A pinafore is a sleeveless dress or apron-like garment worn over other clothes to keep them clean. The word comes from the idea of pinning fabric afore (an old word for “in front of”) your regular clothing.

Think of the classic pinafore as a jumper dress: it has no sleeves, covers your front and back, and is meant to be worn over a shirt or blouse. You might see pinafores in historical photos or old-fashioned children's books, where girls wore them over their everyday dresses to protect the fabric underneath from dirt and stains during messy work or play. In Anne of Green Gables, Anne often wears a pinafore over her dress while doing farm chores.

Today, pinafores have become more of a fashion choice than practical protection. Modern pinafores look like sleeveless dresses, often made from denim or corduroy, worn over T-shirts or turtlenecks. They're popular in school uniforms in some countries, especially Britain and Australia.

Whether as protective clothing or a style choice, the pinafore serves the same basic purpose: covering and protecting what's underneath.