Pick between a cotta and a surplice

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Maxwell03

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First of all why make a surplice shorter and then call it something else?
Secondly what’s the difference in significance of it?
Thirdly which would you rather see an altar boy wear?
Fourthly is a cotta even an approved vestment?

And Finally why don’t I see a priest ever wear it?
 
  1. There’s no substantive difference
  2. Just a difference in fit. Nothing important.
  3. It depends- Surplices are way easier to maintain, but cottas, IMO, look way better.
    4)Yes, it is. There is no difference between it and a surplice
  4. My priest does. Just depends on father’s preferences
 
I would ask myself: Why does the clothing of good people matter so much to me?
I am at Mass, therefore my thoughts ought to be at focused on the Lord,

Curiosity and honest questions, notwithstanding. As Max said, no biggie.
God bless.
 
For those who don’t know, a cotta (first pic below) is simply a box pleated surplice, pretty heavily starched. Just because it’s hard to keep clean and nice, its usually worn by seminarians and priests.

Surplices, on the other hand, have no pleats and starch, and can be machine-washed. (second pic below)

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Wait Max just to clarify we call the box one a cassock and ya its hard to starch and iron I mean I almost burnt mine
 
The one on the left in my post you call a cassock ? Not the black, front- button, chin to toe garment?
 
I saw a church in england where the surplices were very long but shouldn’t a surplice only be knee length? That what our priest taught us
 
Well, if it’s church of england, they can do whatever they want.

If it’s a Catholic church that is English, the Church still allows for local custom in matters such as this.
 
I just refer to both of them as “surplice.”

I would like to see altar boys wearing slightly longer cottas, but not almost all the way to the ankles like a proper surplice. I think a good length is just down to the top of the knees.
 
At ankle length, it’s honestly more of an alb than a surplice.
 
I’ve seen some surplices that have gone almost gone down to the ankles. I didn’t like them.
 
In the UK the general ‘rule’ is surplice for choir and cotta for serving (for practical reasons more than anything).
 
Because surplices are like cottas that have a greater length.
 
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