What's It Like To Wear A Habit In Hot Weather?

[Shana]

It's a very hot day where I live and it made me wonder what's it like to wear a habit in hot weather? Especially a full, traditional black one. Just curious because I'm discerning to be a sister and if I were to become a sister I'd be wearing a habit so I was just curious.

[laetitia crucis]

Well, even though my habit wasn't black (though it was definitely "traditional", except that we didn't wear wimples), I feel my answer might as well apply to black habits, too: [b]It's HOT[/b].

However, after a while I really did get used to it. (Honest!) Although I will admit that the first summer in the habit was a little rough. Once you make it past that summer... it's all good. [IMG]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/Random/nunemoticon.gif[/IMG]

Oddly enough, I now find that I prefer longer, loose-fitted sleeves over a short sleeved shirt any day. Same goes for choosing trousers/pants over shorts, and longer ankle-length skirts over shorter skirts.

I get colder much more easily than I did before I entered the convent, so much so that I usually have a light jacket on when I go to stores or even while in an air conditioned car.

[OnlySunshine]

I know that some orders create habits specifically for hotter climates. There was one article I read about a nun who ran a marathon and her habit was made of some kind of jogging material. I've never worn a habit, but I've often wondered how it is wearing it in hotter temperatures too.

[TeresaBenedicta]

What does one wear under a habit during the summer? Or in general? I've always wondered that too.

[CatherineM]

The Filipino nuns who go to our parish have switched to their white habits for summer. In winter they wear a dark blue. One wears Harley Davidson boots under her habit in winter. She's only 4'8" tall, so quite dramatic.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='06 July 2010 - 07:27 PM' timestamp='1278458878' post='2138719']
What does one wear under a habit during the summer? Or in general? I've always wondered that too.
[/quote]

I can only speak for my own experience in my former community, though I'd be curious know about others' random habit info, too!

We wore a simple calf-length underskirt all year round, usually this was made from scrap habit material -- cotton/polyester blend. Sisters normally wore t-shirts in the warmer months (while some additionally wore shorts under their underskirts, too). There were also a few Sisters that just wore their habit with their underskirt and normal undergarments without the t-shirt. Socks were optional. (Unless it's a major feast day and you're in the novitiate -- then you have to wear black socks with polished black shoes. Professed Sisters could still wear sandals w/o socks on major feast days, unless you were renewing your vows or something of that nature.)

In the cooler months, we wore long-sleeved shirts, and several of us wore long underwear ("long johns"/thermals) in the winter with tall black socks. Sometimes multiple layers of socks.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='06 July 2010 - 08:56 PM' timestamp='1278460590' post='2138735']
I can only speak for my own experience in my former community, though I'd be curious know about others' random habit info, too!

We wore a simple calf-length underskirt all year round, usually this was made from scrap habit material -- cotton/polyester blend. Sisters normally wore t-shirts in the warmer months [b](while some additionally wore shorts under their underskirts, too).[/b] There were also a few Sisters that just wore their habit with their underskirt and normal undergarments without the t-shirt. Socks were optional. (Unless it's a major feast day and you're in the novitiate -- then you have to wear black socks with polished black shoes. Professed Sisters could still wear sandals w/o socks on major feast days, unless you were renewing your vows or something of that nature.)

In the cooler months, we wore long-sleeved shirts, and several of us wore long underwear ("long johns"/thermals) in the winter with tall black socks. Sometimes multiple layers of socks.
[/quote]

Yay for shorts underneath skirts!! Haha!! I thought I was the only oddball that did that. I do it whenever the skirt allows for it.

Ooooh, polished black shoes. That sounds intimidating!!

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='06 July 2010 - 08:23 PM' timestamp='1278462239' post='2138748']
Yay for shorts underneath skirts!! Haha!! I thought I was the only oddball that did that. I do it whenever the skirt allows for it.
[/quote]

I thought I was the only one that did that, too! Haha! Needless to say, not many of us did that, but I was assured that I was not alone in that "oddball"-ness when I entered the convent.


