Vintage, Antique, Retro Aprons

50 Vintage & Retro Aprons You Can Buy Today

Aprons have been a staple homeware item for centuries. Mainly reserved for use by the woman or domestic servant of the house, until recent years, all of us now probably own an apron or two in our homes. From novelty items such as ‘kiss the chef’ motifs to practical pieces such as half and full items; a vintage apron is a great way to add a touch of retro or unique style to your home in an affordable and functional way.

What to Look For When Purchasing a Vintage Apron

When purchasing any form of antique or vintage textile item you should be aware of the following points:

  • Read the Measurements: Vintage sizes differ greatly from modern-day sizing, and in general clothing of yesterday was sized far smaller than today’s clothes. Instead, when looking at a vintage apron, look at the measurements and compare them to your own.
  • Research the Material: Vintage clothing (including aprons) often experimented with far more delicate materials such as lace and organza. These materials can often only be hand-washed, which suited the lifestyles of the era; as many housewives stuck to hand-washing items, but may not be convenient for modern-day use.
  • Check for Damage: Review the items’os and description carefully; are there any stains or damage to the apron such as moth holes, or fraying?
  • How was the item found/stored?: We’ve all been in a thrift store and smelt *that* smell. Musty and damp, this unpleasant odor can cling to vintage textile pieces and be hard to get rid of even after multiple washes. Read up in the item description about where the item was sourced, or, ask the seller/check previous reviews to avoid unpleasant pieces. The same can be said for items from smoke-free and pet-free homes, which can be a concern if you or your family have allergies.
  • Upcycling Opportunities: Due to their simple construction, vintage aprons are great for upcycling into new pieces. With many aprons having enough fabulous vintage fabric to be turned into cushions or small homeware items, or even being reworked into a dress or skirt; vintage aprons can be a great way to get some killer retro fabric for a more affordable price – it just requires a little thinking outside the box!

Vintage Aprons for Sale

We’ve trawled Etsy to find the best selection of vintage, antique, and retro aprons for your home or upcycle project. We’ve broken our list down into categories including different ages, styles, and themes, to help you to find the perfect piece for you.

I) Vintage aprons

1. Vintage Psychedelic Mod Bib Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Hot pink with multicolored paisley pattern
Price: $15.00


Vintage Psychedelic Mod Bib Apron
This 1960s full apron features a psychedelic paisley design that epitomizes the era of the swinging 60s

Buy this apron here.


2. Antique French Embroidered Apron

Year: 1900s
Color: White
Price: $55.25


Antique French Embroidered Apron
This antique apron dates to the start of the 20th century and was made in France and features delicate embroidery work.

Buy this apron here.


3. Antique French apron

Year: 1910s
Color: White
Price: $144.87


Antique French apron
This antique apron was made in France over 100 years ago and features a simple design and silhouette.

Buy this apron here.


4. 1950s apron, vintage, black and white with yellow trim

Year: 1950s
Color: Black and white, yellow trim
Price: $18.99


1950s apron, vintage, black and white with yellow trim
This full apron dates from the 1950s and includes a heart-shaped pocked and stand-out yellow trim detail.

Buy this apron here.


5. Purple Vintage Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Purple, white, green
Price: $19.00


Purple Vintage Apron
This vintage half-apron dates from the 1950s and has a unique detailed waistline and patchwork pattern.

Buy this apron here.


II) Vintage Aprons With Pockets

1. Vintage 1960s Hostess Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Sheer white with green accents
Price: $16.00


Vintage 1960s Hostess Apron
This 1960s half-apron is mainly constructed from sheer fabric with green scalloping and floral pockets.

Buy this apron here.


2. Vintage Green and Yellow Floral Half Apron With Pocket

Year: 1970s
Color: White, green, yellow
Price: $15.00


Vintage Green and Yellow Floral Half Apron With Pocket
This long half apron has a handkerchief-style pocket and a floral design with a contrasting waistband.

Buy this apron here.


3. Vintage Floral Apron with Ruffles and a Sweetheart Pocket

Year: 1950s
Color: White with floral pattern
Price: $36.00


Vintage Floral Apron with Ruffles and a Sweetheart Pocket
This half apron features a ruffled hem, sinched in a waist, and an adorable heart-shaped pocket.

Buy this apron here.


