Clergy Clothing & Vestments

A clergy shirt and a clerical collar are two parts of one system: the shirt carries the collar, and the collar style decides the look. This guide explains how tab, full band, neckband and tunnel collars attach, which shirt each one needs, how to match them by denomination, and how to care for the pair. Read more...

Measuring for a surplice takes four numbers: height, chest, back length and sleeve. This guide gives the method, the height-based size chart used in our atelier, hem-length guidance for every role, junior chorister sizing and when to choose made-to-measure. Read more...

Anglican and Catholic surplices differ in the cut: wide, fully gathered sleeves for Anglican use, a more restrained cut with lace or coloured lining for Catholic use. This guide compares the styles, the cotta and the rochet, and helps you choose for your parish. Read more...

Choir surplices explained: adult choristers wear the full surplice, junior singers the cotta, and both go over a cassock as "choir dress". This guide covers fabrics that survive weekly washing, height-based sizing for a whole choir, care tips and how to order a matching set. Read more...

Mitre, zucchetto or biretta? A quick guide to the hats a bishop wears — what each one is called, who wears it and when. Read more...

Clerical collars come in more than one shape: the tab collar with its neat white slot, the full band "dog collar", the detachable neckband, the structured tunnel collar and the historic tonsure collar. This guide explains how each type attaches, which denominations favour it, and how to pick the right one for your shirt. Read more...

Cassock sizing: height, chest, waist, shoulder, sleeve, collar; length to shoes. Read more...

Bishop insignia and vestments: mitre, crozier, zucchetto, pallium, pectoral cross. Read more...

Maniple: left-forearm vestment of the traditional Latin Mass; matches the chasuble set. Read more...

The vestments worn by deacons in the Catholic Church are called the dalmatic and the stole. The dalmatic is a long, loose-fitting tunic worn over the alb, a white garment worn by all ministers at the altar. The dalmatic has wide sleeves and is often made of silk or other rich fabric. It is usually decorated with elaborate designs and often has a distinctive color that corresponds to the liturgical season or feast day. Deacons wear it during Mass. Read more...

The white vestment worn by Catholic priests is called an alb, derived from the Latin word "albus," meaning white. The alb is a full-length, long-sleeved tunic made of lightweight, breathable fabric, typically white. It is worn over the priest's street clothes and is usually tied at the waist with a cord or belt. The alb is a liturgical vestment, considered one of the oldest and most essential garments worn by clergy during Mass. Read more...

The garments worn by a Catholic priest during the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgical events are called liturgical vestments. These vestments include a chasuble, stole, alb, and cincture. The chasuble is the outermost garment worn over the alb and is often decorated with symbols and designs. The stole is a long, narrow strip of cloth worn around the neck and hanging down the front of the priest's body. Read more...

A priestly vestment is a garment worn by a priest during liturgical celebrations, such as the Eucharist or other sacraments in the Catholic Church. These vestments are sacred and symbolic garments that represent the priest's role in the liturgy and his connection to Christ and the Church.There are several types of priestly vestments, each with its own symbolism and purpose, such as the chasuble, stole, alb, cincture, maniple and dalmatic. Read more...

The colors of clergy shirts can have different meanings depending on the denomination and tradition. Black is the most common color for clerical attire and is often associated with mourning and humility. White is associated with purity, righteousness and holiness, red with the Holy Spirit, martyrdom and sacrifice, purple with royalty, penance and preparation, and green with growth, renewal and hope. Read more...

A priest wears a biretta as part of his traditional vestments during certain liturgical celebrations or when performing official duties. The biretta is a square hat with three or four ridges or peaks representing the Holy Trinity or the four Gospels. It is a symbol of the priesthood and is worn as a sign of reverence and respect for the sacredness of the liturgy. In addition, the biretta serves the practical purpose of protecting the head. Read more...