he mitre (sometimes also spelled miter), from the Greek μίτρα, "headband" or "turban", is a type of headgear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox churches, Eastern Catholic Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

In its modern form in Western Christianity, the mitre is a tall folding cap, consisting of two similar parts (the front and back) rising to a peak and sewn together at the sides. Two short lappets always hang down from the back.
The evolution of the mitre, from the Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)

In the Catholic Church, the right to wear the mitre is confined by Canon law to bishops and to abbots, as it appears in the ceremony of consecration of a bishop and blessing of an abbot. Cardinals are now normally supposed to be bishops (since the time of Pope John XXIII), but even cardinals who are not bishops and who have been given special permission by the pope to decline consecration as bishops may wear the mitre. Other prelates have been granted the use of the mitre by special privilege, but this is no longer done. Former distinctions between "mitred abbots" and "non-mitred abbots" have been abolished.

Three types of mitres are worn by Roman Catholic clergy for different occasions:

The simplex ('simple', referring to the materials used) is made of undecorated white linen or silk and its white lappets traditionally end in red fringes. It is worn most notably at funerals, on Good Friday and by concelebrant bishops at a Mass. Cardinals in the presence of the Pope wear a mitre of white linen damask.
    
The pretiosa ('precious') is decorated with precious stones and gold and worn on Sundays and feast days. This type of mitre is rarely decorated with precious stones today, and the designs have become more varied, simple and original, often merely being in the liturgical color of the day.
    
The auriphrygiata is of plain gold cloth or white silk with gold, silver or coloured embroidered bands; when seen today it is usually worn by bishops when they preside at the celebration of the sacraments.

The proper color of a mitre is always white, although in liturgical usage white also includes vestments made from gold and silver fabrics.

The embroidered bands and other ornaments which adorn a miter and the lappets may be of other colors and often are.

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We offer below a range of extremely high quality Mitres made from the finest in Italian fabrics including superb soft wools and luxury silks.  Embroidery is of the best available

standard and is intricately applied to the Mitres (where applicable) to give a truly wonderful garment that will last for many years.

Lead time on made to order/measure Mitres is circa 4 weeks.

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