Thanks for writing in with all these great links for vestments and robes that I’ve never seen before!
Someone just directed us to the Victorious Robes catalog, which promises “Qwick-Ship” and whose prices aren’t as bad as many others’.
I think their pulpit robes are fine, and their vestments seem fine, too.
I’m fascinated by the “Church Attire” catagory but I’m not really sure what that’s supposed to mean.
I’m kind of speechless over the men’s vests. If my pastor or ushers ever wore one of those vests I’d think they had forgotten to change from their moonlighting job as a blackjack dealer at the local casino.
And the women’s suits are very Mother of the Bride. We’ve got to do something about the Brocade Abuse going on in these catalogs. We’re not supposed to try to compete with the paraments.
Actually, they are fine for the context of many historically African American churches. Context, it’s all about context. (Like the sandals and casual wear in the Pacific Northwest white congregations.)
Even the VESTS???? Please don’t tell me even the VESTS are good in any context.
Could you help me more with stoles? My lascivious desire to buy South American folklorico stoles at Third World craft sales at seminary turned out to be The Thrifty Pastor’s Choice, but I’m still low a red stole.
I was close to wearing out my Geneva gowns, but a couple years out west has extended their life — I’ve only put on a pulpit gown for an installation. The fact that my two faille robes have held up for 30 plus years makes them, well, the only garments I have that have lasted since seminary. A long garment bag is a good item to have for protecting your robe in the closet and in a suitcase, check what is listed in the Victorious offerings.
Your comments about not competing with the paraments reminds me of another church item lacking in every congregation I have served — a church pall. They have a very useful function in funerals, taking the focus off the casket. I meant to organize a project of making one, but out here no one shows up for their Memorial in a casket — cardboard boxes are the norm.
When I was in Atlanta last month, there was some kind of convention going on for African American ministers. Some folks were in all white, some were in all black, and some were dressed like the man in the photo.
I’m with Diane Miller about the pall. (I even voted for her once, and not even for her positions on vesture.)
I wonder what would be a good material and style that is dignified without seeming self-consciously “ecclesiastic” — as so many “ecclesiastic” goods are tacky and expensive.