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A little over a month ago, the LDS church came out with some updated guidelines on how missionaries, Elders in particular, are expected to dress from here on out. It surprised quite a few people and created a stir among stores that service and help missionaries, since the guidelines for Elders has been exactly the same for literally decades.
When I received a mission call to Japan nearly twenty years ago, the rules were the same as they have been since then: dark conservative colored slacks and suits, and conservative ties as well. Although they generally allowed more latitude in the choice of tie colors, the general rules were decidedly cut and dry.
Suits and slacks must be black, navy, dark gray, and dark brown. Period.
We found out about the news early, when a newly called missionary came in to be outfitted and brought his freshly minted paperwork he had received only a few days prior. On his paperwork they allowed the missionaries new found freedom: TANS GREYS AND KHAKIS!
New Guidelines for Missionaries
We're not in opposition to change, in fact we welcome it! Our pant racks no longer appear to have 6 shades of black. Our suit racks no longer look like we outfit only morticians! We brought in the lighter colors and we were happy to have them. In fact I even purchased a lighter grey suit myself, because I want to be on the cutting edge of missionary clothing trends (that may not actually be a thing, but I digress.) So while we stock the clothing in accordance to the new guidelines we feel it's necessary to ask that missionaries be cautious when choosing to be part of God's new lighter toned Army.
The call says lighter colors like khaki, they don't say you can wear "khakis" like some missionaries seem to think. They still have to be dress slacks, and they can't be a cotton or Docker's style pant.
The other thing we would like to say is that the darker colors... hide a lot more. They hide dirt, grease, food, rain, mud, and most importantly: sweat. We can't emphasize that last one enough. When you are wearing your dress slacks it will usually be warm. In many places it will be downright HOT. Heaven forbid you are riding a bicycle in that heat... sweating... in tan pants. We don't feel the need to expound on that. Just take it for what it's worth.
So while having the option of new colors is exciting, and by all means take a pair or two if you feel so inclined, we suggest you leave the lighter colored suits at home and buy the lighter colors in your washable slacks. That way all the grease, bugs, oil, food, and other stains can be washed off and life is good again.
