Carmelite is the name of a religious order of friars which was founded in the 12th century and took its name from Mount Carmel in Syria, where members claimed their association originated at the time of the Old Testament prophet Elijah.
They are a mendicant order, in other words they travelled and preached and begged. The habit of Carmelites is a white cloak over a black or brown tunic. Their popular name is 'Whitefriars'.