Do they spend all day in their pinnies? Do they really wear twin sets and pearls?
I am pleased to report that I do have the definitive answer for you. Reminded by my friend, Alex, when she commented on the collective noun for clergy wives, I can exclusively reveal that clergy wives wear the following:
- Gilets
- Colourful beaded necklaces
On the ministers’ wives conference I attended, these were the predominant fashion themes. The gilets are obviously driven by the sub-Arctic temperatures in most Vicarages. The necklaces probably point to a love of jewellery and cheerfulness and a lack of budget. I have three gilets and many cheerful necklaces, myself.
I did see a single twin set and pearls outfit, but as there were 115 of us there, I think it can be confidently put down as a random occurence.
On a related note, if you could confidently share with me the correct pronounciation of ‘gilet’, I would be very grateful. I’ve been struggling and think that ‘bodywarmer’ is just too hideous a word for everyday usage.
The Vicar's Wife 
According to wikipedia*, it’s of French origin, and related to a Spanish word starting ch- so probably a soft g and silent t.
*So probably wildly innacurate.
I pronounce ‘it’ jill-ay??? Don’t know if I am correct or not. I am a very common Northerner so I can’t necessarily be trusted! 😉
My husband has been laughing at me and my gilet, and big necklaces. I have a Karrimor gilet that my inlaws bought me for Christmas this year to replace my rather insubstantial ASDA 5 pound version. The new one is toasty warm.
The chunky jewellery has been a love of mine for many years (before husband’s ordination).
Apart from the gilet and necklaces, my uniform consists of jeans and jumpers for everyday wear and leggings and tunics for evening wear! Exciting stuff!
Glad to hear my current wardrobe fits my future role 🙂 We say ‘jeee-ay’ – in fact my 4 year old corrected his friend who referred to it as a ‘puffer’ – ‘No Eddie, you mean jee-ay!’
Thanks all. A special hello to Pewpolisher for his first comment. I always feel a bit posey when I say ‘jeelay’ and wish there was a better English version than bodywarmer or puffer.
how about weskit
for last word on pronunciation see
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/587756-how-do-you-say-gilet-i-ve-never-known-i
It’s not in Daniel Jones English Pronouncing Dictionary (14 th edition), but on the “Paris” analogy, I’d say “gill-et”, not “jill-aye”. “Puffa” is a trade name. “Puffer” is either a West Coast of Scotland small cargo steamer or device for blowing a powder into things.
we’re in Essex and it’s definitely gillet, hard g and t on the end, but slightly losing the definition of the ‘t’ – think Gavin and Stacey.
Suggestion on jewellery – I reckon it might be to do with the place of purchase, Traidcraft and Tearcraft and the like who stock such lovely, cheerful and well sourced jewellery…doesn’t it also mean that we can’t be accused of just wearing black?!
Welcome to the Vicarage, funkymummy. I agree about the black – we don’t want to be mistaken for clergy.
Sadly I am a vicar’s wife who wears a suit 4 days a week. Of course I am not being a Vicar’s Wife then, but I am of course still a vicar’s wife.
On the other days then I am not a gillet sort of person (not good when you have a few pounds to lose…) and not often a colourful necklace sort of person – I’m definitely into earrings, preferably dangly, ideally unusual. I think funkymummy is right about the place of purchase – my current favourite earrings include stylish rectangles made out of recycled plastic bags, and a pair made our of recycled tins. Not traidcraft or tearcraft, but definitely environmentally friendly!
Rector’s Wife – do you not get cold on the days when you do not wear your suit?
I think I saw you in Church yesterday wearing a fetching red number whilst wandering up the nave singing!
Hi Rector’s Wife (and Almost). I too was wondering how you stay warm in your Vicarage. And suits are not very warm at all, in my (way way back long ago) experience. I think earrings count as necklaces, for the purpose of this gross generalisation. And bracelets do too – that’s what I wear when it’s too cold to expose my neck.
Where’s a good place to look for cheap, cheerful necklaces? I think I have decided I want to start wearing more jewellery.
As recommended by the Rector’s Wife, how about Traidcraft or Tearfund’s range?
M&Co, M&S, New Look other places to find chunky jewellery. Traidcraft although worthy is very expensive – they always look a lot bigger in the catalogue too!
Accessorize, M&S, Topshop.
Charity shops are another great place if you are in the right place at the right time…and worthy too! 😉
East is lovely if you are feeling rich!
Good point, vicar’s wife and almost stewardship. I do indeed wear clothes on other days. Always. And they are often warm woollies in the rectory. Although I must say the new central heating (thank you diocese – and thank you old central heating for finally breaking down) does help. As for the fetching red number on a Sunday, that is not obligatory vicar’s wife wear. In fact in a certain previous parish I was most positively not welcome to sing in the choir!!! I think it was because then they couldn’t grumble about the rector. It is lovely to be welcomed here.
As for affordable earrings and necklaces, Sunday’s earrings (cheerful jade green glass – didn’t really go with the fetching red number but never mind…) were made by my bead-loving daughter #2. We had fun choosing beads and she had fun making things (with a bit of help) so that occupied time too. But that’s only really good for older children, when bits of metal and pliers are involved.
Talking of daughters, #1 has just come in, giggled at this, and wants to know if there is a blog for vicar’s daughters anywhere???
Lots of good suggestions, thank you! I shall definitely be on the look out next time I’m in town.
As a “Vicars Husband” who “knows” a few “Vicars Wives” I can honestly say I haven’t seen many “Gillets” knocking about, however, I can confirm that us “clergy husbands” although a fairly rare breed have a very eclectic sense of style which is more akin to camouflage.
This generally stems from the desire to blend into the background when people start asking for volunteers to bake some canapes or help with the creation of the Mother’s day posies…gulp…
Welcome to the Vicarage, ClergyJobs. I’d be wearing camouflage if someone was asking me to help with posies too. Canapes I wouldn’t mind, tho’.
Rector’s Wife – maybe your daughter could start her own blog? Very quick – and it’s free (always a bonus in a clergy household).
No idea what a Vicar’s wife wears but I did know a would-be Vicar’s Wife who wore a very classy black cocktail dress and served a lovely crisp white wine at the opening of a large pumping station in Inverness when such things interested her!!!
Loved the blog.
Ian and Aileen
XXX
Ian and Aileen – how brilliant to see you here at the Vicarage! Gosh, I’d forgotten about serving white wine in the pumping station. I do remember the dress, though – it did some sterling service over the years. Glad you’re enjoying the blog. Come and visit the real Vicarage some time 🙂
Sainsbury’s is great for cheap beads too 🙂
Rectors wife said “As for affordable earrings and necklaces, Sunday’s earrings (cheerful jade green glass – didn’t really go with the fetching red number but never mind…)”
One more colour and you am a traffic light!
Oh no! I SO fit that steriotype! I’m going to have to rethink my wardrobe! I have 4 gilets! Although I do tend to go with ‘bodywarner’, because a) I’m a girl of the 70/80s, b) if pronounced wrong, you just sound common and c) I’m not posh enough to get away with pronouncing it correctly. It just sounds wrong coming from my mouth!
Right! Off to go and buy a new thermal vest!