page_title: Clerical clothing
section_title: Catholicism (Latin Rite)
hierarchical_section_title: Clerical clothing / Catholicism (Latin Rite)
caption_attribution_description: And example of two priests wearing clerical clothing while walking the streets of Vienna, Austria.
context_page_description: Clerical clothing is non-liturgical clothing worn exclusively by clergy. It is distinct from vestments in that it is not reserved specifically for services. Practices vary: is sometimes worn under vestments, and sometimes as the everyday clothing or street wear of a priest, minister, or other clergy member. In some cases, it can be similar or identical to the habit of a monk or nun.
  In modern times, many Christian clergy have adopted the use of a shirt with a clerical collar.
context_section_description: In 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council made it mandatory for all the Christian clergy to wear distinctive dress.  Its purpose was not necessarily to elevate the status of the Christian clerics; it was intended that they would catch the public eye if any member of the clergy is seen on the street.  However, the rules at the time were not the same as the modern rules, and the rules vary by jurisdiction.
  Cassock: A long-sleeved, hoodless garment. Depending on the climate it can be made of very lightweight material or heavy wool. In tropical climates white is worn. This is the norm for secular clergy and members of religious institutes. Some religious societies such as the Jesuits and Redemptorists wear their own style of cassock. Monks and friars wear a habit which can differ considerably from the cassock. Cassocks are generally ankle-length. The color is black for priests, black with purple piping for canons, black with fuchsia piping for monsignors, black with red piping for bishops; and black with scarlet for cardinals. The Roman Pontiff wears a white cassock. Monsignors, bishops and cardinals have what is known as a "choir cassock" for liturgical occasions but this is not worn for everyday wear.
  Ferraiolo: A full-length cape reaching to the ankles. This is only worn with the cassock on formal white tie or Morning dress occasions.
  Cape: A covering for the cassock in cold weather.
  Greca (clothing) (douillette): An overcoat covering the cassock.
  Hat: Zuchetto or biretta, depending on circumstance.
  Clerical collar: There are a variety of options for daily clerical attire, all involving the use of a clerical collar:
  Collarino (Tab Collar): This is probably the most common type of shirt and collar among Roman-rite Catholic clergy. It resembles a standard dress shirt, but has a standing black collar that is sewn to accommodate a white cloth or soft plastic insert, leaving a small white square at the base of the throat.
  Neckband: A collarless shirt (similar to a banded collar shirt) tailored to accommodate a strip of linen or plastic that, when worn over the shirt, creates a standing white collar that rings the neck. This detachable collar is fastened with collar stays or buttons.  These shirts and detachable collars were originally intended to be worn underneath a waistcoat, rabat, or cassock.  Today these shirts are almost invariably black poly-cotton, but when worn under a waistcoat or rabat are usually white and made of a higher quality oxford cotton weave.
  Clerical waistcoat or rabat: Clerical waistcoats or rabats are the most traditional and formal item of clerical costume.  They are almost always black and are made of worsted wool.  Clerical waistcoats generally sport silk backing.  They are worn over a neckband shirt and a detachable collar to create a cassock-like appearance about the neck.  Unlike the waistcoats that accompany suits, they button all the way to the collar.  The rabat is a late innovation, and exactly mirrors the clerical waistcoat, except that it is backless.
  In Rome, Roman-rite Catholic clergy are permitted to wear black, grey, and blue clerical shirts, while in most countries they are permitted to wear only black, quite likely because of long-standing custom and to distinguish them from non-Catholic clergy.
  This applies to the Latin clergy only. Clergy of the Eastern Catholic Churches dress in a similar fashion to local Orthodox clergy.
caption: On the right, an example of the full collar shirt and cassock; on the left, a clerical shirt that could have a tab collar inserted.
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