friday finds: apron strings re-attached

EVEN BETTY CROCKER would have been beside herself. As I walked the floor of the 2009 New York International Gift Fair, I was overwhelmed by booth display after booth display of that unmistakable symbol of domesticity: the humble apron. They were everywhere.

The designs of these kitchen-inspired entrepreneurial efforts were not your Food Network, white-aproned, professional-chef -looking variety. They were ruffled and retro, modern and patterned, diva and domestic. Oh — and cute. Kitsch*n Glam stood out with its variety of styles and accessories, including tea towels, potholders, oven mitts, men's aprons and baby bibs. An everyday kitchen ensemble, if you will.

Seems that with everyone heading into the kitchen to prepare a family meal, entertain friends or bake their latest batch of specialty cupcakes, the apron has become a utilitarian accessory once again. Hard to fathom for many Boomer women, who longed to cut the binding ties that the apron strings represented. But for the Xers and the Millennials the stigma has disappeared, and what remains is the ability to trade on a rich history of homespun goodness. The likes of which we're all craving in these uncertain times.

But this stringed fashion phenomenon is not showing up only in a store near you. A quick search on etsy.com turned up 16,304 results for handmade aprons. Certainly handy for a holiday gift. While writer and apron archaeologist EllyAnne Geisel has made a newfound career from aprons, including publishing three best-selling books, designing new patterns and producing a traveling museum show.

What's next? Well, mark November 25, 2009 on your calendar ... and get ready to Tie One On.