4. Vintage Sheer Organza and Lace Apron, with Heart-shaped Pocket

Year: 1950s
Color: Sheer white, with pale yellow flowers
Price: $36.00


Vintage Sheer Organza and Lace Apron, with Heart-shaped Pocket
This half-apron is constructed from delicate organza and lace and has a heart-shaped pocket with a subtle floral pattern.

Buy this apron here.


5. Vintage Embroidered Apron, Full Apron with Pocket

Year: 1960s
Color: White with red trim
Price: $45.00


Vintage Embroidered Apron, Full Apron with Pocket
This 1960s full apron includes two pockets and a red trim with an eye-catching puppy design on the lower half.

Buy this apron here.


6. Vintage Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: Brown with green and orange accents
Price: $10.00


Vintage Apron
This apron dates from around the 1970s and includes a large pocket with ric-rac trim and a patchwork pattern.

Buy this apron here.


7. Beautiful Vintage Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Blue, white, with a heart-shaped pattern
Price: $18.00



This half-apron dates from the 1950s and has ruffled edging with a delicate heart-shaped pattern and two pockets.

Buy this apron here.


III) Vintage Half Aprons

1. Vintage Mid Century Waist Tie Half Apron Retro Print Cotton

Year: 1950s
Color: Red with a multi-colored design
Price: $12.95


Vintage Mid Century Waist Tie Half Apron Retro Print Cotton
This red half-apron has a midcentury modern-style design and features a cinched in waist.

Buy this apron here.


2. Vintage Apron Kitchen Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Red and white
Price: $7.95


Vintage Apron Kitchen Apron
This half apron has a red and white design with two pockets and ties around the waist.

Buy this apron here.


3. Pretty Vintage Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Yellow and Green
Price: $15.00



This half apron is made from floral-printed cotton and has dark green piping with a pocket.

Buy this apron here.


4. Vintage Apron burlap pocket

Year: 1950s
Color: Brown, autumnal tones.
Price: $8.00


Vintage Apron burlap pocket
This unique half-apron has burlap pockets and stunning forest-themed fabric.

Buy this apron here.


5. Antique Silk Apron Ukrainian Apron

Year: 1930s
Color: Muted gold
Price: $29.00


Antique Silk Apron Ukrainian Apron
This antique apron is made of silk and is from Ukraine, dating from the 1930s the style of this apron is heavily influenced by Asian culture.

Buy this apron here.


6. Antique Embroidered Apron Ukrainian

Year: 1930s
Color: White with red accents
Price: $46.00



This antique apron is from Ukraine and features classic Eastern European embroidery work.

Buy this apron here.


7. Antique Apron Kilim Vintage Apron

Year: 1970’s
Color: Plum, orange, blue
Price: $36.00


Antique Apron Kilim Vintage Apron
This bohemian apron features tassels and embroidery work and is uniquely long coming to ankle=level.

Buy this apron here.


IV) Grandma-style Aprons

1. Retro Floral Cobbler’s Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: Purple with yellow accents
Price: $35.00


Retro Floral Cobbler's Apron
This pinafore style apron referred to as a ‘cobblers’ apron, was made around the 1970s and ties at the waist.

Buy this apron here.


2. Lot of 2 Vintage Cobbler Smock Aprons

Year: 1960s
Color: Blue and pink
Price: $13.95


Lot of 2 Vintage Cobbler Smock Aprons
This pair of smock-style aprons date from the 1960s and are in contrasting colors but both with a floral pattern.

Buy this apron here.


3. Bib Apron Pinafore Vintage

Year: 1930’s
Color: Pastel pink and blue
Price: $35.00



This soft pastel bib-style apron was made from flour sack material in the 1930s.

Buy this apron here.


4. Vintage “GOD Bless Grandma” Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: White
Price: $12.00



This floral print novelty apron features a decorative pocket that reads ‘God Bless Grandma’.

Buy this apron here.


5. Vintage 1960s Women’s Cooking

Year: 1960s
Color: Blue
Price: $19.50


Vintage 1960s Women's Cooking
This baking apron features a frilled neck and has a large pocket along the bottom edge.

Buy this apron here.


6. Vintage Apron Full apron Floral Print

Year: 1950s
Color: Mixed floral, orange, purple, etc.
Price: $30.00


Vintage Apron Full apron Floral Print
This full apron features white piping detail and a delicate floral pattern.

Buy this apron here.


