The 'caperon,' a cape-apron hybrid for the superhero of the grill [Updated]
Just in time for grilling season, the folks at San Francisco-based online clothier Betabrand have introduced a star-spangled garment that combines the kitchen efficiency of the apron and the kitsch factor of the superhero cape.
Dubbed the "caperon," its made of 100% cotton, has adjustable straps, an extra-wide front pocket, a utensil holder and a utility loop, retails for $50 and sells exclusively online (like the rest of Betabrand's wares), practically a steal when you realize it'll also be a good starting point for not one but two future Halloween costumes (Las Vegas-era Elvis one year and Evel Knievel the next).
But, as much as I love Betabrand's mash-ups of fun and fashion, I think the crew missed a great opportunity with the caperon by not offering it in a fabrication a little more flame-resistant than cotton -- like Dupont's Nomex, for example.
After all, anyone who's seen "The Incredibles" can tell you that it's the type of wardrobe choice fraught with dangerous possibilities. Which is precisely why the the superheroes' costume designer Edna Mode repeatedly insisted: "No capes!"
Still, if you're going to play with fire, I can't think of a more heroically patriotic way to blaze the trail.
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-- Adam Tschorn
Photo: At left, Betabrand's ($50) cape-apron hybrid in action; at right, a sketch of the star-spangled grill garb. Credit: Jason Van Horn* / Betabrand
[*Updated 6/8/11 11:29 AM: An earlier version of this post incorrectly credited the wrong photographer.]
FYI - most aprons are cotton or cotton/poly blends. They're made for spills, not for firefighting.
And even if Nomex made star-spangled fabric, it would probably double the cost.
Posted by: bruder | June 07, 2011 at 11:27 AM
An absolute waste of good copy space. The Times PAYS a writer for this drivel? The assignment desk editor should be slow-roasted on a spit for asking for material like this.
This belongs on someone's Martha Stewart wannabe blog, not in the Times.
Posted by: NashvilleAudioGuy | June 07, 2011 at 12:53 PM
um thats Gay super Gay
Posted by: amiskulin | June 07, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Wow. That is pretty lame. I hope this company doesn't make a lot of money. At the $50 price point I find it hard to believe people are lining up. And I doubt someone is going to want to drop $50 on this as a gift. TRASH
Posted by: Richard | June 08, 2011 at 06:33 AM
I wonder if I could recreate this on my sewing machine at home. Shouldn't be too hard and way less than $50
Posted by: monica | June 08, 2011 at 12:54 PM