What do you wear while you cook?

[cheesecake17]

I usually get home from work/school, preheat the oven, and change into yoga pants and a tshirt before cooking. I'm just not comfy cooking in what I wore that day. Friends of mine cook in their pajamas, jeans & heels, and sweaty workout clothing.

What about everyone else?

[mamachef]

At home, I cook in sweats or yoga pants, and an old t-shirt. Usually knittiebooties, or flip-flops. Definitely not OSHA-approved garb. At the frat, it's all about jeans and an Oxford shirt with short sleeves; hair tied up in an Indian-print scarf or a skullcap. At REAL work long ago, always the fullcode Uni: checks, jackets, and clogs, topped off by my very tasteful dangly skeleton earrings.

[Barbara76137]

Shoes or boots are never worn in the house. Socks are optional. I work in a saddle shop so I wear jeans and shirt every day, so that is fine for cooking. If I've been riding horses or running, I shower and change clothes before entering the kitchen.

When it is summer and really hot I'll change into shorts & t shirt after I get home from work. I would have run early in the morning and trying to cram in running, work, and then riding my horses all in one day just doesn't work.

[onceadaylily]

When I'm cooking, I can't stand sleeves, or anything with a collar, and have had my fill of aprons. I have a long black cotton skirt that I hitch up so that it (magically) becomes dress that stops just above the knees. I change into it when I come home. I also have the same 'dress' in gray that gets rotated with the black, and have a back-up of the black one tucked away in my closet. It is just a very comfortable thing to wear (my version of a cafatan), even if I did get a simmering chili con carne spattered on my shoulder today.

I was taking out the trash yesterday, and my downstairs neighbor admired my dress. She said it was elegant, and looked expensive. I tried to hide the smear of avocado on my hip as we chatted.

[blacvulture]

The first thing I do when I get home from school (I am in welding school) is shower. If the brother in law is not home, I walk around naked. I do not wear anything to cook in as well.

[BamiaWruz]

I wear whatever I'm wearing at the time, so long as it's not a fancy outfit that I could ruin. I've never spilt/splashed things on me so apron is not required though it would be fun to get one some day just for the heck of it.

[Paulustrious]

We live in different worlds. The first volcanic gloop of tomato sauce lava, the rocket blast of meat hitting the smoking wok; these and many other things decorate my cooking clothes.

[NicoleFriedman]

In all honesty, sometimes underwear, sometimes pjs, sometimes nothing!

[BobB]

A beguiling image indeed, but I trust you don't do a lot of hot fat frying in the latter state!

[jmckee]

There's a quote somewhere I read recently about a woman who cooked in the nude, except when french frying potatoes, when she wore a bra so as to avoid crisping her most salient features.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Pajama

[Paulustrious]

My avatar will give you a hint. If I am having friends as guests I have a red apron which was bought by one such friend. It says...

Don't f__k with the cook.

I once wore some "Do Not Cross" tape.

[bushwickgirl]

Just the tape? Seems, um, risky.

[buttertart]

Or risqué. I'm of the clothes-free camp as often as possible myself!

[Paulustrious]

When suitably attired I am very risible.

[buttertart]

Oh you card.

[haggisdragon]

A codpiece and eye patch and a purple cape.

[buttertart]

How dashing.

[bushwickgirl]

Ha, a scimitar in hand would complete that outfit, methinks.

[buttertart]

Arr, matey.

[opehlia payne]

Jeans or flannel pajama pants. Bare feet in warmer weather, socks when it's too cool to be comfortable barefoot (I never wear shoes in the house and while I own a pair of slippers I have never thought to put them on...). Bra and apron. Otherwise topless. We have two cats, it's impossible to get all of the cat hair out of my clothes and I would hate to wind up with cat hair in the food...

Just re-read funniduck's post and have to say that wearing the apron backwards is brilliant. I, too, tend to wipe my hands on the backs of my legs. I am totally putting the apron on backwards when I make dinner tonight!

[tim4510]

Jeans, T-Shirt, Apron, Tennis Shoes. (Leather tennis shoes...they provide some protection from dropping items, and keep your feet dry.)

[funniduck]

Super thick gripper socks or flip flops, jeans and either a t-shirt or tank top. I wear an apron, BUT backwards. I have a tendency to wipe my hands on the back of my legs so I figured that's where the apron should go.

[bushwickgirl]

I was living with a Scottish guy, who was an artist, and we were moving from CT to Brooklyn NY. At a going-away party, I spilled the beans (after a bit too much wine) that he painted in the nude. He was from the Jackson Pollack throwing-paint school, less mess on the clothes. Anyway, the other party-goers were delighted by this tidbit and someone gave him a "Cooking in the Nude" cookbook (more for me, actually, as he never cooked) for a going-away present. I do not, and never will, cook in the nude. I never used the book, either.
I tend to cook barefoot though, but it's been an issue on occasion, with burned toes and such.

[TexasSage]

An apron, of course!

[Beckyleach]

I'm a SAHM, gardener, and all-around messy person, so MOST of my clothes are just fine in the kitchen (since most of my clothes are ratty tee-shirts and jeans). I just don't ever cook (or eat, if I can help it!) in my few good things. I'm a spiller, too.

[jmckee]

Something I've already besmirched with olive oil stains.

[szeglin]

I'll usually just put on an apron over whatever I'm already wearing. If I'm wearing something I'm particularly fond of, or if the food promises to be extra-spattery, I'll change into old jeans and a t-shirt.

[eviemichael]

I get into my pyjamas the second I get in the house, but I wear pretty aprons. My friends have gotten me so many 50's housewife, cutesy aprons in an effort to mock my love for the kitchen and domesticity. :) So even though the clothes are frumpy, the aprons are quite elegant!

