I’m trying to get a read on this, kitty cats:
I think SO much better than the traditional clerical blouse, so major props for that. The fit is great for a slimmer woman without too big a chest, although the empire waist is not a wise choice for a big busted gal. This is a problem I’ve seen quite a bit lately: empire waists serving up minister’s bosom on a big shelf with tons of cleavage — PLEASE do not do that, ladies. I know we love our curves but it’s too pregnant milk maid, it’s juvenile (as in, “let the kids be tacky, it’s their prerogative”), and it’s inappropriate.
So while I love the body-skimming style, I don’t love the seam.
I LOVE the sleeves and imagine a lot of you are doing a little cheer about those as well. YAY! Finally! A sleeve that isn’t all huge and hideous and flappy! And something that is designed to be in-between the boy-cut short sleeve and the sleeveless clericals offered by other companies. More of this option, please!
I am a bit confused by the lower half of the blouse. It looks a bit like maternity wear to me. I don’t think it looks bad, necessarily, just strange. What do you think?
WomenSpirit is a small, woman-run company. They love your feedback and better than that, they’d love your business.
I know I’m not a great fashionista but I really don’t “get” a lot of WomanSpirit’s products. They have an awful lot of products that seem designed to make women look pregnant or fat or both.
What about a traditional tee shirt with a clerical collar and leave off the silly Empire waist?
First thought – this looks like a nursing cleric. I completely missed that the empire waist was a fashion thing – I was just impressed by how well they hid the buttons.
The empire waist is in fashion. It makes everyone look pregnant. I look forward to it going away, though this is one of the nicer expressions of it.
Heh. Compared to clergy shirts made by other groups *cough*Augsburg Fortress*cough* that fit like muumuus? That’s so far ahead of the crowd, it’s awesome. I like Empire wastes, but only on dresses, where they look a lot less maternityish.
I do have a number of Women’s Spirit blouses and like them. Personally, they’re more feminine (yeah)and usually quite comfortable. I really don’t know what to make of this one though. I got their email about it and it doesn’t do much for me. Of course, I’m short and heavy, so it just may not be a good fit for me. Lengthwise, it looks to be like the tunic type blouses they carry.
even the model doesn’t really look comfortable in this shirt. I love WomenSpirit ordinarily, but this is just not flattering.
I think WomenSpirit vestments are gorgeous, and their clergy shirts awful. The only really good clergy shirts I’ve found are the ones I had made (not as expensive as you might think, and the ones I had altered from women’s regular dress shirts. I have a custom-made clergy shirt out of heavy-weight blue silk that stands up very well to an Easter Sunday morning.
Has anyone tried this blouse? How does it work in real life? Is it flattering only on willowy frames? Does it have buttons in the back? Does the collar attach in the usual way? It is described as 92% cotton and 8% spandex, which sounds comfortable. Is it a substantial fabric, or on the flimsy side? I think it has potential. I have been pleased with the quality and cut of several other WomenSpirit blouses over the years.
I just saw the e-mail and thought “Why, why, why the empire waist?” There are so many places making basic knit tops for women (LL Bean, Talbots) that could have offered a template. I may order one but if the wait isn’t below my breasts (and often such waists aren’t even after I spent gobs of money on “high and tight” bras fitted to me by a professional) I will return it.
Now, for a great knit top, try Casual Priest…but I’m not paying those prices until I lose weight. Sigh.
Personally, the little gathers are a deal-breaker: they “invite” the eyes to drift down to breast-level to take in the blouse’s detail. Not what I need to be emphasizing.
I don’t know if anybody else had this experience, but when I first looked at the blouse the bottom half looked ALOT like the black half-apron restaurant servers wear. It struck me as odd looking. [I did do a furrowed brow double-take just trying to figure it out. And it does look like an apron. Aside from that, HI DEREK!- PB]
No. Just no.
