What do Catholic nuns wear?

Roman Catholic nuns generally wear either some form of habit or modest street clothes. Historically, habits have been worn to signify a nun's commitment to the Church and the spiritual life. The design of the habit can vary depending on the nun's chosen order.

A nun's habit consists of several pieces, including a tunic, belt, coif, scapular and veil. Common colors for the habit include black, white and blue. Starting with Vatican II in 1962, habits are not required by nuns. Some orders choose to wear street clothes, sometimes with a veil. Other orders, such as the Religious Sisters of Mercy in Alma, MI may design their own habits.