[greedygirl]

I wear whatever I happen to be wearing at the time - usually a dress of some description, and often a cardigan as I live in a draughty Victorian house. I'm not really a jeans person - I like a bit of glamour in my life! I do normally wear shoes, or some sparkly bright pink Moroccan slippers. My hair is often tied back, but not always. If I'm doing something messy, and I remember, I might wear an apron. I have three.

[Jetgirly]

When I lived in an anonymous downtown highrise I would make breakfast naked every morning. Now I live directly across the street from my workplace; on the second floor of a three-story building. Naked cooking, not so much. Now I wear a tank top, old gym shorts and five-inch heels (just for fun). I actually find that as I'm only about 5'3", wearing heels puts me at a better (more comfortable) height to deal with stuff on kitchen counters.

[jfood]

jfood cooks in from bottom to top;

1 - he has a pair of olive green rubber clogs. They are awesome for lower back and knee issues and if you sopill something on them, no biggie
2 - khaki shorts or jeans
3 - a T-shirt. jfood buys them 6 at a timje from Bob's Store for $5. He exercises in them, gardens, cooks, slops around
4 - His favorite dog apron that little jfood gave him.

[LNG212]

This is a fun thread. Thanks to whoever resurrected it.

I have a thing for aprons. DH likes to get me cool ones. My most prized possession is a vendor apron that DH bought from a vendor at the Houston Astrodome at the end of one of the final games there. He begged and pleaded and paid way too much. But then, those aren't sold in the store! It's a heavy black cotton apron with 3 pockets and an embroidered ASTRODOME with logo on it. Very cool.

Could never cook barefoot or naked. I drop things, I splatter things. It would get very very ugly very very quickly!! :)

[kubasd]

it's actually kinda funny. Usually the first thing I do when i get home from work is take my socks and shoes off. Yet yesterday, I returned from work with an insane amount of prep work (pre-marinade), so i even had my fancy work clothes on.... plus shoes and socks!!! I realized it during the marination time and luckily my dish turned out amazing, lol.

[Beach Chick]

short shorts, ugg boots and a high quality sweatshirt, turned inside out.

[Kagey]

Off with the work clothes, then I have a rotating set of jeans and long-sleeved t-shirts that are just for hanging around the house and cooking. They get washed when they're dirty enough. A black wool zip cardigan that I'd never wear out of the house gets the brunt of the stains. I wash it rarely. If it gets hot, which it rarely does in England, maybe shorts and a tank top.

To me an apron is just an extra thing to wash, so I don't use one.

I have to wear something on my feet because most of the time I wear socks. And I can't stand when the socks get even the tiniest bit wet, which they always do when you're cooking and using the sink. I had a great pair of Ugg slippers with rubber soles. Great because you could wipe down the bottoms if they got too dirty. In summer I wear flip-flops.

[kubasd]

ugh, wet socks really are the worst! That's why i go barefoot ;-) I must wear comfy pants, t-shirt or tank top, and bare feet. The first thing i do when i get home from work is take off my shoes and socks.... If I had a cute apron I'd probably wear that, but i don't, so i don't.

[Kagey]

I'd like to have bare feet but it's too darn cold here in England!

[jcattles]

Depends, sweats or jeans usually, and a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Hair pulled up. When I get off work and have to go back out later for a function, I wear my work clothes with an apron. Usually barefoot or socks. Although when I plan on standing a long time cooking, I'll throw on my beloved Danskos.

[Sal Vanilla]

I am a comfy cook. Old long sleeve sweatshirt or cotton knit top (grease likes to slatter on my arms) and yoga or velour pants. No zippers or binding.

What I do NOT ever cook in is my peasant blouse with the wide at the bottom sleeves. I always seem to want to cook in that until I nearly catch fire!

I also wear the most hideous cheap white restaurant apron. that sometimes does not come off until after dinner (which really annoys my husband).

Always - hair back in a pony and all stray hairs picked off my clothes. I have long hair and I cannot blame it on others if someone finds one in the sauce. or in the bread (it happens OK - I wash!).

[CPla]

Good point about the blouse.

My late mother once managed to set her blouse on fire while cooking. Apparently there were a couple of 'strings' that were supposed to be tied in a bow or something and she just did a rough tie leaving too much dangling.

Front burner on the gas stove, material that burned quickly and before you know it she was having to beat out the flames on her blouse. Fortunately she only had slight burns, but it was a real shock for her.

I don't tuck my T-shirt in and sometimes have to be a little wary when I have front and back burners going and lean over to attend to food on the back.

[BeaN]

Well I'm obviously not seeing things right! When I saw this thread I thought it said "What do you Swear while you cook" and I thought to myself, "I can't record that here!"

This was a fun read.

[cheesecake17]

speaking of swearing, we're all lucky the window wasn't open a few minutes ago when I burned my hand on the oven rack. I don't think the neighbors would have liked to hear what I yelled out.

[CPla]

A pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Its hot here and I have trouble staying cool at the best of times.

[RGC1982]

I might change out of a suit or silk blouse because grease spatters can ruin good work clothes, but to me the most important items are: 1) Comfy shoes or sneakers with good support. Barefoot seems cool, but I have seen people who have been unfortunate enough to drop hot oil, knives and other nasty things on their feet. Sorry, no bare feet for me. Sneakers or clogs protect your feet; flip flops and bare feet offer no support and no protection; 2) Roll up sleeves. Long sleeves are a safety issue, if not a nuisance; 3) full tie up apron with bib. I have about six, and wash and wear them constantly. This is your best protection against stains; 4) Hair tied back. This is not time for glamour. Even if I have guests who are watching me cook, I wear my best apron and tie my hair back.

[Candy]

At the moment jeans ( I know when It is time to wash the jeans, my dogs start licking them) a cashmere sweater, shirt under it, an apron and suede clogs.

I was astounded when I gave my M-I-L an apron from Fortnum & Mason and she told me she never wears one. I asked how she kept her clothes clean. She had no answer. You bet I wear one, right now I am frying chicken wings for hot wings tonight. Chicken spatters and I certainly am not getting undressed to court spatter burns in uncomfortable places.

