Stove-side Stylin'
It's not the first time that kitchen couture has been mentioned on this site, but it is most definitely the first time that the once-lowly apron can lay claim as a hip - and sometimes costly- must-have, retro-chic fashion accessory. According to the Wall Street Journal:
Once seen as a symbol of women's domestic drudgery, marketers are pitching a new kind of apron -- one that hugs the body to show off curves, with colorful, vampy designs that have little to do with sweating over a hot stove...
..The latest, hottest-selling feminine designs represent women's new embrace of domesticity on their own terms, combining practicality and sex appeal. "They're about looking fabulous," says Anna Wang, who designs a line of aprons known as Kitsch'n Glam even though she never cooks. "I'm a microwaver," she says.
Ms. Wang's aprons resemble skirts and halter-dresses more than gear that protects against splatters. Priced from $42 to $62, the collection ranges from sophisticated prints to kitschy black-and-white French maid styles and are available in more than 100 boutiques in the U.S. -- including at Anthropologie stores, known for selling books and offbeat accessories amid trendy women's clothing.
Apron chic taps into a rising interest in home entertaining and gourmet cooking -- the same trends that have spurred more people into staying at home to catch the spate of new cooking programs hosted by beautiful people such as Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver.
Though designers of fashion aprons say they haven't broken into mainstream department stores yet -- most sell their products mainly through clothing and gift boutiques, specialty cooking stores, or their own Web sites -- sales are solid and growing...
And the fashionable tidbit that really caught my fancy:
The updated styles come with updated prices. Stylish aprons average around $35 but climb as high as $200.
$200 smackaroos?!? They've got to be kidding! It had better whip up dinner on its own at that pricetag - or at least be made of watersoluble black patent leather (for use in rooms other than the kitchen).