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The end of an era

SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
edited May 24 in Ecclesiantics
Tat lovers will be sad to learn that Wippells is closing

Manufacturers of very good quality clerical wear and church furnishings as well as publishing the most unintentionally hilarious catalogue.

Comments

  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate
    That is a shame. :(

    Though I think F A Dumont (with only the best in kitschy ecclesiastical art) could give them a run for their money on the catalogue front.
  • stonespringstonespring Shipmate
    I’ve never seen Wippells’ catalogue, but I confess that I have at times looked through the images in CM Almy’s and Autom’s catalogues to see if there were any attractive (male) models for the vestments. My tastes in men are, to say the least, idiosyncratic.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    TMI.
  • Alan29Alan29 Shipmate
    Back in the day I owned a Wippel's cassock and linen surplice. They were beautifully made.
  • TheOrganistTheOrganist Shipmate
    In olden days when I was a lad a Wippels cassick had a band of felt (?) inside the hem so mud could be removed without effort.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    My first cassock came from Wippell's, too. It lasted extremely well, but as I put on weight in middle age, it had to be replaced. Being rather short of £££ at the time, I went to a different supplier, and ended up buying rubbish which wore out in no time...

    There are other outfitters of repute, though, and it is to be hoped that they are able to continue once Wippell's have gone.
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host
    My now 30+yo cassock came from the excellent J&M Sewing Services in Newcastle.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    I refrain from mentioning the name of the supplier from whom I obtained my latest cassock (it survives, having been neatly repaired by Our Place's former seamstress, now in Heaven, although I no longer use it).

    I did buy a cassock-alb from yet another supplier, and have been entirely satisfied with it. So satisfied, in fact, that I commissioned a festal altar frontal from the same firm, as a memorial to my late parents, and to serve in the Mission Church of my Yoof. The church has been rebuilt, but the frontal AFAIK is still in use.

    I suppose it depends on how much a cassock or other vestment is likely to be used. A clergyperson who wears their cassock every day, maybe even whilst out and about in the parish, needs something more durable than (say) a chorister who wears it once a week. Quality costs more, but if you pay cheap, you may pay twice or thrice...

    Come to think of it, I still have a surplice supplied by Wippell's, though I've always worn a cotta at Our Place (I can't remember where that came from). The surplice must be getting on for 50 years old...
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    When Belfast Cathedral choir decided to get new robes (including replacing the ladies' Geneva gowns with cassocks and surplices) we got them from Wippell's, and they did indeed have a very good quality feel to them.

    When we moved to Canada David's parents gave him a present of a Wippell's cassock and surplice.

    Very sorry to see them go.
  • PuzzlerPuzzler Shipmate
    Slight tangent, but is anyone aware of a way of finding a good home for robes no longer in use?
  • stonespringstonespring Shipmate
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    TMI.

    It’s not the fact that the guys were wearing vestments that made them attractive to me - it’s they they weren’t the kind of guys you usually see in catalogs.
  • PomonaPomona Shipmate
    stonespring wrote: »
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    TMI.

    It’s not the fact that the guys were wearing vestments that made them attractive to me - it’s they they weren’t the kind of guys you usually see in catalogs.

    Ninjas?
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate
    Puzzler wrote: »
    Slight tangent, but is anyone aware of a way of finding a good home for robes no longer in use?

    Depends on the type, but I would have thought theological colleges would be a good port of call for clerical wear.
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host
    Or your local training course for readers and/or clergy.
  • ThunderBunkThunderBunk Shipmate
    If they are choir robes, there are groups on the book of face where I've seen surplus robes advertised. There tends to be an oversupply, unfortunately, but one might catch a point at which a choir is looking and you are offering.
  • Gill HGill H Shipmate
    Someone needs to set up a business called Surplice To Requirements…
  • TheOrganistTheOrganist Shipmate
    Puzzler wrote: »
    Slight tangent, but is anyone aware of a way of finding a good home for robes no longer in use?

    Advertise them in The Church Times.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited May 26
    Gill H wrote: »
    Someone needs to set up a business called Surplice To Requirements…

    I think they already have, but I'm not quite sure how to interpret this page:

    https://www.grandtheftwiki.com/Surplice_To_Requirements
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Puzzler wrote: »
    Slight tangent, but is anyone aware of a way of finding a good home for robes no longer in use?

    I'd quite like to get a cassock and surplice for when I sing with Scottish Voices; the general dress code is, if your home church has robes, bring a set (if, like St Pete's, you haven't got any, smart street clothes in unobtrusive colours are fine - I get away with a black top and trousers).

    Unfortunately I'm an awkward shape - short and plump - so I'd probably have to have them made, and I'm not sure I could justify Wippell's prices.
  • OblatusOblatus Shipmate
    Wippell's downloadable catalog
  • stonespringstonespring Shipmate
    Pomona wrote: »
    stonespring wrote: »
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    TMI.

    It’s not the fact that the guys were wearing vestments that made them attractive to me - it’s they they weren’t the kind of guys you usually see in catalogs.

    Ninjas?

    I deeply wish I knew what you meant here. I’ve looked at the link @Oblatus gave below, and I don’t see anyone yet that looks remotely like a ninja. An inside joke?
  • PomonaPomona Shipmate
    stonespring wrote: »
    Pomona wrote: »
    stonespring wrote: »
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    TMI.

    It’s not the fact that the guys were wearing vestments that made them attractive to me - it’s they they weren’t the kind of guys you usually see in catalogs.

    Ninjas?

    I deeply wish I knew what you meant here. I’ve looked at the link @Oblatus gave below, and I don’t see anyone yet that looks remotely like a ninja. An inside joke?

    Sorry, it was a joke based on the trope of ninjas being hidden - as in, not the kind of men you usually see in catalogues because you don't usually see them...
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