Clerical shirts have really evolved over the years and fit not just a modern clergy but also a modern world. At the same time they do remain a traditional garment that says a great deal about one’s profession. There are many styles, colours, fabrics and patterns available due to high demand. Black is no longer the most recognised colour. It really has become a fashion industry in its own right and the clergy are fighting to keep it that way, especially the ladies. I was recently asked if I could make a clerical hoodies. It could work! We are always looking for suggestions so please visit our blog.
So lets look at some styles. Slip in collar clerical shirts or tab collar shirts (as they call it in the USA), tonsure shirts with double cuffs, tunic shirts, collar attached (normal collar with clergy collar insert) clerical shirts, and clerical blouses are the main styles. There are of course other names for these styles. The most popular clergy shirt in the United Kingdom is the slip in collar and as the name suggests a collar is slipped in. The tonsure shirt is a formal shirt with double cuffs. The tunic clerical shirts have detachable vicar collars, made from linen or plastic. Nowadays there are male and female variations to these styles and different cuts.
The USA is without a doubt the largest market for clerical shirts in the world, and the United kingdom being the second. There is a slight difference with USA and UK shirts but not that it matters as we sell all over the world, as does shirt manufacturers and retailers in the USA. It is all down to preference by the person that wears them.