How do you describe the two habits or sari dresses that Mother Teresa wore in her lifetime as a Missionary Sister or Nun?

Answer 1

The main difference between her first habit and the second one she wore is on the fabric placed on the head. The first habit had one wide darker blue stripe along the front hem which covered her hair at the forehead and both ears. This single border sari was used for about twelve years from August 1948 to 1960. However, parents of the women in the ‘Missionary of Charity’ Order (MC) complained because the single blue border stripe on a white sari was the standard garb of poor sweeper women, e.g. considered a low class in society. The Salesian Bishop Louis Morrow(1939-1969) in Krishnagar diocese had founded the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) on 12 December 1948 and designed a 3-stripe border headdress for his Sisters. Mother Theresa asked him if she could use his design for her Order and he agreed. The ‘Missionary of Charity’ Order (MC) with Mother Theresa then wore a lighter blue 3-stripe sari over simple white fabric as their official habit.

According to Mother Teresa habit: From one stripe sari to 3 stripes (2010) where I found this information, "A Sister’s possessions include: three saris (one to wear, one to wash, one to mend), a pair of sandals, flour sack underclothes (used to be), a crucifix and rosary. They also have a plate and metal spoon, a canvas bag, and prayer book. In cold countries, possessions also include a cardigan. They never wear anything but sandals on their feet."