How to Put on and Tie an Apron

An apron is the pride of any chef, like a uniform, and it’s important to get your uniform right! Tying an apron doesn’t have to be a hassle, and there are a few different ways to do so. We’ll show you how to tie the neck loop, plus several simple ways to tie the waist, so you can get yourself prepped and start cooking! Plus, we’ll share expert insights from Private Chef Jeff Woodward and personal stylist Rachel Michael.

Putting On an Apron

Private Chef Jeff Woodward says the best way to tie an apron is the cross-back tie or back-wrap tie method. Here’s how to do it:

Put on the apron and adjust the neck loop to a comfortable height.
Bring the waist ties around your back, crossing them once.
Take the ties back to the front at waist level.
Tie a flat knot or bow slightly off-center from your belly.

Section 1 of 5:

Tying the Neck Loop

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The bib is the top part of the apron that covers your chest. You don’t want it to be so high that it rubs against your neck and becomes uncomfortable. If you put it too low, though, it will not effectively keep your shirt clean. Place the top loop of the apron over your head, so the loop is around your neck. Press the top of the bib below your collarbone and hold it there with one hand.^{[1]
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Meet the wikiHow Experts

Chef Jeff Woodward is a private chef and the owner of The Rogue Chef. He has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

Rachel Michael is a personal stylist and the owner of Rachel Michael Styling. She has over 6 years of styling experience.
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Tie an overhand knot in the back if the apron has a single bib loop. While making sure the bib of the apron is at the right height, tie a knot at the back of the loop, behind your neck, to shorten it so your apron hangs where you want it to hang. An overhand knot works great here:^{[2]
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- Pinch the loop together at the back of your neck so that the loop’s strands meet.
- While pinching it at the base of your neck, take the extra length of the loop and form it into a circle, so that it crosses over itself at the pinched portion.
- Feed the end of the loop under the crossed-over section and through the circle, then pull it just tight enough so that it stays, but not so tight you can’t untie it later.
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Thread the tie through the loop if the apron has a tie ring. Some aprons have metal rings on the neck loop to adjust and secure the bib. For these types of aprons, start by placing the tie around your neck, then threading the loose end of the neck string through the ring. From there, either use a simple knot to tie the apron’s neck string to the rings, or thread the string so that it’s adjustable:^{[3]
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- Thread the loose end of the string forward through both rings.
- Thread the end back and up through the rear ring so that the string is pinched by the rings and fastened in place. Tuck the loose end under the apron loop resting on your shoulders.
- Tug on the end of the neck string to tighten the neck loop.
- Chef Woodward says it's important to adjust the neck of the apron so it sits at a comfortable height.^{[4]
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Cut the neck loop and tie a bow for more customization. This is entirely optional, and only recommended for those who want complete control of their apron’s neck loop. Start by cutting the neck loop in half at the midpoint to create 2 strands. Position your bib, then tie the two strings in a bow behind your neck, just like tying your shoelaces.
- Cross one strand over and under the other.
- Make a loop on one side, then wrap the other side around the base of the loop.
- Feed the middle of the unlooped strand through the wrapped base of the loop you just created, making sure the end of the strand isn’t completely fed through, creating a bow.
- Pull on the midpoints of both loops to tighten the bow.
- Make sure you can get the apron on and off over your head before you cut the strings. You’ll need about 1–1.5 ft (0.30–0.46 m) of extra length in the loop.

Section 2 of 5:

Tying an Apron Behind Your Back

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Take one tie in each hand and bring them together behind you. Make sure your ties are not overly twisted, though a few twists won’t matter.^{[5]
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Tie them together using a knot or a bow. Pull the ties together before you start and cross one over then under the other so that your apron is snug but not too tight. Don’t make it so tight that you can’t breathe or you feel like you’re cutting off circulation. Tie the strings in a shoelace knot to secure the waist:^{[6]
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- After the strings are crossed over and under each other like you did at the start of this step, form the ends of both strings into loops, with one loop in each hand.
- Cross one loop over the other, then bring it under and through the hole you made between the loops when you crossed them.
- Tug on both loops to tighten the bow.
- To release the bow, just tug on the end of one strand.
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Practice tying the knot in front of you, then with your eyes closed. Many people struggle with tying behind their own backs. To practice, take your apron off and lay it on a table in front of you. Practice tying the knot that way. Then, close your eyes, and practice tying them until it becomes easier. Michael recommends a half-bow, if a full bow is too hard:^{[7]
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Rachel Michael
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- Form one loop in one strand, instead of a loop in both. Then, wrap the other strand around the loop and tuck it up and through the portion wrapped around the loop, tugging it tight to secure it.

