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The special clothing worn by people who carry out a worship service are known as vestments. Some of the clothing is like clothes worn nearly 2000 years ago.

Vestments hide fashionable clothing, which might distract people and give all clergy a 'uniform' so everyone knows who they are.

Here are some of the most common vestments.
Alb: is a plain ankle length tunic with long sleeves and a hood. It is normally white or natural colour and is usually worn with a rope cincture (belt). The alb is similar to that which a monk wears. The clergy and their helpers wear an alb. It is their working clothes and expresses humility.
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Cassock: is a plain ankle length tunic with long sleeves but no hood. It is often black in colour and better fitting than the alb.

Cassocks were worn by the clergy and their helpers to show respect. this was because the cassock was the same colour as peoples formal (best) clothes.

Choirs in Church of England churches very often wear cassock and surplice together instead of a choir robe.
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Chasuble: is a circular garment with a hole in the centre. It is usually very ornate (highly decorated). When the wearer holds both arms out straight the chasuble forms a semi-circle when looked at from the front and back. It is only worn by the clergy during Eucharist (Holy Communion) and over other vestments.
Choir Robes: come in a variety of styles and colours. They are worn over ordinary clothes so the choir is all dressed the same, giving them a sort of uniform.
Cincture: is the name given to anything worn round the waist to gather or hold up clothing. It can be made of cloth or rope. If it is made of leather or plastic or is used with ordinary clothing then it is called a belt.
Cope: is a long cloak. On special occasions a colourful one is worn, but for outdoor use in bad weather black is normally worn.

Academic Gown: is also called a Geneva Gown or a robe. It is a loose ankle length gown with large puffy sleeves, designed to be worn without a cincture. Unlike cassocks and albs people who help the clergy do not generally wear them. They come from the gown worn by professors (teachers) in medieval universities. Academic gowns started to be worn in church when a university professor called John Calvin went to church wearing his . Because of this, they are most common in churches of the non-conformist (non Church of England) tradition, like the Baptist Church.
Stole: is a narrow rectangular garment (scarf) that is worn around the neck. It hangs down the front of the wearers' legs and stops just below the knee. It is only wore by the clergy and its colour is the same as the church season.
Surplice: looks very much like a blouse. It is made of a lightweight marterial and is usually white. A surplice has sleeves and it is often trimmed with lace. It is only worn over a cassock.