[kiiess]

i have a chef jacket that my mother did it for me

[onocoffee]

While I certainly can appreciate the desire to be comfortable at home and while cooking, I think that those of you who choose to go barefoot are asking for serious injury.

Beyond the obvious falling knives, what happens if you bump that saute pan, pot of boiling water or hot oil? If that should fall on your bare feet, you're screwed.

And for the guy who's wearing a bathrobe, I certainly hope you're not working around open flame burners. Lose your attention for a moment and it's too easy for terry cloth to ignite.

Loose, comfortable clothing is nice but one of things I like about the pro chef wear is that it's typically loose enough that should you spill hot oil onto it, it's baggy enough that it might hang away from your skin long enough to rip it off and prevent worse burns.

Remember that just a moment of diversion could result in a lifetime of pain. Plan accordingly.

[BostonZest]

I've also had many fewer "oven rack burns" on my arms since using a chef jacket. And, since I'm a city dweller and my feet are my primary means of transportation, I'm very careful about protecting them. It's clogs for me in the kitchen.

[RShea78]

You should see our local butcher shops. They look like bunch of sanitary white coated construction workers. Safety regulations also require steel toed footwear.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is something that should really be worn at home as the job dictates. (e.g., footwear, gloves, eye protection, etc.)

[corneygirl]

I usually wear my standard uniform, jeans & T shirt. I have a beer company bowling shirt that is great for messy, floury times.

[stanbee]

underwear, t-shirt, socks and always an apron

[tjr]

A tuxedo!

[foodwich]

I wear long caftans at home. change out of work clothes as soon as i come home then cook wearing my caftan. but they have to be short sleeves. i had an old one with those long flowing sleeves and they caught on fire and i was alone and panicking. since then only short sleeves, i have aprons but like numerous other posters dont use them. when i buy them, remember at first i must wear an apron then after a while they become part of the kitchen decor.

[LadyCook61]

Barefoot, and comfy clothing which is usually a very loose housedress or muu muu. I

[CindyJ]

I always opt for comfort when I cook -- sweat pants and a t-shirt are just fine. But barefoot...? Never! The way I cook, I'd be stepping into all kinds of gunk. Sneakers or slippers work for me. And sometimes I wear an apron -- it depends on what I'm cooking.

[undercg]

weekday, start in work clothes then change to either jeans or pajama bottoms while still in work shirt if short sleeved and an apron. If weekend, jeans & tee and apron. ALL my aprons are in the holey, stained, unraveling category withthe exception of the new one with my breed of dog on it. That is is good wear! Feet are usually encased in either trainers, crocs, or slippers. if cooking at a club I belong to, always jeans and short sleeves as I usually end up armpit deep in doing dishes. I do have a chef jacket with the club burgee and my name embroidered on it but it is worn only when ready to serve and for pictures. It is white and I don't want to stain it.

[haolebaby]

A smile. hahaha

[cimui]

;)

[lisavf]

No one has mentioned this, so I'll add my response. In addition to comfy clothes, I always wear shoes, but not for reasons already stated. It's because of my height. I'm barely 5' 2" so wearing shoes with heels helps me reach the counter better. Now, I'm not talking about dressy shoes. Right now my favorite shoes for cooking are a pair of Bjorn clogs. They add about 3" to my height, which is just about right. When I get out the big stock pot, however, that's still not enough - I have to bring out the stepstool!

[BobB]

Good point. My wife is 4'11" so she prefers to do prep work at the kitchen table, the counter is just too high.

[cheesecake17]

I'm 4'11" too, and I also do my prep work at the kitchen table or with a small stepstool. I can manage if I need to on the counter, but I don't go near a knife in my mother in law's kitchen. Her counters were custom built for her height- and she's a good 6" taller than me!

[LadyCook61]

I'm 5' 1 " and I have trouble too, with prep work on a high counter. I have a electric meat grinder and when I use it , I use a low table so I can reach and see as I put the meat in the grinder.

[RShea78]

Difference between my Sister 5-7 and me 5-6, is she is a kitchen table (sit) prep person, and I ran out and actually got a Duke SS 36" high NSF listed prep table. My sister drooled over my table, but she said they are made to tall. I told sis, "they are shipped KD thus the legs can (unofficially) be cut down to length. We cut hers down (-6") to 30" so she is now a happy prep queen.

[meatn3]

Yes, I have to stand on a step stool when using the grinder attachment on my Kitchen Aid!

My dream - a kitchen designed for my height!!!

[Jase]

Sara moulton said she's so short that when she had her kitchen designed, the counters were three inches lower than normal. I wonder if they did the same at her set.. I don't recall her having problems when her show was on..

[cheesecake17]

I remember she was on a guest on a daytime talk show and they had boxes at each section for her to stand on. So whenever she would demonstrate, she would step on the box. it was really funny.

[lcool]

I have 3 very dear to me < 5' tall.We did "custom" height surfaces in all three kitchens.
Easier and way less expensive than may be thought.Only looking at products etc on legs was the way to go,rather than a lot of "custom" fit.This way when it is time to sell
etc,raise/lengthen the legs without huge hassle,expense and inconvenience.Starting
with the range/oven WOLFE,VIKING,MONARCH,VULCAN all are on legs.Instead of
7-9" they are 3 or 4".You aren't limited to cook surfaces and wall ovens.Counters,work
islands with legs have since become fashionable and frigos with the freezer a lower drawer mundane at a non premium price.All three have very real issues in my kitchen
to include "cook ware".At 5'10" I don't think twice about 14" cast iron,copper or other large heavy pans.Or a gallon of milk in the days before handles.All three have hands that are a nice fit in my PALM.This has not been such an easy hurdle over the years.
An architect friend with some cabinet folks did some very original things with pulls and slides,also now common place.
Hope you get your kitchen,your back will love you when it happens.

