Ok.  I am going to put in my two cents.  I used to think why should any priest or nun bother wearing a cassock with collar or habit outside of church?

However, as part of a mission for change in our church, I actually went out into the city's common, where I live and proclaimed the Gospel, literally, reading aloud for the world, while wearing the old style (dress-like) cassock & collar, during Holy Week, for the last 3 years.  

I thought because I am a women, I would get called names, or people would think I am crazy or just avoid me.  I was instead surprised to find, people often thanked me, stopped on the park bench in front of me & listened to several chapters.  At the same time, any stranger needing any kind of help, directions, a little money, advice or other misc questions, went out of their way to ask me.  This was true whether reading or taking a break.  It was like the cloths meant I would help them & it brought their guard down.  Cassock even on a RC woman meant servant.