[quote name='TeresaBenedicta']Ooooh, polished black shoes. That sounds intimidating!!
[/quote]

It actually reminded me of having to polish my black marching band shoes before competitions!

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='06 July 2010 - 09:29 PM' timestamp='1278462588' post='2138751']
I thought I was the only one that did that, too! Haha! Needless to say, not many of us did that, but I was assured that I was not alone in that "oddball"-ness when I entered the convent. [/quote]

So what did you take with you, in regards to lay clothing? Shorts, tee-shirts, long-johns (I've discarded my long-johns for my under-armour pants and longsleeves... softball in the northwest required it!!), pajamas... I feel like I'd have just about the same amount of clothes in the convent as I do at home (minus a few duplicates, I'm sure)... Granted I don't own a lot of clothing as it is.



[quote]
It actually reminded me of having to polish my black marching band shoes before competitions!
[/quote]

We never polished the band shoes, although looking back, I'm not sure why not!! Maybe because they were always covered by our spats (buttons on the outside, freshman!).

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='06 July 2010 - 08:29 PM' timestamp='1278462588' post='2138751']
I thought I was the only one that did that, too! Haha! Needless to say, not many of us did that, but I was assured that I was not alone in that "oddball"-ness when I entered the convent.

[/quote]

Yay for shorts under skirts!

I have pettipants that I wear under skirts and dresses that my Nana bought me a few years ago. I used to have another one when I was younger, but I outgrew it and I was desperate for another one. I had to resort to wearing pj shorts underneath my skirts because they were the only kind that weren't bulky or thick. I talked to my Nana about it because she bought the first one I had and I didn't know where she got it. I've only seen skirt-style slips. She bought me another long one and I LOVE it! I hope to bring a few to the convent with me when I join one day (God-willing). They look like this:

[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SYNERV71L._AA300_.jpg[/img]

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='06 July 2010 - 08:37 PM' timestamp='1278463052' post='2138755']
So what did you take with you, in regards to lay clothing? Shorts, tee-shirts, long-johns (I've discarded my long-johns for my under-armour pants and longsleeves... softball in the northwest required it!!), pajamas... I feel like I'd have just about the same amount of clothes in the convent as I do at home (minus a few duplicates, I'm sure)... Granted I don't own a lot of clothing as it is.[/quote]

The novice mistress had given me a verbal list (apparently, they never had an "official Postulant Supplies" list until my class since just about all of us asked for a list ) that included "pajamas", and "sports clothes". So, for "sports" clothes, I brought two or three pairs of jogging pants (the non-"swooshy" type) and probably three to five t-shirts. The list itself was very non-specific, so I had a somewhat difficult time knowing exactly what to bring. However, once I got there, if we were missing something we could either have our parents (or whoever else we knew) mail missing articles of clothing to us, or (more often than not) we would chose from the "Caritas box/closet" -- this usually contained extra clothes that Sisters would receive from family/friends that they didn't need.

We also acquired several t-shirts from various events, like our youth festivals/camps and WYDs.

For our month-long summer camping/hiking excursion several Sisters had t-shirts, shorts, and jogging pants for that. And lots of bandanas and baseball caps. Oh, and I'm pretty sure "the list" listed "swimsuit", too. (Which the Sisters always wore a dark shirt over top and dark shorts underneath when we went swimming in the summer.)

I was actually pretty surprised at how much lay clothing I had in the convent. Granted, it was just enough to fill at least one big dresser drawer.

Hmmm... from what I can remember, here's what our postulant "list" included:

- 2 short-sleeved white blouses
- 2 long-sleeved white blouses
- undershirts
- undergarments (not color specific)
- black socks
- tennis shoes
- black or brown closed-toe casual dress shoes
- black or brown sandals (with heel strap)
- black fleece
- black sweater
- winter coat (preferably dark color)
- sports clothes
- pajamas
- Imitation of Christ
- Bible
- Christian Prayer (although several of my classmates already had the 4-volume LOTH)
- True Devotion (de Montfort)

....I think that was all.

