchen day-to-day, and importantly, it's where we get the sustenance to tackle everything life throws at us! To that end, we think it's worth investing in making it a nice place to be. Click below for some top product recommendations that'll allow you to do just that.
You're now armed with all the information you need to pick the perfect kitchen apron; all that's left is to get online and do it! We hope you find something that'll revitalise your love of cooking and brighten your every day.
Author: Ben Willimett
No. 1: Viedouce|Adjustable Chef Aprons|Pack of 2
No. 2: Scion|Mr Fox Apron
No. 3: Sophie Allport|Bee Vintage Apron
No. 4: BlissHome|Nadiya Hussain Pattern Cotton Apron
No. 5: Rachel Ellen|'I Love to Bake' Rainbows Children's Apron
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