I had two adult women in my household when I was young - the 1950s. My grandmother was born in the 1870s, and my mother in 1912.
My grandmother nearly always had a full-bib cotton apron on. It was untied at night and hung up for the next day. This was done when we retired to the 'living room' after the evening meal was eaten, dishes done and put away, and table cleared off.
If someone came to the door, the apron was also taken off. It was also known as a 'pinny' (pin-eee) - short for pinafore. I could never understand why these were designed to fasten at the rear, as a child one of my tasks was to tie these for Mum & Nan, when I was old enough.
But I was also known to untie them! Or tie them around the back of a chair.
Needless to say, I would get told off, or smacked over these childish pranks.
Mum usually wore a half-apron, if one at all.
And when I went to other friend's houses, their mothers usually wore aprons also.
I loved the cotton fabrics and patterns/designs, known as 'retro' or 'kitsch' now. Some of the first sewing lessons at school were on making of aprons. Popular ones were with embroidery or gingham with X stitches in the squares. Other aprons were creatively made of handkerchiefs, and sometimes there were very frilly, lacy ones, that were just for show.
There was a special drawer in most kitchens for 'aprons', and it would be full. If there was a party or gathering, the women would often retire to the kitchen after to help clean up, and aprons were handed out. This was the same at church suppers and so forth. An apron was an entirely appropriate gift to give a woman in the 50s.
I have a wonderful photo of an apron I bought from that era, made of handkerchiefs, I'll post the photo when I find it.
