The simar is a Roman Catholic garment reserved for the hierarchy and is considered a garment of jurisdiction. It is not a garment of the clerical state but reserved for those with episcopal dignity.

It is similar in design to a cassock, but has a shoulder cape and at one time, double sleeves (which was lined and trimmed in the color of the rank of the wearer with five buttons representing the five wounds of Christ). The simar generally takes the place of the cassock for non-sacred formal wear. On the other hand, it must be reminded that the cassock is still a garment of the clerical state in non-liturgical use and the choir cassock for that in liturgical and para-liturgical uses (solemn ceremonies of the Church Year). The simar is black with colored trim and piping: amaranth red for bishops and archbishops and scarlet for cardinals.

The popes normally wear a white simar, though they have sometimes worn a white cassock. Today it is rare to see a pope wearing a cassock, although Pope Benedict XVI early in his pontificate has made use of the white cassock, he is hardly seen with the cassock and only the simar now.

Roman Catholic vestments | Papal vestments

Simar