Undergarment upgrades bring many Mormon women comfort and joy [View all]

https://apnews.com/article/latter-day-saints-mormon-church-women-garments-51c0980d9e2db5d3b4982875a169add6

Undergarment upgrades bring many Mormon women comfort and joy
By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, DEEPA BHARATH and HOLLY MEYER
Updated 8:57 PM CDT, October 28, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Sleeveless versions of the sacred undergarments worn by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints flew off the shelves on their first day available in the U.S., marking a momentous occasion for many women in the faith who say they no longer need to trade comfort to feel close to God.

Social media was abuzz with pictures of long lines of mostly women waiting for their chance to get inside specialty stores to buy the new items Tuesday.

Enthusiasm for the new garments, worn under modest street clothes by members of what is widely known as the Mormon church, is not just about all the outfits they can more easily wear over a tank top. The introduction of more breathable fabrics and styles for the typically two-piece white garments is key, especially for those who struggle to wear them for medical reasons or live in warm climates.

“I think that it’s great that they are considering the needs of women,” said Amanda Shirley, a church member from Salt Lake City who was shopping for the garments Tuesday. She knows some women who struggle with the old cotton and polyester garments due to health problems, including gynecological issues.

While the symbolism of the garments is more important to Shirley than comfort, she’s excited for a more breathable alternative. She considers the church’s introduction of new garments “forward-thinking.”

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