Vestments

Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions, especially the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Methodists, Lutheran and Anglican Churches. more...

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Many other Protestant groups also make use of vestments, but this was a point of controversy in the Protestant Reformation and sometimes since - notably during the Ritualist controversies in England in the 19th century.

For other garments worn by clergy, see also Clerical clothing.

Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant vestments

For the Eucharist, each vestment symbolizes a spiritual dimension of the priesthood, with roots in the very origins of the Church. In some measure these vestments harken to the Roman roots of the See of Peter.

Use of the following vestments varies. Some are used by all Western Christians in liturgical traditions. Many are used only in the Catholic and Anglican churches, and there is much variation within each of those churches.

Used by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some Protestants

Surplice 

A decorative white tunic worn over the cassock.

Stole 

A long, narrow strip of cloth draped around the neck, a vestment of distinction, a symbol of ordination. Deacons wear it draped across the left shoulder diagonally across the body to the right hip. Corresponds to the Orthodox orarion and epitrachelion (see below).

Alb 

The common garment of all ministers at the eucharist, worn over street clothes or a cassock. Most closely corresponds to the Orthodox sticharion (see below). Symbolizes baptismal garmet. See also Cassock-alb.

Used by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some Methodists

Chasuble 

The outermost sacramental garment of priests and bishops, often quite decorated. Corresponds to the Orthodox phelonion (see below). See also chasuble-alb.

Dalmatic 

The outermost garment of deacons.

Amice 

a cloth around the neck used to cover the collar of street attire.

Cincture 

or Girdle. Corresponds to the Orthodox zone.

Used by Catholics and some Anglicans and Lutherans

Tunicle 

The outermost garment of subdeacons.

Cope 

A circular cape reaching to the ankle, used by bishops, priests and deacons.

Maniple 

A liturgical handkerchief bound about the wrist. According to some authorities, this corresponds to the Orthodox epigonation (see below). Modern usage of the maniple in either church is rare. It is mainly used in the Catholic Church when celebrating Mass according to the Tridentine Rite and in some Anglo-Catholic parishes.

Humeral veil 

Long cloth rectangle draped around the shoulders and used to cover the hands when carrying a monstrance.

Rochet 

Surplice with narrower sleeves.

Zucchetto 

Skull cap, similar to the yarmulke

Mitre 

Worn by Bishops and abbots. Despite the having the same name, this does not really correspond with the Eastern mitre (see below), which has a distinct history and which was adopted much later.

Biretta 

May be worn by clergy of all ranks except the Pope; color signifies rank.

Read more at Wikipedia.org