West Baton Rouge Museum Podcast

Presented by Pam Rabalais-Vinci of the LSU Textile and Costume Museum. Just as Cinderella wore her apron for household chores and, upon its removal, was transformed, so were 20th century American women. At the onset of the new century, work aprons were essential components of women’s protective wear. As the century progressed, the garment became increasingly prominent in female clothing decisions, paralleling popular dress and reflecting much of the American cultural experience. By mid-century, apron wardrobes had become complex, with multiple forms chosen for multiple functions. Hardly utilized by the last decades, aprons and their period of greatest importance had passed. Recorded March 25th, 2015