SALT LAKE CITY — The white shirts and ties that have long been the signature outfit for young men serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will no longer be the only outfit choice under a dress code change announced Friday.
Some men will now be able to wear blue dress shirts and no ties during faith outreach missions for the Utah-based church. While many will still wear white shirts and ties, regional leaders now have the option to allow the new attire if it helps “safety, effectiveness, approachability and cultural sensitivity” for missionaries in their areas of the world, church officials said in a news release.
It marks the church’s latest step in recent years to modernize a missionary program that is considered a rite of passage for young members. Last year, leaders in the church changed their rules to allow missionaries to call home every week instead of only twice a year.
Nearly two years ago, female missionaries got the option to wear dress slacks, instead of only skirts and dresses. That was designed to help women stay warm in cold climates and make it easier to ride bicycles.
