Kitchen Aprons

Waxed canvas and cotton aprons in cross-back and bib cuts, with pockets, leather straps and barista-length bodies.

Cross-back or neck strap?

A cross-back spreads the weight across both shoulders, so it does not pull on the neck through a long session — which is why kitchen and barista aprons use it. A neck strap is quicker to put on and adjusts to any wearer, which suits an apron shared between people.

Why waxed canvas?

The wax makes the cloth water- and stain-resistant, so splashes bead rather than soak in. It softens and marks with use, which some people want and others do not. Plain canvas is lighter, cooler and washes more easily.

How should an apron be washed?

Plain cotton and canvas go in the machine cold. Waxed canvas should not — washing strips the wax. Sponge it clean, and re-wax it when water stops beading — a tin of wax costs less than the apron and buys it several more years.