So then, how are we defining what "stands out"? Evidently there's a certain amount of subjectivity that can enter into these things since tastes can vary, however, the guiding principle by which I will define what "stands out" is what works have a nobility and quality that puts us to mind of some of the masterworks of previous centuries. Many of these are going to be of a more 'ornate' or 'solemn' type of character and that is not by accident as typically these are the sort of thing that stand out amidst the crowd. This shouldn't be understood to mean, however, that there are not also noble and beautiful day-to-day, non-festal vestments; indeed there are and they can be extraordinarily beautiful. But for our purposes today, the focus is tending mainly toward those which include ornamental decoration.
In terms of putting us to mind of some of the older masterworks in this area, admittedly that can be a very difficult bar by which to measure up to as materials today differ and so too do expectations from those commissioning these works about how much they will cost and how long they will take to produce. It wasn't so very long ago when it would have been considered entirely normal to wait years for particularly ornamental vestments to be produced. Nowadays, many customers find a year to be a "long wait" and they frequently will demand "Amazon.com" like prices (which necessarily means utilizing less expensive materials and methods to fit both of these demands). But even with those limitations driven by consumer expectations in mind, there have been some rather noteworthy and qualitative works produced these past few years so let's take a look at just some of them. (Where these products are currently available to order, we have linked to the product beneath each picture).
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| Spanish/Austrian style, embroidered cope by Sacra Domus Aurea |
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| Memento mori inspired requiem set by Sacra Domus Aurea |
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| Replica of the Marian chasuble of the Cure d'Ars by Sacra Domus Aurea |
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| Venetian Renaissance style velvet chasuble, Sacra Domus Aurea |
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| Embroidered full gothic revival style by Sacra Domus Aurea |
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| Gothic revival chasuble with hand embroidered Marian applique by Altarworthy |
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| Medievally inspired, complex orphrey patterened chasuble with Tudor roses by Altarworthy |
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| Gothic revival with embroidered orphreys by Altarworthy |
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| Rose and Silver chasuble by Gammarelli |
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| White and gold embroidered pianeta by Gammarelli |
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| White and gold embroidered pianeta by Gammarelli |
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| Green solemn Mass set with embroidered IHS orphrey panels by Watts & Co. |
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| Phoenix cope with embroidered hood/shield by Watts & Co. |
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| Recreation of an early gothic revival designs by Watts & Co. |
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| Pentecost chasuble by Watts & Co. |
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| Black Requiem chasuble with six-winged seraph by Watts & Co. |
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| Authentic styled choir fascia "fiocchi" by Sacra Indumenta. |
