To some, donning an apron in the kitchen may seem old-fashioned. To me, it’s second nature. When I was a little girl, my mom would fold one of her aprons in half and tie it around my waist.

As a passionate home cook but admittedly lazy person, aprons have always felt like an afterthought. Frying tofu? Simmering a red sauce? The best apron subs, it seemed, were just my “whatever ...

Take, for example, the humble and hardworking apron. An apron bears the brunt of kitchen chaos, protecting your skin and clothing from oil splashes, errant flour, and more. An apron with pockets ...