The 9 Best Waist Aprons
Special Honors
Portland Apron Company While this artisan only has three types of waist apron to choose from, two are available in a decent range of elegant colors. More importantly, all of their fibers are 100% organic and sourced from companies in the United States, two of which are owned and operated by women. There's more to their interesting story than we can share here, so we suggest clicking your way over to their site, reading their "Environmental Responsibility" section, and checking out their other offerings which include beautifully designed prairie smocks and art tunics. portlandaproncompany.com
Hedley & Bennett Although most of their inventory is pricier than the models you'll find above, this manufacturer's quality materials and craftsmanship are worth a glance. Their line of offerings come in various lengths that end both above and below the knees, and each one is made with thick cotton straps that easily wrap around to tie in front. In addition to waist aprons, they also sell other functional garments like smocks, chef coats, and face masks. hedleyandbennett.com
Editor's Notes
July 12, 2020:
Although most waist aprons are machine washable, they can become a pain when mixed with other laundry. This is especially true for models that have thinner ties like the Meema Upcycled and Fame Fits Most, as they may become tangled with sleeves or pant legs. This effect can be even worse in the dryer, causing serious creases you’ll have to go out of your way to iron by hand. As such, you might consider washing your waist aprons separately and/or drying them without the aid of a machine. Either way, we urge you to follow all cleaning guidelines provided by retailers and manufacturers if you want to make your purchase last.
While we were tempted to put more tool belt style aprons on the list like the Dickies Work Gear Single Side and Carhartt Duck Nail we ultimately decided to stick with simpler designs. While tool belt styles tend to have great features, their appearances might not be acceptable in some settings, and they are often not as economical as your average low-tech waist apron.
Finally, if you’re having trouble finding a model that appeals to you, you might try searching through full-cut designs like cooking aprons and heavy-duty shop varieties, as their tops can be turned down and tucked under to make a decent waist apron. If you’re a skilled seamster and feeling particularly ambitious, you could even cut down and hem a full model yourself.