Faithful Witness Clergy Tippet – Black
Faithful Witness: Black Clergy Tippet
The tippet is a long, narrow scarf-like vestment worn draped around the neck and hanging down the front of the cassock or surplice, typically secured loosely at the chest. Unlike a liturgical stole, the tippet is traditionally worn for non-sacramental services such as Morning and Evening Prayer, weddings, and funerals and is closely associated with Anglican and other reformed liturgical traditions. Its plain black color and simple construction reflect its role as a mark of ordination and preaching authority rather than a ceremonial color-coded vestment.
Fabric and Construction
This tippet is made from a durable, easy-care fabric chosen to hold its shape and finish over years of regular use. Unlike a heavier stole, the tippet is designed to be lightweight enough for comfortable wear over long services, while still hanging with a clean, flat drape rather than curling or creasing. The fabric resists wrinkling in storage, making it a practical piece to keep on hand for weekly use as well as occasional formal services.
Design Details
- Traditional Silhouette: A long, flat, unadorned black band, worn around the neck and falling down the front on both sides.
- Tailored Length: Each side measures 50 inches, long enough to hang past the waist for a traditional, dignified drape.
- Gender-Specific Widths: Offered in a 7-inch width tailored for men and a 5-inch width tailored for women, so the proportions sit correctly on different frames.
- Versatile Use: Worn over a cassock, surplice, or Geneva gown, suitable for regular Sunday services as well as weddings and funerals.
Sizing and Fit
Choose the 7-inch width for a men's fit or the 5-inch width for a women's fit. Both are cut to the same 50-inch length per side; the width is the only variable, adjusted to sit proportionally across the chest and shoulders.
Care Instructions
Machine washable for simple, ongoing care. Because the tippet is worn frequently, its easy-care fabric is designed to withstand regular washing without losing its shape or crisp black color.
What is a tippet, and how is it different from a stole?
A tippet is a long black scarf worn for non-sacramental services like Morning Prayer, weddings, and funerals, rather than for the Eucharist. Unlike a stole, it's always black and isn't tied to the liturgical color of the season.
Which width should I choose?
The 7-inch width is tailored for men and the 5-inch width for women, so the proportions sit correctly across the chest and shoulders. Both widths are cut to the same 50-inch length per side.
What is this tippet worn over?
It's typically worn over a cassock, surplice, or Geneva gown, draped around the neck and hanging down the front. It can also be worn on its own over simpler clerical attire for less formal services.
How should I care for this tippet?
It's machine washable and made from an easy-care fabric that resists wrinkling. This makes it practical for regular weekly use, not just occasional formal services.
Can this tippet be worn for weddings and funerals?
Yes, the tippet is traditionally worn for exactly these occasions, along with regular Sunday services. Its plain black design keeps it appropriate across a wide range of formal and everyday ministry settings.