[LadyCook61]

Ditto about dream kitchen !

[nkeane]

ditto, except Im 6'3".........watching me do prep, you can squint and easily invision a question mark!

[soypower]

Me too. A lot of people think I'm being 50's house-wifey, but because I've worn heels for so long (being 5' 2"), my feet just don't feel right without heels. It's the arch support...I also find skirts to be a lot more comfortable than any jeans or pants, so sometimes I do look as if I'm trying too hard to be stylish when I cook, but honestly, it's as comfortable as it gets for me besides pajamas in bed!

[BobB]

My wife is 4'11", but is not crazy about heels so she often does prep work at the kitchen table, which is considerably lower than the counters.

[mordacity]

A t-shirt and fleece yoga pants if it's winter, or terrycloth shorts in the summer. Changing out of my work clothes is the very first thing I do when I get home.

[goodhealthgourmet]

my family has been teasing me about this for pretty much my entire life...shoes come off in the doorway, i make a beeline for my bedroom to change into comfies & put away my work clothes, then straight to the bathroom to take off any makeup/wash my face. takes me all of three minutes, and then i'm ready to head into the kitchen - barefoot, of course - to get started on dinner prep.

i'm noticing that many of us make seasonal adjustments to our cooking garb. interesting, because we're not usually doing it outdoors where we're exposed to the elements [grilling/BBQing notwithstanding].

i can't wrap my brain around the idea of cooking in a sweatshirt...i get too warm at the mere *thought* of wearing something heavy with the stove or oven turned on.

[mordacity]

No, but we do make seasonal adjustments to the thermostat. My apartment is a good 10 degrees cooler in the winter than in the summer, to keep those heat and A/C bills down.

[Janet from Richmond]

Strip the work clothes and put on either yoga pants, sweat pants or pj bottom pants and a t-shirt and socks in the winter.

[jnk]

Usually dungarees (i've just dated myself), and whatever dress shirt i've worn to work that day. I feel that I must explain to the cleaner, what stain it is they're going to try to get out.

[cassoulady]

I just remembered in the movie "Sabrina" Audrey Hepburn is making a snack for Humphry Bogart at his office and she ties a dish cloth around her waist as an apron. I always loved that and as a little girl thought I would do the same when I was an adult and look so chic. ha!

[BeefeaterRocks]

I used to do that back in the days when we had those big flour sack dish towels. Somehow the splatters alway ended up on the chest area. I'm retired so old jeans and holey t shirts are my uniform. I'm very sloppy, I should have bought stock in whoever makes Shout. I used to cook barefooted until I ended up with a very ugly broken toe from a dropped frozen ham although I'm not sure a shoe would of helped.

[shaebones]

Yoga pants and a T shirt. PLEASE don't cook barefoot. I severed the tendon in my big toe when my chefs knife dropped off the counter on to my bare foot. Required an operation and 6 weeks in a boot in the middle of the summer. Not fun.

[cassoulady]

Shaebones, how awful that sounds! I hope it is better now. You have a great point about shoes!

[c oliver]

Ditto. I've had some near misses where I've leapt back just in time. Guess it's time to wear shoes all the time in the kitchen although I'm such a barefoot kinda gal.

[Querencia]

And I once took a pumpkin pie out of the oven and dropped it on my feet. I keep remembering that when I read about people cooking barefoot and naked.

[Scargod]

Every time I cook barefooted or have my dog at my feet I think about the mistake I made. I was boiling water at a campsite and while moving it I sloshed almost boiling water on my feet. I was wearing canvas sneakers, but no socks. The sneakers held in the water long enough for me to get huge blisters on the bottom of my feet!
As the owner of a business where anything could land on your feet I outlawed sneakers and sandals.
Think about it; keep your pet from underfoot. I've dropped knives or had them fall off the counter as I shifted things around. The kitchen is a dangerous place and those that don't take it seriously will pay, or someone else will.

[Bite Me]

The second I get home, I have to get out of my clothes from the day! I throw on sweat pants, T-shirt, and crocs. If it's hot summer, then shorts. Take off my rings. Ready to start.

[meatn3]

I'm afraid to do much more than boil water while in street clothes! I'm a magnet for spills, splatters and bazaar accidents.

I change immediately into something loose and comfy, the exact ensemble varies with the temperature of the house and season. Use to always be barefoot, but now find my feet appreciate the support of Clark's clogs or similar make sandals in the summer.

If there are guests, I try to plan a meal with very little last minute activity. I will use an apron once I have changed into a more public outfit.

[Jase]

i use an apron half the time. If I'm doing an extended bout of cooking or something that takes extra effort, I almost revel in the ritual of taking out my heavy duty long apron. Something about the act of putting it on, tying the strings and tucking a dish towel on them puts me in a great frame of mind. It's like part of the mise en place. I'm prepping for that moment when I'm in the zone grooving to the music, chopping, stirring, etc moving around the kitchen.

I love that mental zone. Cooking with just shorts and a t shirt, I'm usually just doing basic mundane cooking or cleaning and it's a completely different mental state.

[chelleyd01]

I cant get out of my work clothes fast enough. The season and what Im cooking that night dictates what I put on.

Spring/Summer=old sky blue capri pants with many a Clorox Clean-Up blotches on them and any old tshirt.

Fall/Winter=sweats with said clorox dots or a pair of flannel pajama pants from Old Navy that have more than seen their day.

Frying in any form and any season gets a 10 year old Eddie Bauer tshirt with holes, neck ripped out ala Flash Dance and teeney holes that get bigger with each wash.

Adidas slides (barefoot in summer, whatever socks in winter) are a must as I am a victim of too much time in barefeet on the kitchen floor equals fat ankles later that night and a ponytail with a headband is non-negotiable.

