Ship of Fools: Shopping for Clericals in London

Thread: Shopping for Clericals in London Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Bookworm (# 11575) on :

Greetings! I hope this thread is in the right place. I'm visiting London for a few days early in November and would like to shop for some new clergy shirts and perhaps look at some nice stoles etc.

I live in the Antipodes and the only shop in town that stocks clerical shirts sells cheap and nasty ones that are like boys' high school shirts. So, I've tended to buy online from overseas, but shipping is expensive and it would be nice (for once) to try on a range of brands for size and fit!

Can anyone recommend any shops in central London that ideally sell a range of brands (that make shirts for women) and would be worth a visit?

Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :

I shall be watching this with interest because my sister is visiting London the week before Christmas, and if someone suggests something promising, I might have to ask Santa to shop there. [Biased]

Posted by Charles Read (# 3963) on :

Try these:
tat shop A

tat shop B

Just round the corner from each other.

Posted by Custard (# 5402) on :

tat shop 3

Most British clergy get this stuff online / mail order.

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :

Hi there fellow Antipodean.

I have my shirts (clerical and otherwise) made-to-measure by a wonderful tailor in Hong Kong - only too happy to pass on his details to you. Including postage, he sends me pure cotton shirts for about $55-$65. And, his black clergy shirts don't fade into a horrible grey or rust colour like they do with other brands.

If you have a clerical shirt that really fits you well, send it to him and he'll copy it exactly. Better still, on your way over, drop in and be measured up (while predominantly a male tailor, he's done some marvellous blouses etc for my mother).

[ 24. October 2012, 12:25: Message edited by: Emendator Liturgia ]

Posted by Fifi (# 8151) on :

Faith House Bookshop has been closed for years! But, in the basement of Faith House, you will find Watts & Co.. A couple of doors along (if it is still there), you will also find a branch of this lot.

Posted by Poppy (# 2000) on :

You could take a train to Crawley and tat heaven

Posted by Circuit Rider (# 13088) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
Hi there fellow Antipodean.

I have my shirts (clerical and otherwise) made-to-measure by a wonderful tailor in Hong Kong - only too happy to pass on his details to you. Including postage, he sends me pure cotton shirts for about $55-$65. And, his black clergy shirts don't fade into a horrible grey or rust colour like they do with other brands.

If you have a clerical shirt that really fits you well, send it to him and he'll copy it exactly. Better still, on your way over, drop in and be measured up (while predominantly a male tailor, he's done some marvellous blouses etc for my mother).

That's a pretty attractive price (doing the conversion to AU$ to US$. Sending PM for contact info.

Posted by Circuit Rider (# 13088) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
I shall be watching this with interest because my sister is visiting London the week before Christmas, and if someone suggests something promising, I might have to ask Santa to shop there.

You and me both BF. What we really need to do is hide in little CR#6's luggage and take the first train to Westminster after landing. [Biased]

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Poppy:
You could take a train to Crawley and tat heaven

To explain to those not familiar with UK layout. Crawley is in the greater London connurbation, near Gatwick Airport. It is not as though Poppy is suggesting that you come oop North.

Jengie

Posted by Bookworm (# 11575) on :

Thanks so much everyone that's brilliant! I knew you would be the people who would know.

[Smile]

Posted by Charles Read (# 3963) on :

Thanks Fifi - those were the places I was trying to mention!

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
It is not as though Poppy is suggesting that you come oop North.

Hmm, some of their vestments looks like it has come straight out of Poland, etc (see ebay.)

If one was to com oop north, I think I'd be heading more for Jesus and Mary in Newcastle, i.e. J&M!

Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :

I have heard that Vanpoulles is just a little tacky and not quite.

J and M (who are now By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen) are apparently just excellent, helpful and reasonable and good quality. And in the North.

Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :

There's a difference between clerical street wear and liturgical vestments, aka tat. Some firms are better at the former than the latter. Wippels are predominantly tailors so OK if you want (expensive) shirts, cassocks etc; J & M similar but cheaper and better value. Vanpoulles are good for run of the mill vestments and statues, tending towards the naff/tatty end of the spectrum; similarly Ormsby's of Scarisbrick (near Ormskirk, West Lancs). Watts is at the quality end of untatty tat, but predominantly traditional brocades etc. Hayes and Finch (head office Liverpool but branches all over the country) are good for general church supplies like candles, and hardware like chalices. But if you want bespoke and 'designer' chasubles and stoles, it's best to find an independent artist, and have a rich sponsor.

Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :

I don't quite see the point of grey clerical shirts. If the standard black ones are bought, they become grey after a few washes.

Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :

The bookshop next to Westminster Cathedral has a range of clergy wear as well, and its a really good bookshop.

Posted by Meerkat (# 16117) on :

I was very happy with my cassock, cotta and girdle (cassock made to measure) from Wippells in London.

Still am, in fact!

Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :

gosh you must be well off.

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