V) Retro Aprons

1. Vintage Apron, Yellow, and Brown Checked

Year: 1970s
Color: Yellow and Brown
Price: $25.00


Vintage Apron, Yellow, and Brown Checked
This retro half apron cinches in at the waist and has retro sunflowers printed on it which are indicative of the era.

Buy this apron here.


2. Retro Vintage 50s Style Full Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Pink and White
Price: $44.60



This sweetheart neckline full apron epitomizes the style of the 1950s era

Buy this apron here.


3. Vintage Full Hostess Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: White, black, green, purple
Price: $22.00


Vintage Full Hostess Apron
This apron combines the frilly housewife style with the midcentury modern design both prevalent in the 1950s.

Buy this apron here.


4. Vintage Red & White Polka Dot Half Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Red and White
Price: $28.85


Vintage Red & White Polka Dot Half Apron
This red and white retro apron has a polka dot pattern and can be tied into a full bow at the back.

Buy this apron here.


5. 90s Teal Blue and White Mini Polka Dot Apron

Year: 1990s
Color: Teal and white
Price: $10.00



This 90s full-length apron has two large pockets and a farmhouse-style baking motif on the front panel.

Buy this apron here.


VI) Farmhouse- Style Aprons

1. Vintage 1950’s Apron // Red With White Polka Dots

Year: 1950s
Color: Red and White
Price: $17.00


Vintage 1950's Apron
This farmhouse-style apron dates from the 1950s and has a high neck, cinched waist, and embroidered detailing around the neckline.

Buy this apron here.


2. Vintage Full Farm Apron, Country Farmhouse Apron with Ties

Year: 1980s
Color: Blue and white stripes
Price: $18.00


Vintage Full Farm Apron, Country Farmhouse Apron with Ties
This printed apron from the 1980s features a nostalgic farmhouse scene on the front panel and a cow motif on the straps.

Buy this apron here.


3. Full-Length Faux Patchwork Half Apron with Elasticized Smocked Waist

Year: 1980s
Color: Multi-colored patchwork
Price: $18.00


Full-Length Faux Patchwork Half Apron with Elasticized Smocked Waist
This unusual floor-length half apron oozes farmhouse nostalgia with a pleasing patchwork design.

Buy this apron here.


4. Aprons / Vintage Cotton / Vintage Fashion

Year: 1950s
Color: Green and white
Price: $18.00



This simple half apron has a green and white checkered pattern with pockets and embroidered detailing.

Buy this apron here.


5. Mid Century Smock Apron Full Cotton Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: White, yellow, red
Price: $38.00


Mid Century Smock Apron Full Cotton Apron
This farmhouse-style pinafore apron features a fruit pattern with lemons and apples and has a large pocket with red trim.

Buy this apron here.


VII) Pinafore Aprons

1. Pinafore Apron

Year: 1980s
Color: Blue
Price: $14.49



This pinafore apron dates to the 1980s and includes a quirky patch pocket in the form of an apple.

Buy this apron here.


2. Vintage Hostess Apron Mid Century Modern Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: Teal, pink, green
Price: $29.29


Vintage Hostess Apron Mid Century Modern Apron
This apron has a sailor-style neckline with a bow and has two pockets with pink piping.

Buy this apron here.


3. Pink Floral Full Apron

Year: 1940s
Color: Pastel pink and white
Price: $20.00



This Pinafore-style apron has a dainty floral design and two pockets with pale pink detailing.

Buy this apron here.


4. 1940s Wrap Apron

Year: Modern recreation
Color: Brown with blue piping
Price: $55.00


1940s Wrap Apron
This is an authentic recreation of a 1940’s wrap apron. Sewn-in authentic fabric with contrast piping this item perfectly matches those that were worn during wartime.

Buy this apron here.


VIII) Apron Collections

1. SALE 12 Vintage Aprons Collection Large Apron Lot Retro 1950s 1960s

Year: 1950s/60s
Color: Assorted colors
Price: $79.00


SALE 12 Vintage Aprons Collection Large Apron Lot Retro 1950s 1960s
This assortment of 12 aprons dates from the 1950s and 60s and includes decorative and novelty designs.

Buy this apron here.


2. Lot of 4 Vintage Aprons, 1950s 1960s Hostess Apron

Year: 1950s/60s
Color: Green, pink, blue
Price: £29.00


Lot of 4 Vintage Aprons, 1950s 1960s Hostess Apron
This is a collection of 4 mid-century hostess-style half aprons in varying colors and styles.

