The Right Apron for the Job
In the hospitality and catering industries there are so many different types of aprons to pick from, that it can often be tricky to know what to go for. Our apron buying guide explores the many types of aprons for front of house and back of house staff, not forgetting those in other apron-wearing professions too. Choose from our huge collection of aprons, including the standard striped butchers bib aprons, bistro aprons, and plenty more traditional catering styles. Not only do we stock a wide selection of apron styles in a variety of colours, all our aprons are offered at affordable prices to help you keep an eye on budgeting too.
SHOP ALL APRONS NOWAdvantages of Using Commercial Quality Aprons
When you’re running a food business or working in industrial or residential care, a domestic apron just won’t do. Prioritise health and safety for your customers and colleagues with our commercial aprons today.
- Sanitary Practise: Wearing an apron also helps to reduce cross-contamination between raw ingredients and cooked food, improving sanitary practise in the professional kitchen. In residential and industrial scale care, aprons allow you to do your job with precaution and coverage as defence against germs.
- Save & Spend: As well as protecting work uniforms for lasting use, our versatile unisex aprons are suitable for everybody. Unify the whole team and ensure your uniform budget is being used to its full potential.
- Handy Detail: Long, adjustable waist drawstrings help ensure a smarter fit and give servers somewhere to hang tea towels when they’re on the go. This is also true of adjustable neck buckle aprons. Apron pockets allow storage for all important working essentials, such as stationery.
TIP: Cross back aprons are particularly effective when your apron pocket is full to help distribute weight evenly.
- Extraordinary Eye-catching Ability: Using the right apron can help define your brand’s style. Tuxedo aprons add smartness whilst denim aprons encourage a casual atmosphere.
- Personalised Branding: Add a unique touch to your uniforms and make your brand even more memorable with our quick apron embroidery service. Choose from a collection of professional or decorative typefaces to suit your brand’s character. Simply pick your purchase and select ‘Personalise’ at checkout. Or, use your own logo by calling our team on 0845 140 5555.
Apron Types
Back of House Aprons |
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Style |
Look |
Length |
Description |
| Chef Aprons |
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Can vary, some chefs prefer waist aprons (also known as half aprons) as they are longer and give more coverage over legs. Most chefs choose a full length bib apron. |
No matter what you throw at them, chef aprons are hard-wearing, easycare for daily use and wonderful at keeping chef whites white. |
| Butcher Aprons |
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They are knee-length to protect against spatter when preparing raw meat, keeping your full uniform clean. |
The traditional striped butcher’s apron is made with easy laundering in mind. Particularly for those working in an abattoir, a butcher apron immediately shows up animal blood, fats and dirt. |
| Waterproof Aprons & Dishwasher Aprons |
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Waterproof aprons extend below the knees for full water resistance. |
Waterproof aprons are often referred to as Dishwasher Aprons for their stay-dry ability, as they are designed to repel liquids. |
| Tabards & Tabards with pockets |  |
Tabards cover the shoulders, chest and torso area. |
The classic cleaning tabard is a versatile piece of workwear. With side tabs to fasten or adjustable popper fastenings for better fit, tabards are best for environments where simple coveralls are needed rather than professional safety workwear. |
Front of House Aprons |
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Style |
Look |
Length |
Description |
| Standard Bistro apron |
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Knee length bistro aprons have a convenient length which makes movement easy, and adds a professional look to work uniforms. |
Flattering and functional, the bistro apron is the classic Front of House apron spotted in most cafés. They tie at waist level to help tuck in shirts and keep uniforms looking neat. |
| Short Bistro Aprons & Waist Aprons |  |
Short bistro aprons usually cut off around the mid-thigh area, or skim the tops of knees. |
Waist aprons are a modern reworking on the standard bistro apron classic. These aprons allow even greater leg movement with no restriction, and keep servers cool with less fabric. |
| Maid Aprons |  |
Maid aprons are generally about mid-thigh and are similar in length to waist aprons. |
Housekeeping apron…hotel apron…or maid apron. Whatever you call them, our Broderie anglaise frill aprons are a traditional part of housekeeping uniforms. |
| Hip Aprons & Money Pockets |  |
Hip aprons rest mid-thigh or higher. |
These modern unisex hip aprons are arguably the most comfortable aprons available. Less material means maximum, natural movement which allows you to feel casual in your surroundings whilst giving your professional best. |
| Tuxedo Aprons |  |
Full bib apron length, resting just on or above the knees. |
Classy tuxedo aprons have an elegant V-neck feature which is attractive and allows any of our formal work ties, bow ties, or floppy ties to be on display. |
| Disposable Aprons |  |
Disposable aprons act as a substitute full-length bib apron and are the same in length. |
Our disposable aprons are most effective as an alternative replacement for bib aprons. They also work well for hygienically sensitive work, such as raw meat preparation or medical situations as they are dispensable. |
Apron Material |
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Fabric |
Look |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Pure Cotton Aprons |  |
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| Cotton Denim Aprons |  |
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| Polyester Aprons |  |
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| PVC Nylon Aprons |  |
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| Polythene Aprons |  |
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Apron Anatomy
Although the traditional bib apron may look like a simplistic coverall, there are some features which are a must during creation to protect the wearer.
- The Neck Strap (available as an adjustable neck strap on a variety of our aprons) keeps the apron securely in place.
- Waist Ties do the same job, except around the hip to waist area. It’s common for these to be overly long in some styles, as some servers prefer to double knot and tie around the front of the apron rather than the traditional back tie.