[jfood]

If jfood knew what Yoga pants were he would comment, but what are they?

jfood cooks in jeans, a T-Shirt and when his favorite cooking clogs. He has a bad knee and even with hardwood floors, standing for hours does havoc on his knee, so he bought a pair of olive green with very thich rubber soles.

He also has several aprons and his favorites has numerous dogs all dressed in cooking garb (no surprise huh?)

[im_nomad]

sounds good. my favorite apron is one given to me by a friend that was made out of dish cloths.

yoga pants are :
http://www.lululemon.com/products/wom...

[harrie]

Yoga pants = stretchy material, non-binding, elastic waist. Kind of like sweats, but even comfier.

I wear an ancient Champion sweatshirt with ripped/non-existent cuffs, big rips under the armpits, and stains all over. Commonly referred to as "my lucky grubby sweatshirt" when searching for it in the laundry. Worn with jeans, sweats, yoga pants or shorts depending on time of year.

[cheesecake17]

yoga pants are stretchy, made out out legging material, and have a fitted thigh with a flared leg. the whole pant is made out of a stretchy material... so in my opinion god's gift to the world :)

can be compared to those men's "lounge pants"- super comfortable and something you want to wear every single day, even if they smell like frying onions and have a chocolate smear down the leg

[im_nomad]

at end of work days, i cook in whatever I came home in, post commute, i'm ready to get started. Depends on how messy I plan to get though. As it cooks, THEN i change into the comfy's.

however, when I cook to sell (cakes), it's a whole different ball game. And i'm sure I look EVER so attractive. Comfortable yes, and cool, and changed into just before the cooking starts, to avoid any dog contact (she gets banished from the cleaned kitchen). The hair goes up into a pony tail, and bangs and such are up and away from my face in a spa-type terry headband thing that holds hair in place and minimizes the chance of strays ending up anywhere near the food.

For a while, during intense selling times, i wore croc-like clogs, but i hated myself every time i looked at my feet, lol. I'm a total shoe gal, and as much as those somewhat helped me when i was on my feet, they just made me feel sad :(

Sometimes I wear an apron, sometimes not. I do have a habit of tucking a dish towel in somewhere though.

I am also typically listening to music and dancing around the kitchen. How ever can I be resisted?! lol.

[goodhealthgourmet]