After you arrived, you had to show Mother (the Novice Mistress) all that you had brought with you. She would give the "okay" if you could keep all that you brought, and put whatever else you didn't need in "Caritas". Or if it could be used as a future gift (for a visiting Sister, priest, etc) then that would be put in a special place as well. (That's what happened to a beautiful pix one of my friends got for me while visiting the Vatican and gave to me as a "going away" present, and this awesome 20-decade black onyx rosary my priest back home had given me as a "going away" present... That made me sad. Anyhoo, I guess that was a [i]really [/i]quick way to learn detachment, right? )

We could also bring various books if they were approved by the Novice Mistress. Ah, and of course (even though it wasn't on "the list") we brought our own toothbrush and hair brush.

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta']We never polished the band shoes, although looking back, I'm not sure why not!! Maybe because they were always covered by our spats (buttons on the outside, freshman!).
[/quote]

We didn't have spats... that might have been nice, and definitely would have saved time!

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='06 July 2010 - 08:50 PM' timestamp='1278463823' post='2138763']
Yay for shorts under skirts!

I have pettipants that I wear under skirts and dresses that my Nana bought me a few years ago. I used to have another one when I was younger, but I outgrew it and I was desperate for another one. I had to resort to wearing pj shorts underneath my skirts because they were the only kind that weren't bulky or thick. I talked to my Nana about it because she bought the first one I had and I didn't know where she got it. I've only seen skirt-style slips. She bought me another long one and I LOVE it! I hope to bring a few to the convent with me when I join one day (God-willing). They look like this:

[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SYNERV71L._AA300_.jpg[/img]
[/quote]



Oh my goodness -- I love those!!! I want!

Currently, I'm actually wearing pj shorts under my skirt today. Hahaha! Now that I know these pettipants exist I'll be on the hunt! HOW AWESOME!!!

Seriously, I think we need a "high five" emoticon. In it's place, I'll be using this one for now:

[DameAgnes]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='06 July 2010 - 08:50 PM' timestamp='1278463823' post='2138763']
Yay for shorts under skirts!

I have pettipants that I wear under skirts and dresses that my Nana bought me a few years ago. I used to have another one when I was younger, but I outgrew it and I was desperate for another one. I had to resort to wearing pj shorts underneath my skirts because they were the only kind that weren't bulky or thick. I talked to my Nana about it because she bought the first one I had and I didn't know where she got it. I've only seen skirt-style slips. She bought me another long one and I LOVE it! I hope to bring a few to the convent with me when I join one day (God-willing). They look like this:

[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SYNERV71L._AA300_.jpg[/img]
[/quote]

You can get those pettipants at Amazon. Wonderful under a long skirt in summer.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='DameAgnes' date='06 July 2010 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1278465640' post='2138782']
You can get those pettipants at Amazon. Wonderful under a long skirt in summer.
[/quote]

Oooooo.... thanks for the heads up, DameAgnes!

Looking at them now -- And they're not too pricey!!!

Thank you so much!!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='06 July 2010 - 09:23 PM' timestamp='1278465782' post='2138784']
Oooooo.... thanks for the heads up, DameAgnes!

Looking at them now -- And they're not too pricey!!!

Thank you so much!!
[/quote]


Kohls has them on sale, too! I'll be buying some on Thursday when I get paid!

[url="http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/product_page_multiple.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524870892403&pfx=pfx_shopcompare&cid=shopping3&mr:trackingCode=C6755AAD-E5BF-DE11-974B-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA"]Petti Pants at Kohls[/url]

Edited July 7, 2010 by MaterMisericordiae

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

Even though I will not be wearing a habit anytime soon (or ever, I expect), I've always been curious about what nuns/Sisters wore under their habits, but have never had anyone to ask. I had read that in pre-Vatican II days with the traditional, more elaborate habits, some Orders wore several layers of petticoats under their habits. (No one ever specified what was worn on top.)

