Bib Aprons

Bib aprons aren't just for the kitchen. These come in a wide variety of styles and types that most people don't even think of when they hear the term.

The word apron generally causes people to think about their father barbecuing in his novelty apron or their mother at home in the kitchen, but in all actuality their uses are far more widespread than that. Cooks have been joined by welders, carpenters and more in their use of protective bib aprons.

What Are Bib Aprons?

The term bib aprons just specifies that the protective garment ties or hangs over the neck and drapes down over the body and part of your legs. These types of covers are used for a variety of different jobs, made out of a variety of different materials and come in dozens of different styles as well. While the term apron may still cause people to think of female only accessories, they are actually worn by millions of men in the workplace for far longer periods of time than women wear them in the kitchen.

Construction Aprons

Bucket Boss is one popular brand of cobbler aprons that are used by construction and shop workers or both sexes. They offer tool bibs with pockets of varying sizes for carrying tools of different sizes. They also include small pockets for the writing utensils and note pads that are an integral part of construction.

While tool bib style aprons are usually made of heavy duty cotton, welders bibs are usually made of leather or cowhide since they need to be able to repel heat and stand up to the occasional spark. Steiner is a popular welding bib apron designer that offers lightweight but heavy duty protective gear that is flame resistant and helps keep workers from being subjected to the full heat of their torch.

Kitchen Bib Apron

On a more feminine note, Jessie Steele has recently made great strides to bring vintage aprons back into the limelight. Her bib style aprons come in dozens of colors and styles that are less frumpy than a standard kitchen smock. The Josephine for example is a delicately designed pink and red polka dot cotton apron that is designed to fit in a flattering manner. Other designs come in colors like black, white, leopard print and even a French hostess design all for around $30 or less.

If frilly and decorative aprons don't spark any excitement in you, CornerStone offers basic, inexpensive, three pocket cotton bibs for cooking and grilling in a variety of solid colors without all the frills and decorations. These aprons are great for men, for cooks who prefer simplicity or for people who want to be able to personalize their own apron with monograms or other decorations.

Although the idea of an apron or bib might lead you think of cooking and grilling, they are actually used in a wide variety of industries. From carpentry and manufacturing to welding and metal work and yes, even in the kitchen, there are hundreds of different uses for bib aprons.