"I am also typically listening to music and dancing around the kitchen."
~~~~~~~
me too! one of the many reasons i'm happy i live alone :)

[MrsT]

I'm usually in junky old sweat pants and a ratty t-shirt. After I get through cooking, it looks like a hurricane blew through. My husband is always wondering why I'm cleaning the kitchen.

[cimui]

right now, a 10+ year old smokey the bear t-shirt -- my favorite! -- the skirt i wore to work, today, and an apron (because i can't bear the thought of getting sauce stains on smokey. he's my bear). no shoes or socks.

[adamshoe]

I drop and spill way to much stuff to even consider cooking in bare feet. Plus, my kitchen floor is often,(trying to come up with better word than filthy....) er, less than clean. Plus, my floor here in Sunny Oakland CA is really cold. Jeans or sweats and a comfy shirt are my usual wardrobe; never use an apron-probably should. What temp. do all you barefoot contessas (and Counts) keep in your homes to avoid frozen tootsies? Adam

[WTBD]

I agree with you. There is always some splashed water or an errant grain of rice that makes walking barefoot unpleasant, let alone the dangers of falling knives. I know I should be better about mopping, but... Like you I have the cold floor problem, so that's my official excuse for wearing slippers or shoes (but not just socks - they inevitably find the puddle and soak it up leaving wet feet. Ew.)

I wear an apron when I remember, often halfway through a project when the curry has just splattered on my shirt.

[RShea78]

""I drop and spill way to much stuff to even consider cooking in bare feet. Plus, my kitchen floor is often,(trying to come up with better word than filthy....) er, less than clean.""

I seem to "neglect" my kitchen floor because it is carpeted with a cheap short pile type, that really needs to be vacuumed, instead of a quick broom sweep. I gotta have socks on no matter what, even though I have been known to scream bloody murder, over my toes contacting the sock seam. I once stepped on a grain of kosher salt and screamed so loud my that next door neighbor called the Ambulance. She was thinking I had to have passed out or even dead, but I didn't enough energy left to speak, let alone answer her.

[melly]

I wear an apron over everything..but I usually wear t shirt and sweats. I am tired of ruining all of my t shirts so an apron it is!

[cassoulady]

I have two dogs, so I am often in my dog walking clothes when I cook (sweats and a t and sneakers). When I entertain, I do as much prep as I can in my "cozy" clothes, load up the dishwasher and tidy up then change about an hour or so before guests arrive, then make my pre guest cocktail. I have no wore an apron since home ec, but I wish i always mean to buy one.

[duck833]

Cook Naked!!!!

(just don't fry bacon while doing it)

[linengirl]

I am a spiller and a dropper. So... PJs (bought two sizes too big, of course), sleeves rolled up, a long apron (the kind with strings you can wrap around your waist and tie in the front - so good for tucking a dish towel into) and a pair of painfully ugly crocs with fluffy insides. Like nkeane, I'm all for keeping my feet and toes whole and unbloodied, so the footwear is key.

[c oliver]

My fashionista daughter says Crocs are only appropriate in the garden but she might allow the kitchen also :)

[buttertart]

i'm with you 100%. My kitchen is usually very hot. of course I freshen up before guests arrive!

[RShea78]

LOL!!! My sister once said she's gotta take a shower after slaving several hours in the kitchen over our 4th of July party. I kind brushed that off because of the timing, till she said, "I sure to hell don't want to smell odd enough like some ingredient that isn't part of the menu".

[hyde]

on a blistering hot night in bostons south end, i once cooked a full pound of liguine aglio y olio, for myself (while up late watching movies), entirely naked. does this count?

[Seldomsated]

Boy, doesn't anyone else wear a bathrobe? I have a nice long cushy one that has sleeves I can roll and push up to get out of the way. Bare feet are a must. Always shower first and then change into the robe, to be cozy and comfy at home.

[PurpleTeeth]

My husbands shirts w/ barefeet in summer. In winter thick wool knee socks and my Clark's clogs. Like little clouds for my feel

[BobB]

I work from a home office so I'm pretty much always dressed casually and just cook in whatever I have on. If we're expecting guests and I've dressed a bit nicer but still need to do some last-minute kitchen work (which I usually do) I'll roll up my sleeves and throw on an apron. I have a nice chef's-style white one with extra-long ties.

[nkeane]

I literally come home and take off my work clothes(which are dirtier then my non work clothes......) and put on the same pair of sweats, one of a rotating handfull of Tshirts(probably have a couple hundred.....I get free Tshirts from work and sports leagues CONSTANTLY) Turn the heat to about 85(in the summer its the AC to 70) because I have been outside all day. Then its to the pantry and fridge to stare into them for a little while and get inspiration.
As far as actual cooking wear goes, the only thing I specificly wear is a pair of closed toe sandals......funny how one unfortunate knife mishap can change your mind about barefoot cooking!!

[JungMann]

I usually wear a t-shirt while cooking with whatever bottom I was wearing before, whether that be khakis, suit pants or breakfast in pajamas. It was my habit to leave my top on (sans jacket) while cooking, but far too many shirts now sport stains, too many garlicky sweaters have been dry cleaned for this to be economical.

[LJS]

Jeans (so I can wipe my hands on them in a guilt-free manner), short-sleeved T ( so sleeves aren't in the way) and comfy slippers that I can throw in the wash for when I spill on them--somehow my feet become sauce-magnets in the kitchen. Most of the time a dish-towel, slung jauntily over my shoulder, for those hand wipes that really would do in a pair of jeans.

My husband, Mom and, now, daughter have all bought, lovely, professional aprons for me over the years, but I only put them on over my 'uniform' when guests arrrive and I haven't had time to change.

Interesting how few of the cooks here have listed an apron as useful or necessary. I just NEVER remember in time...

[jarona]

LJS
I have aprons, but don't wear them because they are too nice to mess up. Does that make sense? Go figure!

[LJS]

Yes, Jaron, I totally get that...they seem confining to me somehow, but they are also too pretty to spill tandoori sauce on!

[c oliver]

I have a couple of aprons that had never been worn. Then a T-day guest volunteered to make the gravy and asked for an apron. I was thrilled to give her one :)

[krisrishere]

I usually start dinner in my nice work clothes, then proceed to spill something on myself at which point I have to change. Thank goodness for Goop. After that, it's usually my holey sweats, socks and my favorite old t-shirt. I have requested an apron for Christmas, but my husband refuses to buy me anything cooking related because "he feels bad" and he wants to buy me something "for me". But that's a whole other ball of wax...

[jarona]

I just realized something. We all come home from work and put on our yoga pants, or sweats--totally comfy. What a sign of the times. When I was a kid, my mom would wear a "housedress" or one of those bizarre "mumu" dresses. But it was always a dress--just a funny thought!

[Miss Needle]

Those "mumu" things are really comfy as it lets our "stuff" breathe. I prefer that over yoga pants, sweats or leggings. That's why I just wear my old kung-fu shirts -- functions like a mumu.

[bnemes3343]

If you want to see how things have changed, just turn on a rerun of Leave it to Beaver on TV Land. Dad sits around the house prior to dinner in a suit and tie, jacket on and buttoned. Not sure I remember my dad going quite that far, but yes the times have changed. Can't remember the last time I saw anyone 'gussied' up for a Broadway show. And I've been to only one rest. in many, many years that required a tie (not that I mind not wearing one).

[JungMann]

In college I was aghast at my first trip to Carnegie Hall when I met my friend outside the theatre. I was wearing a jacket; he was wearing army fatigues. But then again, I also used to wear a smoking jacket whenever I'd light up in my poorly ventilated room, and was given to cooking in a blazer when I had company.

[lulubelle]

I wear a dress a lot of the time when I cook. It's hot where I live, and once the stove or oven gets going I think it's too hot to be in pants. I have a cotton sundress that is my go-to outfit for extended cooking sessions.