Although I live across the street from a convent (that's what they call it), "my" Sisters wear a modified habit, and I would never think to ask an 80-year old Sister what she wore under her habit. Sister Helen and I did discuss the types of clothes they wear over their habits in winter, because I found some nice, comfortable snow boots at LandsEnd for $20, and I wanted to buy a pair for Sister Helen--not only to keep her feet warmer, but also because they had a nice tread on the bottom so she'd be less likely to slip. She was very hesitant, so I showed her the catalog to prove to her that the boots were only $20, and she could see that they were very simple. (Although I'm pretty sure she asked permission before she accepted the gift from me.) She loves to walk, even in winter. I laugh, because another friend gave her a cane with a spiked end for walking on snow/ice. So be careful, even if you see a harmless looking elderly Sister--she may be carrying a lethal weapon.

FYI--Even though the Sisters wear modified habits, they are black wool, and so the Sisters have the option of wearing a light blue "summer habit" that looks like it's made of cotton or a cotton blend. The Sisters in warmer climates (like the Phillipines) wear white or light-colored habits year-round, even white veils (I think--don't hold me to that. Nursing sisters also wear white veils, so the white veils I saw in pictures may have been because they were nursing Sisters.)

One thing that impressed me about ths Order with regard to the vow of poverty, is that even though both provincial centers in the U.S. are in cold climates, there is no "standard" winter coat or cape given to the Sisters. Instead, the Sisters depend entirely on donations for coats, and if they need a warm coat, they go through the donated coats, and find the one that fits best. As a result, even though most of the Sisters I've seen seem to have found a black coat to wear, and black is the preferred color, there is not a strict rule that the coat has to be black. I've never seen a Sister in a brightly colored winter coat, but I have seen Sisters wearing coats in other dark or muted colors.

I've gotten off-topic (as usual). If anyone else who has worn the habit feels comfortable giving more detail on the habit, it sounds as if many of us would be interested. Although in my case, it is simply curiosity, I would think that it would be of legitimate interest for those who are planning to enter religious life, but they might feel uncomfortable asking.

One thing I've wondered about is whether it is uncomfortable to wear a wimple (or is it "guimpe"). The starched wimples worn by some Orders look very uncomfortable, but perhaps they aren't.

[Hilde]

MG someone else who wears pettipants!!! I wear a longer version with elastic and frills on the bottom. Under skirts or under long tunics that aren't tops but aren't dresses either. We call them mamelukker. Even word is funny. So is pantaloons.

Heat is actually something I'm not the biggest fan of, and I've been considering visiting i.e the nashville dominicans. But me living in the deep south? I'd like to see that I'd be like a polar bear in sahara.

I wonder if there's situations when they also can be too cold. But I've seen some dominican friars here wear some kind of wool habit. That's cool imo.

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='07 July 2010 - 05:15 AM' timestamp='1278468919' post='2138795']
Even though I will not be wearing a habit anytime soon (or ever, I expect), I've always been curious about what nuns/Sisters wore under their habits, but have never had anyone to ask. I had read that in pre-Vatican II days with the traditional, more elaborate habits, some Orders wore several layers of petticoats under their habits. (No one ever specified what was worn on top.)

[/quote] "Not more than necessary" is the answer i got from a monk and some seminarians. Somehow inappropriate discussion seem to happen around me.

Edited July 7, 2010 by Hilde

[MissScripture]

[quote name='Hilde' date='06 July 2010 - 10:42 PM' timestamp='1278470544' post='2138804']
MG someone else who wears pettipants!!! I wear a longer version with elastic and frills on the bottom. Under skirts or under long tunics that aren't tops but aren't dresses either. We call them mamelukker. Even word is funny. So is pantaloons.

Heat is actually something I'm not the biggest fan of, and I've been considering visiting i.e the nashville dominicans. But me living in the deep south? I'd like to see that I'd be like a polar bear in sahara.

I wonder if there's situations when they also can be too cold. But I've seen some dominican friars here wear some kind of wool habit. That's cool imo.

