The Church of Sant’Agostino

The Habit of Augustinian Nuns

The habit worn by Augustinian nuns, a sign of poverty, chastity, modesty and decorum, differed from country to country and convent to convent, but it usually consisted of:

 

-a full-length, high-necked loose black wool tunic, cinched at the waist with a belt called a cincture
-a black wool scapular hanging down both in front and in back
-linen collars, neither pleated nor transparent, sewn to the tunic
-a white linen band across the forehead, which served as a base for pinning the veil
-a veil of thick black wool which covered the entire face, because the nuns could not be seen by men
-high top leather shoes with a cork sole and black laces

Moreover, the Augustinian nuns had to wear their hair short, so that it would not stick out from under the band or collar.

 

  • Habit of Augustinian Nuns.