Note: This information was originally compiled for a friend but later edited and added upon to make into a page on my website. It is my sincerest hope it might add to your love of the things I have come to love in my own life. - Rob

Clergy Stoles

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of the vestment designers and shops I admire let me first use this resource to fill you in on why clergy wear stoles in the first place. Stole derives via the Latin stola, from the Greek τολή, which means garment.

The clergy stole has been found to be in wide use since the 7th century and could be traced to being akin to the Jewish prayer shawl or the identifier of the Roman Empire’s Imperial Officers (weird combo) and had the practical use in early days of being a liturgical napkin of sorts. (That sounds egregious now considering how much vestments can cost)

Today the stole symbolizes holy orders or ordination. There is a priest’s/pastor’s stole is worn around the neck while the deacon’s stole is worn around the shoulder. While the Episcopalian readers will be surprised at this fact, it is common for a variety of both high church and broad church settings. While some people can be super particular I personally love having a variety of stoles for a variety of settings and seasons.

Scripturally speaking vestments have shown since the days of Moses that God expects our best when we show up to talk about God. We do these things because of the tradition we inherited. I’m not opposed to innovation with vestment work as you’ll see below. I do hope in all of this stoles can be for God an offering for praise and to God’s people a sign that God shows beauty to us as God refuses to give up on God’s children.

Stole Directory

Big Box Companies

Cokesbury along with many other denominational outlets have stoles in stock. I recommend looking for sales and other ways you might be financially conscious if that is necessary for your budget.

CM Almy is my favorite of the industry leaders in this section. The stole used in my ordination service was a gift from my grandmother from Almy, and she had them inscribe on the stole the occasion and gift. It was very meaningful and continues to regularly be in my rotation.

Gaspard is the Cadillac and gold standard of the stole market and the most expensive, reserve for yourself and when you’re preaching at a Cathedral or want to have mimosas on the front lawn after Easter.

Bespoke Companies and Designers

Mollie Donihe is someone I met at the Wild Goose Festival in Union Grove, North Carolina. Her stole designs are intricate but have a simplicity in material I really appreciate. I have two stoles from her and look forward to more come next Goose Festival.

Rev. Sarah Locke at Honey Child Quilts is a friend from Jacksonville Florida who made the Pride stoles for me. She is AMAZING and the quality rivals the ones above. Plus you can’t beat her price. if you go with her, she has the etsy shop and does custom orders as well. She’s on Twitter too!

Janet Armstrong of Liturgical Art Stoles designed the stole I wear for baptisms and UNC weddings, she did an incredible job and I love her work.

Though I don’t own a stole from Trevor W. Floyd & Co. I will say that I really love what he did for a tippet seal I had custom made for my tippet.

Emmanuel Church Vestments is a new company to me that does beautiful english fabric stoles. The designer Jenny has an Etsy Page too that I love. One note: she’s in Australia so it takes at least 10-15 days to receive your sole unless you pay more. The benefit here is that the Australian dollar is less than US right now so you get more bang for your buck. Bottom line is that they have AMAZING customer service.

Other Shops I Want to Check Out

Of course J. Wippell & Co. makes Anglicans and Anglican-adjacent folk go crazy with glee but I don’t own any of their product. Note: Unfortunately Wippell announced they will cease operations in 2023. That said, I’m anticipating some sales surrounding their closing that may be worthwhile.

Watts and Co. is another British vestment maker tied closely to those in the Anglican Communion. They have an Instagram account I follow that always makes me happy.

Jeff Wunrow Designs out of St. Louis is really cool. I’d love to get one of their designs some day soon.

With Watts & Co. in mind I also really have enjoyed looking at Ecclesiastical Sewing and though I just learned about them I will most certainly be exploring them more very soon.

Desperate Times, Creative Measures

Amazon has a contingent eBay can have some cool deals some times but most all of them are used or not the best quality.

Etsy has a ton of options ranging from remarkable to less than remarkable. Be sure to look at measurement sizes and get to know what you like in your designs. for stoles.