What it is: a 100% cotton apron in a 260 gsm combed twill, made in two back styles — the Japanese H back and the cross back — with six or two front pockets and a side loop for a dish towel.

Which back should you pick?

The H back is two straight straps joined across the middle. Both stay square on your shoulders instead of sliding off, which matters when your hands are full. It carries six pockets across the front. Measures approximately 26.0 in. across by 29.5 in. long.

The cross back has straps that cross behind you and tie at the front or the back, whichever you find quicker one handed. Two roomy pockets. Measures approximately 26.0 in. across by 31.9 in. long — same width, a little longer in the body.

Both have one plastic buckle on each shoulder strap to set the drop. The plain colorways come in the H back; the plaids and prints come in the cross back. The mixed 2-packs hold one of each.

The cloth

260 gsm combed cotton twill, 100% cotton. Combing pulls the short fibers out before spinning, which gives the surface a smoother finish, and the twill weave gives it enough weight to hang properly rather than cling.

Fit

Cut trim in the Japanese style rather than loose. It looks neat rather than boxy, but it runs small on broader or taller frames — check the measurements above before ordering.

Care

Machine wash cold with like colors. Hang dry — cotton this heavy shrinks in a hot dryer. Wash darks and lights separately.

You might also like

• The same cross-back cut in linen: The 'Artisan' Split-Front Apron.

• The same job in washed cotton denim: The 'Drifter' Washed Denim Cross-Back Apron.