Section 3 of 5:

Tying an Apron In Front

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Fold the apron up at your waist if it falls past your knees. One advantage of tying your apron in front is being able to shorten it if it’s too long. Put on your neck loop and tie it as you plan to wear it. If you have a half apron, hold it at your waist where you plan to wear it. Look in a mirror and see if your apron hangs below your knees. If it does, grab the sides of the apron at the hips and fold a section up. Hold this in place while you tie the apron in the next steps to keep it short.
- Chef Woodward calls this apron-tying method the cross-back tie or back-wrap tie.^{[8]
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- According to Chef Woodward, the benefits of this apron-tying method are that it takes pressure off your neck, keeps the apron from shifting while you move, prevents loose strings from dipping into food or flames, and is comfortable for long prep or service days.^{[9]
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Cross your apron’s ties behind your back and around to the front. Chef Woodward says to take the waist ties and bring them around your back, crossing them once. Then, bring the ties back to your front at waist level.^{[10]
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Chef Jeff Woodward
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Expert Interview} Pull the ties so that the apron is snug around your waist but not uncomfortable.
- To hide your apron straps, flip your apron up and bring the straps in front of you, under the apron, and tie them under the apron in the next step. This helps keep them out of the way.
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Tie your apron in a knot or a bow in front. Chef Woodward recommends tying a flat knot or bow slightly off-center, so the knot isn’t right on your belly.^{[11]
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Chef Jeff Woodward
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Expert Interview} Simply make a knot like you’re tying a shoelace, but don’t make it too tight, otherwise it might be difficult to untie! Making a large bow this way is great for service workers who need a little flair, or who want to look more professional.
- To tie the knot, first cross the strings over and under each other.
- Form the ends of both strings into loops, with one loop in each hand.
- Cross one loop over the other, then bring it under and through the hole you made between the loops when you crossed them.
- Tug on both loops to tighten the bow.
- To release the bow, just tug on the end of one strand.

Section 4 of 5:

Tying a Half Apron

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Fold the hem and position the top of the apron high on your belly. A half-apron is one that only covers the waist and legs area, and is missing a bib. They’re common in professional kitchens, and great for cooks looking for a little more mobility. To start, fold down the top hem of the apron by 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm). Then, lay the apron across your belly so that it crosses just under your belly button.^{[12]
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- If the apron goes past your knees, fold it a little more so that the bottom hem sits above your knees, giving you more mobility.
- Convert a full apron into a half apron by folding it in half, so that the bottom portion covers the top portion.
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Cross the ties behind you, then tie them in front. Half-aprons are usually tied in the front for maximum security and ease of use. First, cross the apron strings behind your back, then bring them in front of you. After that, tie them at your belly just like tying your shoelaces:^{[13]
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- Cross the strings over and under each other.
- Bend the ends of both strings into loops, holding one loop in each hand.
- Cross one loop over the other, then bring it under and through the hole made between the loops when you crossed them. Tug on both loops to tighten the bow.
- To release the bow, tug on the end of one strand.

Section 5 of 5:

Wearing a Cross-Strap Apron

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Drape the apron on your chest, with the ties falling behind your shoulders. A cross-strap apron features long ties that cross over each other behind your back and are secured at the waist of the apron. They’re great for cooks or hobbyists who need something heavy, more durable, and more secure. To start, bring the bib of the apron to your collarbone, then drape the shoulder ties over your shoulder so that they fall behind you.^{[14]
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- You may need to attach the ties to the apron first using the apron’s metal clasps.
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Cross the ties behind your back and loop them through the waist. Now, use a hand to reach for the tie that dangle from the opposite shoulder, bringing it across your back. Do the same for the other tie so that they form an X in the center of your back. Feed each tie through the loops at the apron’s side, near your waist, while still holding on to them so that they don’t come undone.
- If it’s easier, take off the apron and do this while it’s laid flat on a table. This way, you get the strings where they need to be before you put it on.^{[15]
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- Pull on the ties until the bib sits at about the height of your collarbone.
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Tie the strings behind your back or in front of you. Tug on the strings until the apron is snug around your waist but not uncomfortable. Then, tie the strings behind your back just like you’d tie a shoelace. Or, cross them over each other again, bring them to the front, and tie them at your belly. This is helpful if they’re especially long.
- Cross the strings over and under each other.
- Fold the ends of both strings into loops, holding one loop in each hand.
- Cross one loop over the other, then bring it down, under, and through the hole made between the loops when you crossed them. Tug on the loops to tighten the bow.
- Release the knot by pulling on one of the ends of the strands.

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Tips

If you need to tie an apron behind you urgently and you can’t do it, turn the apron around. Tie it in front, then twist it on your body so the knot is behind you. If your apron has a neck loop, remove this before you turn the apron.

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If you are wearing your apron for a job, you may need to re-tie it in the middle of a shift, so practice tying it a few times at home so you won’t struggle with it at work.

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