- The Skirt does the job of protecting the bottom half of the wearer’s skin and clothes against incoming spray, spills, stains, or heat. Like the bib, the skirt also allows air to escape out of the apron, to improve circulation.
- An Apron Bib is used to protect the wearer’s chest from stains. This can be particularly useful with lightweight ingredients which rise before they settle, such as flour. We also stock a selection of wide bib aprons for a wider fit and extra coverage.
- Apron Pockets help free up storage space for stationery.
Aprons by Brand
Whites Chef Clothing
Resilient and simply designed for functionality, aprons from Whites Chefs Clothing offers affordability and attractiveness combined. Whites Chef Clothing is an international brand whose catering aprons are made of durable polycotton to keep you looking presentable.
Sewn-in anti-tangle apron ties are used in the majority of Whites aprons to help wearers quickly transition from leisure wear to workwear.
As well as durable Front of House polycotton aprons, Whites also stock fully-lined nylon waterproof aprons which are ideal for your back of house use.
Chef Works and Chef Works Urban Aprons
Designed for diversity, the Chef Works Urban range is an edgy street-inspired apron collection for when you’re veering away from the traditional caterer look. For independent artisan caterers and bakers looking to stand out, the modern fabrics and designs are especially effective.
Chef Works became notable for their Denim Aprons in 2014 when they were then launched as a web only exclusive. Made from breathable cotton denim, each denim apron combines ergonomic functionality with sophisticated fashion.
Chef Works are known for their impressive industry knowledge, allowing them to make innovative uniforms which surpass standard catering clothing as both fashionable and functional. In particular, their functional Cool Vent™ moisture management technology (found in their chef jackets and coats), actively keeps you cool in the kitchen. So much so in fact, it has been awarded Craft Guild of Chefs Approved Product status.
Burnguard Aprons
For protection against steam burns, chemicals, hot oils and grease splatters, these work aprons are the ideal choice. They feature VaporGuard® which is an industry renowned barrier against hot liquids and vapour. Created from hard-wearing nylon, these professional aprons are long lasting. Each Burnguard apron is constructed from 'QuicKlean' material for less time washing and simple wipe downs. We also stock specialist Burnguard oven mitts and cleaning gloves.
Apron FAQs
Do you stock extra-large or extra length aprons?
Yes. We sell full length extra-large bib aprons in black and white, and an XL navy butchers striped waist apron from Whites Chefs Clothing. We also sell extra wide bib aprons for enhanced heat shielding on select lines from Chef Works Urban.
For those after a little more leg length, we also sell hemming tape to help you out.
Do you offer personalised aprons or custom chef aprons?
We do, in fact we offer a whole variety of typefaces to personalise your aprons with, and crossed country flags too. Our two-day turnaround personalised apron embroidery service adds a professional custom finishing touch to your staff uniforms and protects them. Pick from the typefaces below, crossed full colour flags or collar flags on chef jacket collars.
We are also more than happy to embroider your own logos onto aprons to help you build your brand. Simply send us a copy of your artwork at the size you’d like it to appear on the apron and we’ll do the rest. You can read more about personalising aprons with your company logos here.
 Standard typefaces:
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 Crossed flags:
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 Collar flags:
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Embroidery at Nisbets
Embroidery at Nisbets
Get your chefs clothing embroidered at Nisbets. This video shows you how.I want something a bit different. Do you stock denim aprons?
Yes, we stock a large variety of on-trend cotton denim aprons to help modernise your uniform and refresh your staff look. Choose from the Whites Chef Clothing Southside denim aprons or Chef Works Urban aprons. Our denim aprons are provided in bistro and half bistro apron lengths, adjustable neck bib apron and regular bib apron styles, or as waist aprons and money pocket apron cuts.
Take your pick of denim apron colours, with Chef Works 'made to fade' aprons in everything from minimalist grey, natural light brown to indigo and indigo blue denim. Whites Chef Clothing offer black denim aprons.
Search 'denim aprons' on site to see more.
Which stylish aprons and artisan aprons do you have?
So many to choose from! The Chef Works Urban ever growing collection is full of street inspired pieces to influence your uniform update. As the exclusive UK supplier, we sell an ever expanding mixture of the sought after Chef Works and Chef Works Urban professional aprons, such as the Bekley anti-apron with braces for a casual dungaree look.
Don't see what you're after? Please call us on 0845 1405555 to order it in for you.
The Berkley 'anti-apron' by Chef Works
Meet the Chef Works Urban Berkeley Apron
Introducing the Berkeley Apron from Chef Works Urban collection; stylishly original in design, created for comfort, and crafted for ergonomic functionality in the workplace the Berkeley denim apron epitomises uniform with flair.We also have the popular style x-cross back aprons with pockets from Whites Chef Clothing in multiple colours. These are eye-catching for their unique back detail and helpful for servers as they allow any weight from pocket items to be distributed evenly across your body.
For formal, high-end restaurants our tuxedo aprons are a smart option. The v-neck style at the front of the apron allows ties and bowties to be easily shown off so you can maintain your suited attire and hygiene standards whilst looking the part.
What about kids aprons for cooking, do you sell those?
Yes, in our Children’s Chefwear category we sell adjustable neck aprons for children aged 5 – 12 years. You can also choose from other kids cooking items such a traditional chef beanies and chef toques.
Does your selection include disposable aprons for kitchen use?
Yes, we stock blue and white disposable aprons. For dishwasher aprons, we also sell fully lined waterproof aprons.
TIP: Learn more about the Chef Works brand with the Chef Works Spotlight and keep up to date with our Chef Shop for the best chef clothing online.