Best aprons for adults and kids

No longer just a rag to throw on when nobody is looking, the humble apron now comes with added cool points.

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Abha Shah @brimfulofashah17 January 2023
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Even the most hopeless home cook is likely to have spent time in the kitchen during coronavirus-induced quarantine. Since life has returned to normal for many of us, that doesn’t mean you have to stop honing your newfound craft just yet.

Whether you’ve tried your hand at the likes of sourdough bread baking, making pasta from scratch, or you’re seasoning your skills in preparation for the next series of MasterChef, culinary adventures big and small all need one thing: a decent apron to keep you free of spills and stains.

Luckily the choice in the world of kitchen aprons is huge: think pockets, patterns and bespoke designs. And they're not just for cooking either; use them to protect your clothes for everything from performing household chores to DIY like painting the walls. There are even leather iterations, good for wearing while repairing appliances or tending to the barbecue grill.

We’ve sifted through the options and brought you the best for your browsing pleasure below.

Scroll on to see our favourite aprons for men, women - plus a few fun options for the kids.

Adult aprons for men and women

Le Creuset Chef’s Apron

From Ramsay to Heston, no pro chef is without their apron. Le Creuset’s smart monochrome look is made from strong canvas and is heat, steam and stain resistant, keeping you stain free through any number of culinary experiments.

Buy now£50, John Lewis

Nathalie Lete Helena Apron

A beautiful artist collaboration, this pretty floral-print pinny is exclusive to Anthropologie. Made from breathable cotton that’s easy to wash, it features two front pockets and pale pink ties for the neck and waist for a precise fit.

Buy now£26.26, Anthropologie

Blue & White Butchers Kitchen Cooks Apron

A serious apron for a serious cook, this bistro-style design has the classic look of a seasoned kitchen professional. Measuring 37" length x 27" width it’s a generous fit that should cover most body shapes.

Also available in red stripe and plain white.

Buy now£6.50, Amazon

Tori Murphy Chevy Apron

Woven and made in England, this luxurious chevron design comes with herringbone neck and waist ties and is made from pure cotton.

Buy now£80, Tori Murphy

Thornback & Peel Rabbit and Cabbage Apron

Celebrating the smaller creatures this quaint apron from Thronback and Peel is offered in a wide range of styles. A sellout hit at Fortnum & Mason, you can still pick one up online through Amazon. See the full range here.

Buy now£19.59, Amazon

FirstKitchen Lovely Classic Style Cooking Apron

Move over Nigella, there’s a new domestic goddess in town! This super cute rose-print apron is made from soft cotton, which makes it easier to clean, and there are two side pockets to stash ingredients and tools if you need them.

Buy now£13.99, Amazon

Cooksmart Bee Happy Pure Cotton Apron

Make cooking more of a pleasure with this colourful apron. The fun bees and bloom design is extra long falling to just above the knee, keeping you protected whether you’re whipping up a cake or doing some dusting. It makes a lovely gift too.

Buy now£7.79, Amazon

Orla Kiely Tomato Cantaloupe Melon Apron

Orla Kiely

Irish design behemoth Orla Kiely’s boldly patterned apron will bring statement style to your kitchen creations instantly.

Spills, stains and other kitchen mess are easy to get rid of: just sling it into the washing machine and it’ll be as good as new. This design has a pocket on the front to hold essentials such as utensils and recipe cards.

Buy now£20.49, Amazon

Homescapes Red Hearts Cotton Apron

Debenhamsq

A kitchen staple from Debenhams’ in-house range, this cotton design comes with a pocket and an adjustable neck loop.

Buy now£12.99, Debenhams

Aprons for kids

Sophie Allport Space Kids Apron

Homeschooling kids? This all-purpose apron is ideal for a variety of activities, from painting posters to pastry-making.

It’s wipe-clean and water resistant too, making it perfect for keeping their clothes (if not their hands and faces) as spotless as possible

Buy now£20, Amazon

TOPPKLOCKA Children’s apron with chef’s hat, white/yellow

If you’re planning to recruit your own sous chef, dressing them up as one could go a long way to kindling their enthusiasm. This white and yellow set comes with a chef’s hat for extra authenticity.

Buy now£7, Ikea

Ulster Weavers Child’s PVC Apron Sloth Hanging Around

Ulster Weavers

Adorbale sleepy sloths are adorned all over this cute PVC apron, making it perfect for coaxing small hands into the kitchen.

Buy now£13.95, Amazon

Verdict

From one of the most reputable cookware brands around, our cream of the apron crop goes to Le Creuset Chef’s Apron. The heat, steam and stain resistance means it will protect you from all sort of spills and splatters and stay looking as good as new with a quick spin in the washing machine.