Whether it's to stop splatters from cooking or keep dust off when cleaning, a kappogi apron will do the job.
They've long had an old-fashioned image, but new products with stylish designs and colors have appeared recently, some even suited for wearing outside the house.
The kappogi is a type of apron with wide sleeves that was invented about 1900 at a Japanese cooking school. When people think of kappogi, they usually envision a white apron worn as part of Japanese attire, but recent models are made from bright patterns in designs that suit modern needs.
A 42-year-old woman who works for a company in Tokyo said she loves wearing a kappogi made of hemp cloth. The garment has a simple design, like a long-sleeved smock. It can be worn back to front and as a coat.
"The sleeves are ribbed, so they're easy to push up when I wash the dishes," she said.
Her kappogi is from the "kapoc" brand made by the apparel material maker T. Masumi & Co. It is designed to be worn as a thin coat and has a pocket for a smartphone. They come in six colors including beige, black and navy blue, and are priced at 19,800 yen including tax.
The company has been manufacturing and selling traditional white kappogi for more than 60 years, but began selling the new models from its website in 2017 as a "modern house working coat." Their customers like the comfort and design, and some buy several in different colors.
People are now used to wearing indoor clothes when just popping out for a bit, such as over to the neighborhood convenience store. Kappogi are also becoming popular as items people can go out in without needing to change clothes.
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, a Nara-based company that sells everyday goods in shops nationwide, offers a short kappogi.
"It covers places that tend to get dirty, and is easy to put on and take off. You can wear it more like a shirt but still get the benefits of a kappogi," a company official said. The plain type costs 7,480 yen and one in a striped pattern is 8,250 yen.
Department stores are also offering a growing line-up of kappogi. The household goods section at Matsuya Ginza in Tokyo has about 40 different types of kappogi in various patterns and materials, including flower and plant patterns, and items made out of fleece and sweatsuit material. Most cost from 5,000 yen to 8,000 yen.
There are a wide variety of heavier kappogi, which may keep you warm when shopping or taking out the trash.
"They're warm and the wide sleeves create a loose silhouette that makes them easy to wear. People also like them because they can be worn like a one-piece dress or as indoor clothes," said Kazuki Sato, a buyer at Matsuya Ginza.
Disaster preparedness
Kappogi could also be useful in the event of a disaster.
"They keep dirt off your clothes, so they could be useful in situations when you can't do laundry or have no extra clothes, like after an earthquake or flood. They'll also keep you warm in winter," said Nobue Kunizaki of the Risk & Crisis Management Educational Institute.
In emergencies, many women feel depressed over having to wear the same clothes day after day, she said. "If you have one of your favorite kappogi, it'll give you an emotional boost," she advised.
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