Undergarment upgrades bring many Mormon women comfort and joy
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Sleeveless versions of sacred underwear worn by members The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints They flew off the shelves on the first day they went on sale in the US; This marked a significant event for many women of faith who said they no longer needed to sacrifice comfort to feel close to God.
Social media was filled with photos of long lines, mostly women, waiting for the chance to enter specialty stores to buy the new products on Tuesday.
The enthusiasm for the new clothes that members of what is commonly known as the Mormon church wear under their modest street clothes isn’t just about clothes they can more easily wear over a sleeveless T-shirt. Introducing more breathable fabrics and styles for typically two-piece white garments is crucial, especially for those who have difficulty wearing them for medical reasons or those who live in hot climates.
“I think it’s great that they’re taking women’s needs into consideration,” said church member Amanda Shirley of Salt Lake City, who was shopping for clothes Tuesday. She knows some women who struggle with old cotton and polyester clothes due to health issues, including gynecological problems.
While the symbolism of clothing is more important to Shirley than comfort, she’s excited for a more breathable alternative. He calls it “prescient” that the church is offering new clothing.
The priests of the church, which has more than 17 million members worldwide, are all men. senior leaders they are all men. Top women serve on councils with several layers of leadership below male-only groups.
Although occasionally ridiculed by foreigners, the clothing worn by both men and women is comparable to the sacred clothing of other religions. Latter-day Saints who attend the temple are reminded that they made covenants of obedience, sacrifice, sexual purity and sanctification, said Kathleen Flake, former professor of Mormon Studies at the University of Virginia.
Flake said the new clothes were designed by a group that includes both men and women at the church. He said that they have been in talks with major underwear manufacturers to develop these styles for the last two years.
“They actually tried to make underwear for the world,” Flake said. “The idea was to make sure people were comfortable practicing this aspect of their religion.”
New clothes draw long lines at Utah stores
State Sen. Mike McKell said in a post on
A line of mostly women carrying blue shopping baskets milled around the church-affiliated Deseret Bookstore in Salt Lake City’s Sugar House neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. There was a queue out the door earlier in the day.
New clothes cost between $4 and $5 each. An employee walked along the strip with a measuring tape in hand and cheerfully told customers about the new stretchy fabric made from a bit of spandex that she said provided a cooling effect. Signs at the store’s registers stated there was a limit of 20 items per customer to ensure as many shoppers as possible could have items in stock. As of 15:00 the size of the store was small and extra small.
When asked why she was excited about new clothes, shopper Janae Skinner replied, “I’m sweating so much!” he said.
While there is a way to purchase the new clothes online, most shoppers told The Associated Press they want to try on the updated styles and sizes before purchasing.
Clothes change as time goes by
Flake, a longtime Mormon expert, said the church has made a number of stylistic changes to temple vestments throughout its history because the way people dress has changed. This latest change has been a long time coming, he said, because the faith is truly global and must appeal to all who practice it.
“This change demonstrates the church’s sensitivity to making clothing as comfortable as possible for the maximum number of people,” Flake said.
This is why clothing was first introduced in warm climates and other parts of the world where women often wore dresses, where it was a more practical necessity. Tank tops, bottoms and one-piece tops 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’s excited to try out the new tank style, which he hopes will be more comfortable during the warmer months while serving his mission in Roseville, California. He said that his current clothes can get hot, but he is getting used to them now.
He said a friend who was stationed in Africa bought the sleeveless clothes there last year and encouraged Walker to buy them as soon as they hit shelves in the United States.
The missionary, who hails from Grantsville, 37 miles (59 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City, said he gets frustrated when people outside the faith joke that Latter-day Saints wear “magic underwear.” He hopes that by speaking openly about its spiritual significance, he can help eliminate some of the stigma.
“I think sometimes people act like it’s a secret or something we have to keep,” Walker said. “But for me, it’s just a reminder of the promises I made to God, and so I don’t think it’s something I should keep a secret.”
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Bharath reported from Los Angeles and Meyer from Nashville, Tennessee.
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