In the evening I usually put on PJ bottoms and a tank top, and I always wear an apron. I got one when I went to cooking school in Bangkok and it brings back happy memories, keeps me clean, and has pockets to store my cell phone, the timer, and whatever else I might need.

[Miss Needle]

Actually, the first thing I do when I get home is to change into my "home clothes." I cook wearing my old kung-fu T-shirts (the ones with holes in them). I'm such a mess when I cook that I refuse to wear clothes that I wear outside. And I'm always barefoot at home, even in winter.

And, yes, if there are other people around (aside from DH), I do try to look more "presentable."

[bulavinaka]

I'm there with you on the old t-shirts but I gotta where some short pants - don't want my moneymaker hangin' out. :)

>>I'm such a mess when I cook that I refuse to wear clothes that I wear outside. And I'm always barefoot at home, even in winter.<<

I'm with you here too, but I might start wearing some house shoes from now on. I can count on one hand the number of times that I've dropped a knife on the floor, but this past weekend was too close. A chef's knife slipped off the chopping board when I accidentally caught the edge of the board with a bowl. It bounced on the floor and the back of the blade hit the top of my foot. A half a bounce difference would have earned me a trip to the E-ward... :(

[Miss Needle]

Like GHG, I just can't wear footwear in the house. I don't even like wearing footwear out in the streets but realize I have no choice in the matter. I like to feel free and unencumbered (hence just the T-shirt).

Good thing you didn't hurt yourself. I can definitely understand that accidents can happen in the kitchen. In the past, I have dropped a heavy Le Creuset lid on my foot. Hurt like a motherf***er! But I still like to live on the edge. ; )

[goodhealthgourmet]

i nearly lost a toe last week when i knocked a chef's knife off the counter...but like Miss Needle, i continue to live dangerously :)

oh, and a fortunate side effect of being barefoot all the time - i keep my floors impeccably clean!

[lcool]

ditto on the floors What taught me to ? skitter and scramble was the 8 pound frozen roast that got a toe decades ago.Still barefoot but I do move fast when things go south.

[bulavinaka]

I'm usually pretty sprite as well, but when a knife falls and bounces, do you jump and possibly land on the knife? That was the conundrum that I faced...

[lcool]

A lot is just calculated luck.I am also willing to sacrifice whatever is on the work surface.?calculated scramble? perhaps risky,but I am pretty aware of where stuff is.cats etc

[RShea78]

""I'm usually pretty sprite as well, but when a knife falls and bounces, do you jump and possibly land on the knife?""

My sister used to shout "Nuke!" whenever she dropped anything. One day out in public she dropped her drink and yelled "Nuke!"... I was floored that someone actually did put their head between their legs and kiss their posterior goodbye! :-O

[cimui]

:-O indeed!

i am happy to report that i have never -- knock on wood -- dropped my knife on my foot, anyone else's foot, or possibly even on the floor. it's strange since i'm a klutz in just about every other way (the kind of person who can run into parking meters because i have a remarkable talent for zoning out sometimes). but my knife is my baby and i'd never drop a baby on the floor. knock on wood!

so i'm going to continue cooking barefoot. i really like being able to pivot between the counter and the stove at a moment's notice.

[lcool]

I am with you.It isn't just my feet and the knife,which I may be just a tad fussy about(baby works,?anal even).It is also 3 cats and 3 dogs mostly kept out during food prep to worry about.If they are in the kitchen with any hope of naughty or selfishness,underfoot is the norm.Therefore evicted is the word rather than put up with the booby traps under foot.

[Candy]

I am very much a shoes on type. People come in and see cream carpeting and remove their shoes. I say "please don't unless it really makes you uncomfortable to wear shoes". I'd rather not have smelly foot perspiration and foot oils on my carpeting and floors.

[Jase]

How funny, I feel the exact opposite. I'd rather not have people track stuff from their shoes all over my hardwood floors. The way I feel about it, think about where your shoes have been. Now you bring it inside the house where someone might sit or lie on the floor? Ugh!

[Candy]

The only ones who sit or lay on my floors are my dogs. I do vacuum daily and have carpeting cleaned on a regular basis.

[Scargod]

I hope you wear a long one. SO wears regular t's and it is very distracting, seeing her bare ass.
I just go barefoot.

[Miss Needle]

No comment ...

[bulavinaka]

I bet if you used her BA as a spatula holder, she'd give longer T's a second thought... :)

[Scargod]

I'm laughin'. I think she would hit me with somethin'. She reserves it for better tools.

[bulavinaka]

To hit you with something, all she has to do is reach "behind" her... What's it about us guys and our "tools?" :)

[Scargod]

I'm very particular about my kitchen utensils and I wouldn't want one damaged with her blindly grabbing just anything. There's always the right tool for the job, IMHO.
Yes, I am a GUY. I work (and play), a lot with my hands and I am proud of my tools.

[bulavinaka]

And as long as she grabs the right tool, I'm sure you'll be a lot more than just proud... :)

[bnemes3343]

hmm... sweaty workout clothing? Not sure I'd want to dine with that particular friend.

[BostonZest]

I work at home so I'm usually in comfy clothes when I'm not out on an appointment or meeting. That said, my husband bought me a chef's coat as a joke about ten years ago, when I realized how really great it was at keeping stains off any of my clothes, I became a devoted wearer of chef's jackets. I've worn out a couple of them and now opt for black when I order new ones.

[jarona]

Definitely old, holey, messy sweats and an old t-shirt. Barefoot. Must be comfy. Also, I always tie my hair back so it doesn't flop in my face or the food. On the weekends, or when guests come over, though, I always change into more presentable attire when it is time to eat!

[c oliver]

I bought a chef's jacket a couple of years ago thinking it would be a) funny and b) cover my clothes as I'm usually cooking up to the last minute and can't change. But I've been embarassed to wear it afraid that guests would think 'who the heck does she think she is.' Maybe I'll wear it after all. Thanks, BZ.

[Candy]

I've thought of getting one in pink for work. Right now we wear aprons...some of the time. It is a kitchen shop.

[LindaWhit]

Always comfy clothes - sweatpants or old leggings and a sweatshirt in the winter, t-shirt and shorts in the summer. And in the winter, Dearfoam slippers - the fuzzy-inside kind - or a large pair of wool socks pulled on over my "regular" socks.

[MMRuth]

It really varies - Saturday was black pants and gray cashmere sweater (which now has some chocolate sable dough on it that I need to remove), Sunday was pyjamas, but I did dress for dinner. Sometimes it's an old shirt of my husband's (summer, usually). I have several aprons and never use them.

[Querencia]

You cook in a cashmere sweater? You are a neater cook than I am. I dare not walk into the kitchen without swathing myself in a huge apron. Somehow I keep wiping my hands on it. My laundry is always full of aprons.

[RShea78]

Querencia, you should have seen the DQ owner I once worked for. He could work on the nastiest piece of equipment with a white dress shirt and never get it soiled. Of course he made it a point to be gone when the afternoon teenage crew was about to show up. I hear he had some shirts ruined by the "cone fumbling" teenagers.

[wraparoundsmock]

I am with you in wearing an bibapron each time I am cooking any kind of food. I find an apron handy for wiping my hands when they get dirty. It also safe me on paper towels. Also like the pockets for wearing my tools

[lcool]

Bare foot, OLD ! chef's coat or an oversized men's cotton shirt,sleeves rolled up.Shorts,pants etc is seasonal.
Good out of the "house" clothes would be ?,I don't want to be that careful.

[bookwormchef]

Always in something comfortable. Also, I simply cannot cook with shoes on. It feels wrong.

[goodhealthgourmet]

"Also, I simply cannot cook with shoes on. It feels wrong."
~~~~~~
i'm with you! i just can't cook with shoes on. slippers, maybe if it's really cold, but no shoes. i know it's dangerous...opportunities abound to sustain major bruises or lose a toe with the occasional dropped glass jar or sharp knife. but my quick reflexes have kept me safe thus far ;)

