Description
The everyday robe of the range
The Cloistera Classic Monk Habit Robe is shaped around an honest question: what does a brother wear most days of the year? Not the high feast, not the silent hermitage — the ordinary day with its Office, its work, its meals, its small mercies. The answer is a habit clean enough for chapel, sturdy enough for the workroom, and unfussy enough that no one notices it.
Fabric and feel
Mid-weight cotton-wool blend in matte black. It is a touch cooler than the Fraternus shell and a touch firmer than the Pauperis twill — deliberately middle-ground. Holds shape after washing, presses if needed, and develops a soft hand over the first year of regular wear.
Construction details
Clean set-in cowl with a self-faced neckline. Deep sleeves cut wide enough for prayer position and tapered enough not to catch on furniture. Two side seam pockets, with bartacks at the openings. Reinforced shoulder seams. Single-fold ankle-length hem. Cincture loops set at the natural waist.
Who it is for
Monastic and quasi-monastic communities, religious-order households, oblates with a daily rule, and clergy in monastic-affiliated parishes. Most communities who order the Cloistera also keep a Discipulus or Fraternus in their wardrobe for solemn days, and many keep a Pauperis for outdoor work.
SIZING AND MADE-TO-MEASURE
Standard sizes: US chest 36–54, in Regular, Tall, and Short height runs. Body length and sleeve length adjust automatically with the height run. Made-to-measure available for chest, shoulder, sleeve, body length, cowl depth, and pocket placement. Lead time for MTM orders is 4–6 weeks from approved measurements.
PRICING AND VARIATIONS (USD)
Standard size: $279
Extended size (chest 52–54): $309
Made-to-measure: $419
Optional upgrades: oat or undyed cream colour +$0 (substitution), heavier 11oz shell +$25, matching cincture +$35, embroidered house initials +$25
FAQ’s
Q: Will the Cloistera hold up to daily wear?
A: Yes. It is the habit in our range built specifically for everyday rotation, with reinforced shoulder seams, bartacked pockets, and a cloth chosen for wash-and-wear stability.
Q: Is the cowl warm enough for cold-chapel winters?
A: The cowl is single-layer rather than lined. Communities in colder climates often pair it with the Fraternus for the winter Office and keep the Cloistera for indoor working hours.
Q: Can I order this in a colour other than black?
A: Yes — oat and undyed cream are available as no-cost substitutions; please note your colour at order.
