CLERICAL HABITS
Introduction
I have put this paper together as a guide on how a clergyman in the Diocese of Ife (Anglican Communion) should dress. This became necessary seeing how some of us dress in an uncoordinated manner. Kindly note that you cannot dress any how, you must follow the rules.
As you move around from diocese to diocese within Nigeria and outside, you will see all sorts of dress mode, do not copy wrong habits simply because others are wearing it.
Clerical Shirts
There are only two colours permitted: Grey and Black. By way of education, in the Anglican heritage, black shirts are worn by orthodox Anglicans (High Churchmanship) and Gray shirts are worn by Evangelical Anglicans (Low Church). Since our church in Nigeria is both high and low, both colours are permitted.
It can be short or long sleeve depending on your preference.
There are three types of shirt collar types permitted: 1. Slip in collar, 2. Dog collar, and 3. Dress shirt collar. In terms of preference, Dog collar should be used when you wear Chasubles or Copes. I have instructed my Chaplains to use dog collar with Chaplain dress anytime I wear cope or Chasubles.
Collars
Please note that dog collars use two studs, one in front to replace the uppermost button and hold collar in place. The second is used at the back of the shirt to close the collar. The practice of using dog collar on slip in collar shirt is not proper.
Cassocks
We have two types of cassocks, single and double breasted. Also, we permit two colours; white or black. For me personally I prefer white cassock. When you use double breasted you must use a robe to tie it by the waist. I prefer you use a rope that matches the colour of the cassock. Cincture is not permitted. You can wear a single-breasted cassock without a rope.
Girdle
Cassock Albs
Cassock albs are to be used only for communion service when you are using chasuble. Do not wear surplice on cassock alb. Also, I do not permit you wearing alb around as you will wear a cassock.
Stole
In the Anglican Church only 4 colours of stole are permitted- white, red, green and purple representing our various season in the church’s calendar.
White – is used for occasional services like weddings, birthdays, thanksgiving e.t.c. it can also be used during Christmas and Easter seasons in the church calendar. For us in Diocese of Ife we use white for Ordination.
Green – is used during the church calendar season of Trinity.
Red – is generally used for certain Saints’ day, confirmation and Maundy Thursday service.
Purple – is used for Lent and Advent seasons. Also, we use it for burials.
Note that we also have the all-season stole. As the name suggests it can be worn in all season. However, the common practice is that it is worn only as a replacement for white and green stole.
Surplice
We only allow white plane surplice for priests. We don’t allow surplice with lace materials. Those are used mostly by acolytes. Your surplice should be long, but your cassock must show under it. Short surplices are for choir members. The surplice for an organist has a special cut to free the hand as shown in the diagram.
Jackets and Suits
When you buy a new suit, the first thing you remove is the tag on the sleeve of the suit. If you don’t, people will label you a ‘’bush man.’’ They are there for easy identification when buying only.
When to wear a tuxedo
The tuxedo should be worn only in the evening. Since its origins, tuxedo has always been considered the evening outfit par excellence. The original purpose of this elegant clothing was to replace the suit worn all day, allowing men to leave behind the dirt and smell of a day spent on horseback.
Sports Jacket
A sport coat (or sport jacket) is, for all intents and purposes, any jacket that resembles a suit jacket but is not made with matching trousers. This lack of matching pants is one of the key differentiators between sport coats and suit jackets. We sometimes use the term “odd jacket” to refer to such a coat. Wear them for non-formal occasions. Do not wear them if you are required to wear a suit or dress formally.
Dress suit
One unique feature of a dress suit is that the Suit and the Trouser are made of the same material. They could be Single or double breasted. Notice that in the picture above only one button is tied when walking or standing. This is what I expect you to wear for formal occasions including services where we appear in suit. The dark colours (Grey, Black, Navy Blue) are preferred.
Shoes
For shoes, we wear only black shoes when dressed clerical. For formal occasions, we use the dress shoe or Loafers. Note they both have hills. We do not wear flat sole when formally dressed. If you are casual, you can wear flat sole or Trainers.
