How would you dress in Middle Ages monk clothes?

Answer 1

Despite the popular myth that monks wore a cross, this was neither permitted or needed by real medieval monks.

Depending on which Order of monks they belonged to, the habit was made of a particular colour of coarse wool cloth: black for Benedictines and Cluniacs (called "black monks"), undyed, unbleached natural wool for Carthusians and Cistercians (often called "white monks").

The underwear for Benedictines consisted of a natural linen shirt reaching almost to the knees, with long, tight sleeves. Underpants were only issued to monks leaving the monastery on some errand, otherwise they were not worn - they were called braies and were long, baggy and made of linen.

Shoes were of black or tan leather (sandals were not worn by monks, despite the popular cartoon version of history) and socks were permitted in cold climates, as were fur undergarments called pelices.

The habit reached almost to the ground and the sleeves were made very wide and far too long - they had to be turned back or bunched up the arm. At certain times the sleeves were allowed to fall to their full length, hiding the hands completely. A hood could be attached directly to the habit, or to an overgarment known as a cowl. The hood had to be worn at specific times.

When doing manual work, monks put on a protective garment called a scapular. This was a long, rectangular piece of wool cloth with a hole in the middle for the head, falling over the habit front and back to keep it clean.

Belts could be of leather, tied in a knot at the front, or of linen cord (without the three knots worn by friars).

The obvious mark of the monk was not any kind of wooden cross but his haircut, which was the Roman tonsure, leaving a bald patch at the crown of the head. Combined with the black or white habit this instantly marked him out as a monk and made all other signs unnecessary.

Many people today are confused by the dress of medieval friars, who were not the same as monks - in fact they were the complete opposite of monks. In general terms they wore grey or brown habits, sandals, rope belts with three knots, and had the Roman tonsure.