While many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are cheering the news that sleeveless temple garments are on the horizon, most will have to wait a year for them.
Several redesign options for women and men are currently available in some hot climates (think Africa and the Philippines) but they won’t hit the United States until the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a Thursday afternoon addition to church’s clothing website. Members from other countries can go to store.churchofjesuschrist.org to find out the schedule for them.
In one model, temple garments — which faithful members wear underneath normal clothing as a reminder of sacred covenants — look more like tank tops than the current capped sleeve choices.
The style is called “Women’s Dry Stretch Open Sleeve Chemise,” which is described on the faith’s online store as being an “snug-fitting chemise top [with] “no underbust seams.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) This screenshot from the church’s online store for U.S. members shows that the new sleeveless garment tops for women will be available toward the end of next year.
The open sleeve is “designed to be cooler and eliminate excess fabric at the armhole,” the store explains. “Dry Stretch fabric is a soft polyester/spandex blend that dries quickly and is lightweight.”
There are two completely new designs — the first is the “Women’s Light Nylon Full Slip,” which is described as a “loose-fit chemise slip,” with an open sleeve and no underbust seams. “The slip design more easily allows a variety of possible options to address women’s health or other needs. Light Nylon is a 100% nylon fabric that dries quickly and is lightweight.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) This screenshot from the church’s online store for U.S. members shows that the new full-slip sleeveless garment for women will be available toward the end of next year.
The second is “Women’s Light Nylon Half Slip,” which sports “a subtle A-line for ease of movement and a narrow, encased elastic waistband.” Like the full slip, this one is made of nylon, which dries quickly, and is meant “to address women’s health or other needs.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) This screenshot from the church’s online store for U.S. members shows that the new half-slip garment for women will be available toward the end of next year.
The new men’s sleeveless top is described as “snug-fitting,” with a “round neckline.” It, too, is meant to be “cooler and eliminate excess fabric at the armhole.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) This screenshot from the church’s online store for U.S. members shows that the new sleeveless garments for men will be available toward the end of next year.
“Devout Latter-day Saints cherish the privilege of wearing the temple garment,” church spokesperson Doug Andersen explained in a statement issued Thursday morning. “Some of those members live in hot and humid areas. The [governing] First Presidency has authorized changes in the garment to bless those members and others who might benefit from the changes.”
[Read more about the new sleeveless garments and members’ reactions.]
Members across the globe greeted the news with excitement — even before knowing when they might become available in their areas.
“I am thrilled to hear about the garment redesign,”said Rachel Gerber, an Instagrammer with LDS Changemakers, which promotes gender equality in the church. It is, she added, like an answer to prayers.
— Tribune Senior Managing Editor David Noyce contributed to this story.
