Want to read in Dutch? Click here
As a hospitality employee, you are the face of the company for the customer. You are the point of contact, the service provider, and part of the atmosphere within the business. As a fan of workwear, I always enjoy seeing what people wear.
My favorite garment is the apron or the waist apron. What does the company choose and how is it worn? While every establishment chooses its own style, there are also trends for aprons in the hospitality industry. In this article, I will tell you what is popular, the pros and cons of these trends, and what my favorites are.
Denim
In recent years, you see more and more aprons and waist aprons (an apron that only covers the thighs) made from denim. They are often combined with other casual items such as T-shirts and jeans. It’s no surprise that you see this so often. Casual wear and associated fabrics have become increasingly popular. A formal appearance is now quickly perceived as oppressive, and hospitality businesses are responding to this. With a jeans apron or waist apron, you quickly look cool, and the neutral color makes them easy to combine with various types of sneakers.
The downside of denim is that the fabric is prone to fading. Especially when it comes to sunlight and machine washing, this fabric is not the easiest. A sturdy, white fabric can be washed at a high temperature and will not fade due to UV rays.
Leather
Besides denim, leather has also become increasingly popular in recent years. This material is also far from formal and mainly creates a confident look. Where denim is the casual guy with sneakers, leather feels more like the tough, older brother with a beard. Leather exudes both strength and stability. It’s somewhat comparable to wool, which gives you a friendly look due to its soft texture.
The major downside of leather is that you can’t throw it in the washing machine with the rest of your clothes. It requires a different cleaning method and is much more sensitive to sunlight. That’s why you less often see an apron or waist apron made entirely of leather. Usually, only details such as a belt or loop are made of leather.
Sustainable workwear
Along with the casualization, people have also become more aware of the environment and what we eat. This has resulted in more restaurants focusing on vegetarian or vegan dishes. Where you used to have to really look for these dishes on the menu, they are now clearly indicated.
As a result, hospitality businesses that respond to this often extend this mindset to other elements of the company. Thus, there is more often a choice for aprons and waist aprons made from sustainable materials.
My favorite aprons in the hospitality industry
While I can certainly appreciate a denim or leather apron, they are not my favorite materials for hospitality clothing. I find colorful aprons or waist aprons the most fun to see. Whether with a print or a special detail like a V-neck or unique trim, these aprons make the staff stand out, making it easy to approach someone.
I also get very happy when I see thought has been put into the combination. So, when something in the outfit matches the color or print of the apron or waist apron. Think of a pair of shoes, a blouse, or small details such as brooches, makeup, or jewelry. It is, as always, the energy someone puts into it that makes it so unique and fun to look at.
What type of aprons or waist aprons do you like to see?
Best regards,
Aileen