Don’t be fooled by our maekake apron’s stunning design—it’s actually been used as a functional piece of workwear for centuries in Japan. They’re designed and produced exclusively for Milk Street on century-old Toyoda looms in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture—the traditional epicenter of apron production. Made from thick cotton canvas and heavy-duty ribboning traditional to the ornamental garments worn by sumo wrestlers. The aprons are colored with resist-dye techniques, which allows the original white shade of the fabric to come through in the design without bleeding or fading over time. The thick belts are colored with white and red, both considered lucky colors, and are sturdy enough to offer lower back support when tied in a traditional fashion. Not too heavy and not too light, the waist-high apron comes with a roomy pocket, too.

Since the 14th century, pub workers and craftsmen would promote their business with a logo across the apron’s front—so we created a unique design dedicated to Milk Street. The soaring Arctic tern, a white seabird that migrates from pole to pole, represents our pursuit to travel the world for recipes, and the Japanese lettering reads our headquarters’ address, 177 Milk Street.

Dimensions: 26 inches by 18.5 inches; Belt: 102 inches
Materials: 100% Cotton
Place of Origin: Japan

Care: Wash in cold water, separately from whites as the dye may transfer onto other fabrics. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Do not tumble dry. May shrink slightly after wash due to the nature of the fabric.
How to Use: Breathe in deeply, then release your breath lightly. Wrap the belt ends tightly across your back, bringing them around to the front. Tie the belts securely in front below the navel—this positioning is thought to focus and balance energy as well as offer back support. Suitable for waist sizes up to 37 inches.