Buy this apron here.


3. Vintage Half Apron selection, Waist Length Cafe Aprons

Year: 1950s
Color: Assorted Colors
Price: $23.02


Vintage Half Apron selection, Waist Length Cafe Aprons
Here you can pick from a choice of 1950s hostess-style half aprons in various patterns.

Buy this apron here.


IX) Printed Aprons

1. Vintage Cotton Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Orange and White
Price: $34.00



This printed vintage apron has an adorable forest scene with chipmunks along its hem.

Buy this apron here.


2. Cute Vintage Novelty Half Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Pink
Price: $18.00


Cute Vintage Novelty Half Apron
This adorable novelty apron features a whimsical image printed on its pocket.

Buy this apron here.


3. Floral Half Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Yellow, blue, green
Price: $15.00


Floral Half Apron
This feminine apron has a cinched waist and features an intricate printed floral design.

Buy this apron here.


4. Vintage 50s Cotton Red White Polka Dot Novelty Half Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Red and White
Price: $19.00



This novelty apron has a comical design on its front pocket and includes a cinched waist.

Buy this apron here.


5. Salzburger Nockerl Recipe Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: Green, multiple colors.
Price: $20.00


Salzburger Nockerl Recipe Apron
This novelty apron would have been picked up by a tourist in the 1970s and features a classic Barvarian design.

Buy this apron here.


X) Embroidered Aprons

1. Vintage Black and White Embroidered Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: White and Black
Price: $14.00


Vintage Black and White Embroidered Apron
This simple apron dates from the 1950s and has striking black hand-sewn embroidery on each side.

Buy this apron here.


2. Vintage Floral Embroidered Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: White, purple, green, yellow
Price: $32.00



This French maid-style apron has floral embroidery on its bottom edge and is hemmed with lace.

Buy this apron here.


3. Vintage Embroidered Apron

Year: 1980s
Color: Beige, brown
Price: $12.00



This neutral-toned half apron features squared embroidery across its lower edge and has two pockets.

Buy this apron here.


4. Vintage Half Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Pink
Price: $18.00



This checkered half apron has hand embroidery/cross-stitch that depicts a classic farming scene.

Buy this apron here.


5. Aprons / Vintage Cotton

Year: 1950s
Color: Red, white, black
Price: $18.00



This red gingham half apron dates from the 1950s and has simple embroidered designs on the lower and top hems.

Buy this apron here.


6. Pinafore Apron, Japanese Style Apron

Year: 1970s
Color: Red and white
Price: $70.00


Pinafore Apron
This Japanese-style apron features hand-embroidered deep pockets.

Buy this apron here.


7. Vintage Green Gingham Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Green and white
Price: $24.00


Vintage Green Gingham Apron
This half apron features a cross-stitched colonial-style design on green gingham fabric.

Buy this apron here.


XI) Seasonal Aprons

1. Vintage 1950 Organza Half Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Teal, red, white
Price: $16.00


Vintage 1950 Organza Half Apron
This festive apron is teal organza and features striped piping designed to imitate candy canes.

Buy this apron here.


2. Vintage 50s Organza Christmas Hostess Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: White, red, green
Price: $18.00



This delicate organza hostess-style apron has embroidered holly and mistletoe and has a decorative waistband.

Buy this apron here.


3. Vintage Christmas Apron

Year: 1960s
Color: Red, green, white
Price: $15.00


Vintage Christmas Apron
This Christmas apron features iconic 1960s festive designs such as Santa and Reindeer.

Buy this apron here.


4. Vintage Christmas Apron

Year: 1950s
Color: Black, white, green, red
Price: $18.00


Vintage Christmas Apron
This funky vintage apron has black and white gingham with stand-out green and red printed bows.

Buy this apron here.


Final Thoughts

We like to think of an apron as a little piece of social history that you can purchase for just a few bucks. A great way to add a touch of retro flair to a kitchen while still being practical, a vintage apron can also be easily upcycled, and can be an affordable way of acquiring vintage fabric. Better still, a vintage apron can also make for a fun and unique housewarming present or a thoughtful gift for the baker or home chef in your life. Whatever reason you’re looking to purchase a vintage apron, we hope our list has provided plenty of food for thought!

 

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