Cobbler Aprons

Cobbler aprons are for those who want that old-fashioned style back in their kitchens.

Cobbler aprons are one of the more unique styles of protective clothing on the market. Although they are commonly worn in different work environments like barbershops and dentists office where a bib apron wouldn't be conventional, their roots are actually hard to trace. While the general assumption is that shoemakers were the first to officially sport these old fashioned aprons, no one actually knows for sure. Regardless of where they came from, even to this day, the use of cobbler aprons in a work environment is quite common.

The Difference Between Bib Aprons & The Rest

The cobblers apron is different from other types of bib or waist styles because it actually offers protection for the back of the body instead of just the front. On top of that, it also covers the shoulders but not the arms, and protects the whole torso although it rarely extends more than a few inches below the waistline. One thing that it does have in common with bib aprons is that cobbler smocks will often feature pockets along the front waist line for note pads, pens, pencils and other tools. Instead of tying around the neck and waist, these clothing items actually tie or Velcro on the sides providing full front and back protection.

One of the most common places that the cobbler apron is seen is at the barbershop. You'll often see barbers in these sleeveless smock covers with tools like their scissors, comb and hair clips tucked away in the front pockets. They are also sometimes worn by optometrists, dental assistants and other medical assistants because they allow them to carry small items with them while still protecting their office clothing from any chemical spills or bodily fluids that may be present in the work area.

While the cobblers apron used to be quite popular in the home during the mid twentieth century, they aren't seen in domestic environments as often as they used to be. "Beansoup" however, is one company that is looking to bring back the cobbler apron, at least for children (check out aprons for kids). They have a wide variety of washable cotton sleeveless smocks with three front pockets for storage. These kids accessories come in a variety of patterns with childrens and toddler sizes for kids 2-7 years old and are around $35 each.

Augusta Sportswear offers a variety of solid colored options like blue, red, green or maroon for adults. They also offer a white polyester cotton blend for those who may want a more unique color like orange or pink aprons to coordinate with their own personal tastes or their business's color scheme. These smocks can also be personalized with fabric paint, decals or monogramming to give them a special touch.

While most people are more familiar with waist and bib aprons, sometimes a little more upper body coverage is needed. If you find yourself in need of full protection from the waist up, then you may want to consider looking to the past for inspiration and going out to purchase a few cobbler aprons.