"Not more than necessary" is the answer i got from a monk and some seminarians. Somehow inappropriate discussion seem to happen around me.
[/quote]
I know the Nashville Dominicans have winter jackets and long underwear. They are in the north-ish part of TN, and they do get a little bit of snow. Plus some of their missions are up north (like in MN...where they get a lot of snow. lol).

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Hilde' date='06 July 2010 - 09:42 PM' timestamp='1278470544' post='2138804']
Heat is actually something I'm not the biggest fan of, and I've been considering visiting i.e the nashville dominicans. But me living in the deep south? I'd like to see that [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/lol.gif[/img] I'd be like a polar bear in sahara.

[/quote]

There is almost nowhere in the U.S., except perhaps the Pacific Northwest along the ocean, or Alaska, where you won't experience at least some serious summer heat. One difference, however, between various parts of the U.S. is whether the temperature cools down at night. In most of California, for example, the temperature cools down at night, and it isn't as humid during the day. But, in the California Central Valley, for example, the daytime weather will probably be in the 90's/100's all summer. The parts of California along the ocean have more temperate weather, and parts of San Francisco can be downright cold in summer. Mark Twain is rumored to have said something to the effect that the worst winter he ever spent was July in San Francisco. But, SF is built on hills, it has a number of microclimates, and it might be warm in one part of the city and very cool in another. People think of California as being warm and with lots of sunshine everywhere, but, in fact, it has a very wide variety of climates.

Here in the Midwest, it doesn't cool down at night in summer, and is more humid. But, Chicago weather is actually not bad most summers, and air conditioning is almost universal. (Unfortunately, this summer so far is too warm for my taste. ) But, last summer and the summer before, I teased my family that the summer weather was better in Chicago than in the SF Bay Area.

Note: Nashville may not be the "deep south" but it is quite warm there in the summer. The tradeoff, of course, is that Nashville is milder in the winter. Also, the Nashville Dominicans send Sisters to schools all over the U.S., so you can't predict where you will end up living. But, I suspect this is also true for many (most?) active Orders.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='07 July 2010 - 12:15 AM' timestamp='1278472534' post='2138811']
[b]There is almost nowhere in the U.S., except perhaps the Pacific Northwest along the ocean, or Alaska, where you won't experience at least some serious summer heat.[/b] One difference, however, between various parts of the U.S. is whether the temperature cools down at night. In most of California, for example, the temperature cools down at night, and it isn't as humid during the day. But, in the California Central Valley, for example, the daytime weather will probably be in the 90's/100's all summer. The parts of California along the ocean have more temperate weather, and parts of San Francisco can be downright cold in summer. Mark Twain is rumored to have said something to the effect that the worst winter he ever spent was July in San Francisco. But, SF is built on hills, it has a number of microclimates, and it might be warm in one part of the city and very cool in another. People think of California as being warm and with lots of sunshine everywhere, but, in fact, it has a very wide variety of climates.

Here in the Midwest, it doesn't cool down at night in summer, and is more humid. But, Chicago weather is actually not bad most summers, and air conditioning is almost universal. (Unfortunately, this summer so far is too warm for my taste. ) But, last summer and the summer before, I teased my family that the summer weather was better in Chicago than in the SF Bay Area.

Note: Nashville may not be the "deep south" but it is quite warm there in the summer. The tradeoff, of course, is that Nashville is milder in the winter. Also, the Nashville Dominicans send Sisters to schools all over the U.S., so you can't predict where you will end up living. But, I suspect this is also true for many (most?) active Orders.
[/quote]

Yup, quite true. Although, even here it does get hot at times. For instance, today we got up to 90 degrees. We might get a week or so of 100 degree weather (not necessarily all at the same time, but it could be). Now, I don't live right on the coast, but I am on the rainforest side of the state. (Most people don't know that Washington and Oregon are split by the Cascade Mountain Range, rain forest on the West side and desert on the East.) But right on the ocean it probably gets up to the upper 80s in the dead of the summer.

I do have to admit... of all the places to wear the habit, the Pacific Northwest would be prime. Minus the rain that hounds us 80% of the year.