GotMyCallA resource for families of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
For future missionaries ·

Missionary dress and appearance

What Elders and Sisters wear and how they groom, in plain words from the Church’s official guidelines.

Elders and Sisters are often called “Mormon missionaries.” The Church asks to be called by its full name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Newsroom style guide).

Short answer

Elders wear dress slacks, white shirts and ties. Sisters wear skirts, dresses or dress slacks, with dresses or skirts for the temple and Sunday.

For Sisters: Sister missionary guide →

Going somewhere hot? Hot and humid missions →

At a glance

  • Clothes: clean, modest, well-fitting and easy to care for.
  • Your mission: its own details are in “What to Bring” in your call packet and portal.
  • Temple and Sunday: the most formal missionary clothes.
  • Climate: pick durable clothes that suit the weather and pack easily.
  • Leaders: the mission president and Area Presidency may adjust the guidelines.

Details differ by mission. Your call packet and the Missionary Portal are the final word.

For Elders

  • Dress slacks, collared shirts and ties, plus a suit if your mission uses them.
  • Some missions allow a blue shirt, with or without a tie, or a white shirt with no tie. Check “What to Bring”.
  • A white shirt, tie and suit coat for the temple, Sunday, the MTC and conferences.
  • Plain, polished shoes. No bow ties, bolo ties or lapel pins.
  • Clean-shaven, with short, neat hair and sideburns no lower than mid-ear.

For Sisters

  • Skirts, dresses or dress slacks. Skirts and dresses cover the knee when standing and sitting.
  • Ankle-length is fine, but nothing should reach the floor.
  • Dresses or skirts for the temple, Sunday, conferences, baptisms and MTC devotionals.
  • Simple, comfortable shoes you can walk in all day.
  • Makeup, jewelry and nail polish kept simple, if you wear them.

Weather, P-day and the name badge

  • Coats and outerwear should be plain, with only small logos.
  • Use sunscreen and dress for your climate.
  • On P-day, Elders’ guidelines say missionary clothes in public, except for service or exercise.
  • Lost or broken name badge? Ask your mission office. Confirm in your call packet.

Questions

Do missionaries have to wear a suit?

Elders wear a suit if their mission uses them. A white shirt, tie and suit coat are expected at the temple, on Sunday, at the MTC and at conferences.

Can Elders wear colored shirts?

Some missions allow a blue shirt, with or without a tie, or a white shirt with no tie. Check “What to Bring” for your mission.

How long do Sister missionary skirts need to be?

Long enough to cover the knee when standing and sitting. Ankle-length is fine, but skirts should not reach the floor.

Can Sister missionaries wear pants?

Yes, dress slacks are allowed. Sisters wear dresses or skirts at the temple, Sunday services, conferences, baptisms and MTC devotionals.

Can Elders have beards?

The guidelines ask Elders to be clean-shaven, with sideburns no lower than the middle of the ear.

Where is my mission’s clothing list?

“What to Bring” in the Missionary Portal and your call packet has the list for your mission.

Sources

. Rules change, so official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More

Packing next? Mission packing list →

Packing list Winter on a mission Temple endowment Call packet Missionary Portal What a mission costs After your mission call Letters & packages