History of an apron from antiquity to modern times

Currently, such a household item as an apron is part of the working form and is mainly available to maintenance staff and housewives, although the history of the apron is rooted in the deep past. After all, the fig leaves for Adam and Eve served as nothing more than a cover for the naked body, performing the role of an apron.

History of the origin of the apron

It is believed that the first aprons appeared in men of ancient Egypt, who were on duty, as well as with pharaohs, in order to emphasize their status. The apron looked like a cloth drapery attached to a leather belt. Later the apron was made wider, so that it could be wrapped around the body and fastened in front. The facade of this false skirt could be trapezoid, fan or triangular.

The ancient Greeks also wore an apron, fastening it over the bottom of the blouse - the chiton. In the Cretan inhabitants, the apron dressed obliquely, covering the hip of one leg to the knee, and was decorated with embroidered patterns. In ancient Rome aprons were worn by soldiers, gladiators and priests.

In the Middle Ages the apron began to spread across Europe. Hoping as a uniform, it has become an integral part of the garments of blacksmiths, shoemakers, craftsmen, cooks and various kinds of artisans.

Aprons for women

The history of the apron tells that over time it became an attribute of the women's wardrobe. Aprons became an ornament of women's dress and were bought for different celebrations and trips to the light. The aprons were colored, double, with rich decoration, lace and embroidery. Fashion dictated the mandatory presence of an apron for every European woman. The apron was tied behind, forming the upper skirt. Before going to the table, the woman covered the dress with a tablet - a large napkin that was placed on her knees before eating. In special cases, the apron was attached to the cloak as a fashion accessory. In the future, wearing an apron has become a tradition among ordinary people. Peasant girls also began to wear aprons, only as a protection for their clothes. They were made of simple and light materials, such as linen or white linen. Rich ladies wore aprons of muslin with lace or embroidery.

The apron in Russia

The history of the apron in Russia is born in the 17th century. Russian aprons were sewed from fabric into a cage, had red ties and were decorated along the edges of the trim. The apron was a symbol of fertility and well-being. Children were wrapped in it, wishing them a happy life, filling it with grain, asking for a plentiful harvest, they put on the doorstep in front of the newlyweds entering the house, viewing the apron as a symbol of prosperity. The apron became a part of the national costume of Russian women. It was sewn from cotton, linen or woolen fabric. For the holidays they wore light aprons, decorated with ribbons, nature symbols and embroidery. He wore an apron for a women's sarafan and could have shoulders and a back.

The history of an apron as an ornament of rich ladies ended after the First World War. Women took on responsibilities in the house, and the apron became an element of production clothing.

Aprons for children

It is worth mentioning aprons for children. In the 16th and 17th centuries, children, both girls and boys, were dressed identically. And part of the children's clothes was an apron with fewer decorative elements, unlike the elements of the ladies' wardrobe. Children's aprons served as a protection for the dress from dirt and dust. Nevertheless, the aprons were adorable and beautiful. In the 19th century, the apron was supplemented with breast and back and resembled a sarafan.

Later, children's aprons began to be worn in educational institutions. In Russia in 1896 there was the first school uniform for girls-girls. It consisted of a strict monophonic dress and apron. The girls had two aprons. One apron - black - was worn every day, and the white apron was meant for solemn occasions. The students went to dresses not only in the gymnasium, but also in the theaters, churches and various festivals. After the revolution, peasant children began to study in schools, which went about in everyday clothes, and the school uniform was forgotten. And only in 1948 the apron returned to the shoulders of schoolgirls. To date, after the abolition of the form in 1992, white aprons like to wear graduates of secondary schools.

The role of an apron in modern life

At present aprons, as before, are used by fishermen, such as shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, blacksmiths, bakers and other artisans. Also aprons are available for cleaners, sellers, waiters, hairdressers and housewives.

Professional modern aprons, offered by manufacturers, are sewn for individual professions with certain requirements. The main criterion is the presence and convenient placement of pockets. It is also important that the apron has a universal size and can be adjusted to any shape, was not too long and free to move. On the aprons, various inscriptions and logos are placed on request. Material for the apron is chosen wear-resistant, as the product will often wear off.

Often, moms are faced with the fact that an apron is asked to bring to the kindergarten for the child. Children are engaged in creativity, work with plasticine and paints. That clothes remained clean, and the tutor did not spend time on dressing up each child, he needs a children's apron. The apron, the photo of which is shown above, can be sewn by hand.