On the day of vestition, the day the Sisters receive the religious habit of the Order of Preachers, a sign of our consecration to God and witness to poverty, we are vested with a white tunic, a black belt with a rosary attached, a white scapular, a veil, and cappa. Symbolically, black reminds us that we have been called from the death valley of sin toward a life of intensified grace in Christ (white). The visible habit furthermore reflects the simplicity of life, innocence, renunciation, penance and mortification, a hidden life in Christ.
 
Tunic
The Sisters inherited the tunic, a simple full body one-piece garment from shoulder to feet, commonly worn during the Middle Ages. St. Dominic de Guzman, prior to establishing the Order of Preachers, was a member of the Cathedral Canons, men who lived and celebrated the liturgy in common. The canons donned the white tunic like the Cistercians and Carthusians to distinguish them from the Benedictines who wore black. Originally the tunics were made from uncombed and unbleached wool, in keeping with the vow of poverty, a life of simplicity, and innocence and to identify themselves with the peasant class. Putting on the tunic, the Sisters quietly recite:
O Lord, clothe me in the nuptial robe of charity, purity, and virginity that I may one day stand before your throne of judgment. 
 
Belt
Just as the Angelic Doctor of the Church, Saint Thomas Aquinas was girded in purity his entire life, Dominicans wear the belt to gird themselves each day in justice and chastity. Through the intercessions of St. Thomas, the Sisters, while fastening the belt, pray:
Gird me, O Almighty God, with the cincture of justice and the cord of purity that I may receive the crown of heaven.
 
Rosary
Hanging from the left side of the cincture or belt is the rosary. It is the emblem of prayer. The Sisters’ rosaries are attached to the belt, therefore, after the rosary belt is fastened, this prayer is offered as they reverence the crucifix:
Lord Jesus Christ, whom I love with my whole heart, grant me the courage and joy as I embrace my cross in following your footsteps to Golgotha. 

Scapular
Traditionally, the most important piece of the habit however, is the scapular. The scapular is a piece of cloth about the width of the breast from shoulder to shoulder with a middle opening for the head. The length is to the ankle in the front and back. The scapular replaces the surplice and distinguishes the Dominicans from the Canon Regulars. Tradition has it that it was Our Lady who gave the scapular as a sign of her maternal protection and tender love for the Order of Preachers. As the scapular is put on, this prayer is said:
Merciful Father, You were obedient unto death, death on the cross. Grant me humility of the mind and perfect obedience of the heart. 
 
Veil
The Sisters wear a black veil with a thin white trimming as a sign of her renunciation to the world.
Gracious God, veil me with your redemption and grant me the strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and evil. Mary, most merciful and Holy Father Saint Dominic, protect me now and in the hour of death. Amen.
 
Cappa or Mantle
On special occasions, ie. Days of Profession, Triduum, Funeral of the Sisters, etc., the Sisters wear the long black cloak, cappa magna, equal in length to the tunic. Though the tunic, the purity of life is worn, as human beings and sinners, the Sisters are not exempt from temptations and sins; therefore, the Sisters wear the black mantle reminds them of the necessity for penance.
We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God, do not despise our prayers in our necessity, but free us from all peril, O Blessed Virgin. Amen.