SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A sleeveless version of the sacred underwear worn by members of Salt Lake City. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ” disappeared from stores on its first day of release in the United States, marking a momentous occasion for many women of faith who say they no longer need to sacrifice comfort to feel close to God.
Social media was abuzz Tuesday with photos of long lines of mostly women waiting for a chance to enter specialty clothing stores to try on new items.
The enthusiasm for this new garment, which members of the church commonly known as the Mormon Church wear under their modest street clothes, isn’t just about any outfit that could more easily be worn over a tank top. Introducing more breathable fabrics and styles to typical two-piece white clothing is important, especially for people who have medical reasons that make it difficult to wear them or who live in warmer climates.
“I think it’s great that they are considering women’s needs,” said Salt Lake City church member Amanda Shirley, who was shopping for clothing Tuesday. She knows women who struggle with old cotton and polyester clothing due to health issues, including gynecological issues.
Although the symbolism of a garment is more important to Shirley than its comfort, she is excited about more breathable alternatives. She considers the church’s introduction of new clothing “progressive.”
The church, which has more than 17 million members worldwide, has an all-male priesthood. top leader All are men. The highest-ranking women serve on councils with several tiers of leadership below the all-male groups.
Although ridiculed by outsiders, the garment is worn by men and women alike and rivals the sacred vestments of other religions. Kathleen Flake, a former professor of Mormon studies at the University of Virginia, said they remind Latter-day Saints who go to the temple of the covenants of obedience, sacrifice, sexual purity and consecration.
Flake said the new clothing was designed by a group that included men and women within the church. They developed these styles over the past two years or so in consultation with major lingerie manufacturers, she said.
“They’ve essentially been trying to make underwear for the world,” Flake said. “The goal here was to make people feel comfortable practicing this aspect of their religion.”
Long lines for new clothing at Utah store
In the church’s home state of Utah, the lines for new clothing resembled those for Black Friday sales, state Sen. Mike McKell said in a post on X.
On Tuesday afternoon, a line of mostly women carrying blue shopping carts snaked through the church-affiliated Deseret Bookstore in Salt Lake City’s Sugarhouse neighborhood. By early in the day, there was a line out the door.
New clothing costs about $4 to $5 each. Walking down the line with a tape measure, the employee happily explained to customers about the new stretch fabric made from spandex, which he said had a cooling effect. A sign at the store’s checkout counter said customers were limited to 20 items per person to ensure as many shoppers as possible could purchase. As of 3 p.m., the store was out of small and extra-small sizes.
When asked why she was excited about the new clothing, one shopper, Janae Skinner, simply replied, “Because I sweat a lot.”
Although there are ways to buy new clothing online, many shoppers told The Associated Press they wanted the chance to try on the latest styles and sizes before making a purchase.
Clothes change with the times
Flake, a longtime Mormon expert, said the church has made many stylistic changes to temple clothing throughout its history simply because the way people dress has changed. This latest change has also been a long time coming, she said, because the faith is truly global and must respond to all who practice it.
“This change demonstrates the church’s responsiveness to providing comfortable clothing for as many people as possible,” Flake said.
It’s also why the garment was first introduced as a more practical necessity, such as in hot climates or regions where women typically wore dresses. Sleeveless tops, skirted bottoms and one-piece shifts were already available in Africa and the Philippines, according to the church’s online store.
Daniel Walker rushed to buy new clothes before leaving for missionary training on Wednesday. He said he was excited to try out a new tank top style that he hopes will be more comfortable in the warmer months while on duty in Roseville, California. He said his current clothes may be hot, but he’s gotten used to it.
He said a friend who served a mission in Africa was able to get sleeveless clothing there before it was available in the United States, and encouraged Walker to buy it as soon as it was available in stores in the United States.
A missionary from Grantsville, 37 miles (59 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City, said he gets annoyed when nonbelievers joke that Latter-day Saints wear “magic underwear.” He hopes that by speaking up about their spiritual importance, he can help break down some of the stigma.
“I feel like sometimes people act like it’s a secret or something that needs to be hidden,” Walker said. “But for me, it’s just a reminder of my promise to God, so I don’t think it’s something that should be kept secret.”
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Barras reported from Los Angeles and Meyer from Nashville, Tennessee.
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