For a small, woman owned company, they don’t heed the suggestions given to them very quickly! This would only be flattering to a tiny person, and it looks homemade and not in a good way! Why not a basic fitted knit shirt with short (not elbow length) sleeves? Why not a dress with princess seams and a flared hem? Why not a nursing shirt? (This looks like a nursing shirt to me)? Why is there regular stuff made so huge and their one maternity shirt made tiny, with princess seams and no stretch? I don’t have any desire to be a fashionista, but I want what I think most people want, the basic classic, well made stuff that looks good on most people. Makes me wish I could sew.
I have mixed feelings about the shirt. On it’s own, I see that the bottom is a bit akward looking, and I know that an empire waist is dangerous for anyone who might look like they are even 5 days pregnant. But, I’m guessing that it would work pretty well as a layering piece. I imagine that the slim fit would be welcome under a V neck sweater, or a cardigan or jacket.
I love WomenSpirit. And I think this shirt shows real promise.
Not all empire waist items make one look pregnant. It all depends on where the line is. And my guess is with this shirt, the line will fall in an awkward place for those with a bust size above a C-cup.
This is why Peacebang keeps telling one and all that alterations are your friend.
I would really love to see someone other than the WomenSpirit model wearing this shirt. Has anyone tried it? Did you like it, or send it back? I need to buy a new clergy shirt although I am dreading it. And soooo flipping expensive!
I do know how to sew but my pastor friend who can’t had a dressmaker make her several clergy shirts. The quality might be around the same but they fit perfectly and don’t cost much more. And yes if I had more time I would have made them but I don’t.
I’m drooling over this one. At U.S. $125, it’s pricey but I luuurve it.
http://www.casualpriest.com/toppar/rakel-svart.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dc04720a10c1345%2C0
OOPS. That first one is more like $215.
Here’s a cute one, too, for “just” US $150:
http://www.casualpriest.com/toppar/eva-bla.html
Yum. [I’m right there with you. Fab. – PB]
Now that I am being (re)ordained in the Episcopal Church, I am currently shopping for clericals. (Thanks to commenters on this site–because of you I already knew what a challenge this would be.)
When I look at this WomanSpirit design, I would not even think of ordering it because it says two things to me: “I am going to emphasize your breasts!” and “I am going to make you look fat!” Neither of these are particularly compelling to me. But, I am not the only body/personality type out there.
If WomanSpirit is listening, could you consider making a clergy dress with princess seams and an A-line skirt that goes past the knees? I think someone else on this list commented something similar–add me to that trend!
I like a lot of WomenSpirit products, especially the newly designed tab-collar Janie, but this does strike me as not quite right. Either way, when they debut something new like this, I wish they would offer a tab-collar version for those of us who aren’t fans of the full collar! Almy is the same way with the relative lack of tab-collar options.
I actually got to try on these blouses before they went into production. I tried it on and immediately ordered one in each color. It’s a great alternative to the button-up. It’s really just a simple knit top. I’m by no means a “willowy frame” with a full bust and a size 14. And the knit top isn’t skin tight or inappropriate. Nor does the empire waist inappropriately display my chest. It generally just looks like the shirt is fitted with darts, like any other shirt. I like it as a more modern alternative that will be way more comfortable on hot days.
Thanks, Meghan. You have encouraged me to order one of these and give it a try.
I have just bought two of these knit shirts, no empire shaping, tab collar, and they are perfect. Good quality fabric, perfect sizing, and look good…and I’m of the short and fat variety who hates gaping buttons. I’ve just ordered some long-sleeved black tabs for winter. To me they are worth both the initial cost and the horrendous customs charge.
I am loving my sleevless tab collar knit clergy shirt so much that I ordered another, plus two of their new short (almost elbow length) sleeve version of same. I think these will last well as long as I wash in cold and hang dry. I like WomenSpirit’s empire waist version pretty well on me, but am thrilled with this new combination of very comfy tab collar plus comfy and flattering knit. (The empire waist knit style is currently only offered with a full “Anglican” collar–which looks professional, but can get seriously sweaty in hot weather and feel constricting after a long day. At least, for me.)