Divine dressing: why the style set have converted to Catholicism

The election of the new pope has put cassocks back in the spotlight, chiming with fashion’s reverence for all things religious

All eyes have been on the Vatican; the chimney, the smoke, the men who would be pope, the man who now is pope and, among it all, the clothes. It might seem shallow to focus on the vestments, but then the pomp, spectacle – and the ceremonial outfits – are all part of the momentous event.

The election of the new pope also chimes with a mood in fashion, since religious references – ranging from ornate crucifixes and the sacred heart symbol to prayer beads – have been percolating since well before the conclave. Take the hoodies and skirts of the New York label Who Decides War, which are decorated with stained-glass window designs. Or T-shirts from the most recent collection of skatewear brand Palace, adorned with the face of the Virgin Mary.