Actually, there are blogs (of course) devoted to clerical haberdashery, and most of the good Italian houses have an online presence now. FYI, American clergy are considered very bad dressers. Most of them would say that they are more concerned with their flock and “social justice”, etc., than with “fashion”, but Vaticanisti bloggers have noted that, for example, most African priests (from all different countries) will make a great effort to be well-dressed no matter the situation in their locality/country. Partially this is to maintain authority as a community leader, and partially this is to give hope to and provide an example to the local people. For some reason, other peoples really understand the power of clothes.

Hmph. Obviously a little bugbear of mine. And most of the men in this ordination were Italians, so of course were perfectly and properly dressed. But let’s face it, most American men, whatever their state in life, can’t be bothered to dress properly, unless a woman’s doing the buying - and for Catholic clergy, unless their mother/sister/etc. is buying for them, well . . .

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CYzRL9YIswQ

I noticed this picture before, and thought how it shows the advantage of the loafer when one is laying prostrate before God. The shoelaces on the oxford at the end are a bit distracting - and there is always the concern that one may trip and fall in front of the Holy Father due to a loose lace.