when i'm in the kitchen, comfort rules. depending on the season it's a t-shirt or tank, and yoga pants or shorts. if i'm entertaining i try to get most of the "heavy lifting" out of the way before the guests arrive, and then change into a pair of jeans & whatever top i want to wear, protected by an apron. the shoes remain OFF at all times at home until i'm ready to walk out the door anyway. i'm all about being casual here. [plus, i have to protect my beautiful teak floors!]

[LJBTampa]

My legs get so tired if I'm standing for a long time on the kitchen tile floor with no shoes. So, I'm always wearing either slippers or Crocs. Almost always sweats and a t-shirt. Comfort is key.

[goodhealthgourmet]

yeah, it kills my lower back after long periods of time, but i just hate wearing shoes indoors! i'm going to invest in a GelPro mat for the kitchen floor.

[lcool]

You will be glad you did.I have a mostly wood floor in the work areas,but not all.Gel Pro makes for a good surface.Was worried about the dogs....but they seem to ignore it Knock on wood

[Candy]

Good to know about the dogs. My youngest has to taste everything. It is all potential food. The other is more discerning. I have hardwood floors but after back surgery and being on my feet from 10-6 a Gel-Pro mat has been on my list. I want a 6' one it will cover most of the area i do my main cooking/standing in. How well do they clean up?

[lcool]

Candy,they clean easily.Mostly with a damp rag.So far no static electricity
issues the second winter.I have tried 2 other back saver things simply not
as good .Gel Pro has done their home work to solve the in the home details.(not garage,basement etc)

[Axalady]

I've been thinking about purchasing GelPro Mats. However, I see on Amazon a lot of comments about the edges curling. Looks to be a common problem. It seems like the company is taking care of these complaints, but what a hassle having to send something back (especially something this expensive). If the edges curl with use I'd rather not buy them. Any Chowhounds have any long-term experience with these mats? Thanks.

[RShea78]

I have yet to see a mat that didn't eventually end up with some curl or split.

I currently have a heavy foam back mat in front of my kitchen sink that grows legs and walks around the kitchen from time to time. One minute it is in front of the stove or scoping out what I have in the fridge. But if it burps or farts- I will seek professional help. ;-)

[Bite Me]

I've had one for a couple of years and it hasn't curled. Does the company say what promotes the curling? Is it because of the way ithe floor and/or mat are cleaned?

[bostoneight]

I looked at the Gel Pro mats too and while they seemed nice I thought that they were a bit too squishy. and expensive anyhow...

I found a nice mat on this site l that has a lot of cushion but the top surface is still firm (and easy to clean) and and by the way, I love this mat my knees used to hurt after being in the kitchen for a short period of time, I am actually enjoying cooking again.

http://matsetc.com/comfort-mats.html

[Sal Vanilla]

I am so with you on the no shoes while cooking. Socks, yes, slippers - if I am forced to. To combat back fatigue I got a set of gel mats that you always see in the back of magazines. yes, someone buys those. They are the best things EVER! I digress...

[c oliver]

What do they cost? I'm interested in them.

[lcool]

BB&B has the smaller sizes,with a coupon less than $50.00.The price per squ ft
was about the same on all the sizes the 5 places I looked.The cost to ship eats any size saving I found.
My large mat has lasted/looks better/less work than all of the other things I've used.rugs/stall matting/raised board with foam pads etc.

[Sal Vanilla]

I paid $322.80 for a 20'x 36" and a 20" x 72" in basketweave. That is shipping and all included. I think those prices are pretty uniform. I love them. I have a terrible back and standing for hours on end cooking and prepping was murder. They have made a huge difference in my post cooking happiness. Also - indestructable. I dumped seriously hot oil on them a couple weeks ago and they looked no different.

[csdiego]

I wear flip-flops, nothing more, nothing less. They protect my feet from the hard floor but without giving my feet that encased feeling of full-scale shoes which, I agree, is just wrong to have when you're cooking.

*I mean, on my feet! On my body I usually wear something pretty skimpy--wearing too much feels uncomfortable when I'm cooking and I hate to get my nice clothes sweaty/smelly/greasy.

[ms. clicquot]

I usually wear a pair of old jeans and a t-shirt, especially if I have a lot of prep work to do. I like to have short sleeves so they don't get in the way plus it gets pretty warm in my kitchen. I put my hair in a ponytail to keep it out of my face (and the food!). And I always wear an apron - I have a bunch in different colours. I'm no fashion plate when I'm cooking but I've ruined a few nice shirts with grease splatters over the years so there's no point in wearing anything too fancy! If we're having guests I'll change into something decent at the last minute.

[bubbles4me]

pair of jeans and a 1X white t-shirt, my most comfy outfit.

[gourmet wife]

For me it's old yoga pants, or sweat pants and t-shirt. Gotta be comfortable. If I have guests coming I normally change once the major cooking is done. Otherwise it's jeans, top and an apron.

[Phoo_d]

I'm right there with you - goodbye work clothes, hello yoga pants and t-shirt. I would probably ruin my work clothes if I cooked in them - I'm just too messy!

I've also learned that when searing meat for a braise on the weekend it's definitely a good idea to wear something! Grease splatters can leave interesting little burn marks in unfortunate places!

Phoo-D
http://www.phoo-d.com