Long before pioneer woman wore their pinafores across the plains in covered wagons the apron was an important part of the wardrobe of women and children around the world and across the centuries. In the early 19th century, because doing the laundry did not mean what it does today woman, children, and even men wore aprons to protect their clothes from wear and dirt. Aprons could be easily laundered and appear fresh when put on over almost any garment. The kitchen apron and work aprons of long ago were usually white and could be boiled and washed with lye soap. In the 20th century aprons became more decorative and fun. By the 1940's cotton calico and printed feed sacks were the fabrics of choice for kitchen and cooking aprons. For heavy housecleaning an apron more like a smock was worn. Soon the apron became more of an adornment when serving a casual or more formal meal or dessert to friends and family.

      In the parlors of England, France, and through-out Europe, aprons were worn by the most menial servant to the Lady's maid, by the cobbler to the blacksmith, by the lady of the house when she supervised her household staff to the Nanny when she schooled the  children of the house. The children, of course, would be wearing aprons to keep them clean and presentable, no matter what they did. Women did their marketing and gardening while wearing aprons. Nurses wore aprons from the time they began caring for the sick. Pictures of  Florence Nightengale and her lamp always showed her with an apron. Student nurses kept their aprons on until they graduated as Registered Nurses. That was true at least into the 1970's.

       Kids Aprons have long been considered a most important garment. Apron and More's Kids' Aprons are patterened after mother's aprons and smocks. They provide an air of confidence and pride when the wearer is baking cookies at mother's or grandmother's side or standing at an easel and crafting a creation for the hall gallery or the refrigerator magnet.