How to Choose the Ideal Aprons for Your Restaurant’s Staff

The humble apron is like a superhero’s cape for restaurant workers. You simply put it on and instantly transform into a chef who prepares mouthwatering dishes or a lightning-fast waiter. The apron is the piece of restaurant attire that makes cooking and serving tables much easier. It helps staff stay clean and presentable by protecting them from spills, splashes, and other stains. An apron can also be used as a promotional tool if it is chosen correctly.

Given the importance of the simple apron to restaurants and their staff, restaurant managers should focus on selecting a durable, useful, and stylish design. Here are some crucial factors to consider while choosing the ideal aprons for your employees.

Fabrics

Restaurant workers will appreciate textiles that allow their skin to breathe better and provide a lot of flexibility of movement because restaurants can be very busy environments. And when it comes to breathability and comfort, a cotton apron is a popular choice. Cotton aprons are also available in a variety of hues, allowing you to design a uniform with a vibrant colour palette if that’s what you want.

In order to be easier to maintain after a day of spills and drips, the materials should also be stain and wrinkle-resistant. Uniforms constructed of flame-retardant materials may also be required for kitchen employees.

A denim apron is another good option. It’s also made of cotton, however, it varies from conventional cotton in that the thread is twisted considerably more tightly. As a result, it’s a durable fabric that can survive harsh conditions and everyday use. A denim work apron is very simple to keep clean. It doesn’t wrinkle, and stains don’t show up as easily on dark denim. However, it’s not preferred to be used in hot environments or during the summer as it’s not as breathable as cotton.

Apron Types

Aprons for restaurants come in a variety of styles depending on the portion of the body they are protecting.

• Pinafore – A sleeveless apron with wide shoulder straps that looks like a jumper. It has a back that is fastened or buttoned.
• Bungalow apron – It provides additional body shielding and protection. This type of apron has kimono-style sleeves and a length that is past the knees.
• Bib – Of the several types of aprons available, the bib is the most popular among restaurant employees. The bib, also known as the chef’s apron, is a traditional cotton apron composed of a single piece of fabric that wraps around the person’s neck, ties in the back, and ends just below the knees. Chefs and kitchen workers choose this lightweight, easy-to-wear apron because it provides excellent protection from spills and stains.
• Tuxedo apron – Similar to the bib but with a tie for added elegance, is typically worn by waiters in fine dining establishments. For added convenience, both the bib and the tuxedo can have pockets.
• Waist apron – This apron was created to keep waiters in cafés safe from spillage. It can be knee-length or full-length, and it usually has pockets for carrying a pen and a notebook, as well as some change.

Design

Employees in a restaurant must present themselves in the best possible light. After all, you only have one chance to create a good first impression, so make it count.

That being said, when selecting your aprons, it’s also crucial to consider the style component. Because you’ll be interacting with a wide spectrum of customers, a subtle and timeless choice like a cotton apron in a neutral colour that complements the rest of the uniform is a suitable choice.

Darker colours like grey, dark blue, brown, and black are appropriate for more modern restaurants and cafes, but white is always a smart choice for restaurants that want to keep a conventional and sparkling clean look. Dark denim aprons can lend a touch of cool to a casual bistro or a lounge bar.

It’s important to stress that going with a classic colour like white or black doesn’t mean your restaurant’s uniforms will be boring. With neutral colours, you can personalise your apron selection at any time through different accessories. You may add fascinating pattern straps, embroider them, or use pins or patches with your restaurant’s emblem, for example. In this way, you can refresh your uniforms without having to buy new ones.

And whatever you do, make sure to take into account the rest of your staff’s uniform in order to create a cohesive look. Choose an apron that matches your employees’ current uniforms and enhances the overall appearance you’re striving for. You don’t want to risk seeming sloppy or informal by covering a great restaurant logo shirt with a full-coverage bib apron or pairing a beautiful bistro apron with a simple shirt.