noun
apron (waist-down); waist apron
Refers specifically to an apron that covers from the waist down, as opposed to a full bib apron.
店員は前掛けをして接客していた。
The clerk was serving customers wearing a waist apron.
和食の料理人はよく前掛けを使う。
Japanese chefs often use waist aprons.
エプロン is a general term for apron, often a bib apron covering the chest as well, while 前掛け specifically refers to a waist-down apron.
Compound of 前 (mae, 'front') and 掛け (kake, 'hanging'), literally 'front hanging'.