A rochet is a white vestment generally worn by a Roman Catholic or Anglican bishop in choir dress. It is unknown in the Eastern churches. The rochet in its Roman form is similar to a surplice, except that the sleeves are narrower. In its Anglican form it is a descendant of the traditional albs worn by deacons and priests. In the Roman Catholic tradition, the rochet comes below the knee and its sleeves and hem are sometimes made of lace; in the Anglican tradition, the rochet comes down almost to the hem of the cassock and its sleeves are gathered at the wrist.
A white rochet with lace elements to be work over a cassock and under a chimere.
Thomas Schoen 1903, OCist
Cardinal Godfried Danneels wearing scarlet with 3 bishops wearing purple. Their rochets are in white.
Canons in Bruges
Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religion, especially by Eastern Churches, Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans. Many other groups also make use of liturgical garments; among the Reformed (Calvinist) Churches this was a point of controversy in the Protestant Reformation and sometimes since, in particular during the ritualist controversies in the Church of England in the 19th century.
Clergy of various ranks in vestments at a Mass according to the Neo-Gallican Rite of Versailles Elevation of the chalice.
Illustration of liturgical garments from Acta Eruditorum, 1713
Ornate vestments which are used by the Catholic clergy: A chasuble, dalmatic, cope, and a biretta
Gold-embroidered epitrachilion (stole) dating from 1600, in the Benaki Museum, Athens