Brignogan-Plage. Groupe de femmes en costume de fête (1890-1910)
Some Catholics are fascinated by it.
Many Catholics lament the abandonment of the religious habit for women religious in active life. Some have retained a modified habit, or a traditional monastic style with a modified veil, some have not. However, early foundresses often adapted the traditional 'fashion' of women's clothing of their time and place. An unique view of that in our day would of course be the Missionaries of Charity who adopted the Indian sari.
The photo above demonstrates the formal feast-day dress for late 19th century women of Brignogan-Plage in Brittany. It could easily translate into religious garb if the dress was changed to black or blue serge, and perhaps even a veil covering the bonnet or coif.
Just a bit of trivia for those who seem to think women religious should return to wearing 19th century costumes.
That said, the Little Sisters of the Poor have a very dignified modified habit ...
Old habit.
New habit.
