Guidelines for Sisters

Two sister missionaries walking around in Hong Kong

These guidelines will help you maintain a professional appearance so that you and others can focus on your message and the sacred nature of your calling.

Clothing should consist of professional

  • blouses and skirts,
  • dresses,
  • dress slacks, and
  • sweaters and jackets (optional).

The images below illustrate these principles. They do not reflect all appropriate clothing options.

Dress Slacks

Slacks should be in conservative colors and may have small, simple, and subtle patterns such as pinstripes or checkers. Choose dress slacks that are professional and wrinkle resistant.

Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire as they walk together. They are wearing approved blouses, and pants.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved clothing for pants and shoes.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved clothing for pants and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts, pants, and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear and attire. They are wearing dress shoes and slacks.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts, pants, and shoes.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved pants and shoes.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved clothing for pants and shoes.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved clothing for pants and shoes.

Skirts and Dresses

Skirts and dresses should fully cover the entire knee (front and back) when you are standing or sitting. Slits should also start below the knee when standing or sitting. Wear a slip if needed.

For safety purposes, skirts, dresses, and slacks should not reach the floor (ankle-length is appropriate).

Wear dresses or skirts when attending the temple and during Sunday worship services, leadership and zone conferences, baptismal services, and missionary training center devotionals. However, you may wear dress slacks to the meeting location and change into a dress or skirt before the meeting begins.

Sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved clothing and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses and skirts.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved cardigan, dress, and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved blouse and skirt.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses and skirts.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved tops, skirts, and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear and attire. They are wearing dresses. They appear to be talking to other people nearby.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved cardigan, dress, and shoes.
A senior sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved skirt and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses and skirts.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved sweater, blouse and skirt.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses.
A senior missionary models appropriate shirts and dress and she smiles and talks to someone off camera.

Blouses, Tops, and Sweaters

Choose blouses, tops, and sweaters that will match with a variety of skirts and slacks.

Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts. They appear to be talking to other people nearby.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved jacket and pants.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts. The missionaries smile.
A sister missionary smiles as comes into a home for a lesson.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved blouse and skirt.
A senior missionary models appropriate shirts and dress and she smiles and talks to someone off camera.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts.
A senior sister missionary in Brazil looks at her name tag.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts.
A senior sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved shirts, skirt, and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts.

Shoes

Wear closed-toe and closed-heel footwear. Comfortable, flat-soled shoes and boots or shoes with low heels are preferred. Shoes, including winter boots, should look professional and be appropriate for the climate and condition of your mission.

Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved shoes.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved shoes.

Outerwear

In cold weather you may wear coats, gloves, scarves, and hats as needed. These items should be simple and conservative, without words, pictures, or logos (however, small, non-distracting logos are acceptable).

Outerwear should fit well, look professional, and be appropriate for the climate and condition of your mission. Hats and gloves should not be worn indoors.

Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses with jackets and coats. Another sister missionary wears pants and a blouse. Together they are playing with a dog.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts.
A senior missionary models appropriate jackets and dress and she smiles and talks to someone off camera.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved scarf, coat, and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses.
A sister missionary companionship walk together outside. They are modeling appropriate dress and grooming, especially in their jackets and pants.
A sister missionary companionship walk together outside. They are modeling appropriate dress and grooming, especially in their jackets and pants.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire as they walk together. They are wearing approved dresses, blouses, and pants.
A sister missionary companionship walk together outside. They are modeling appropriate dress and grooming, especially in their jackets and pants.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate footwear. They wear correct and approved clothing along with the shoes. These are dress shoes.

Casual and Exercise

Casual clothing and shoes are appropriate for activities such as service or exercise. Casual clothing should always be appropriate for the situation, fit well, and be comfortable. For example, avoid clothing that is too tight or distracting or that has holes, words, pictures, or logos not consistent with your calling as a missionary. Mission leaders can help you apply these principles in a way that is culturally appropriate and maintains personal dignity and safety.

On preparation day, wear regular proselyting clothing in public unless more casual clothing is appropriate for a specific activity, such as service or exercise.

Sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved clothing for physical activity.
A senior missionary couple model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved clothing for outdoor work.
A sister missionary companionship walk together outside. They are modeling appropriate dress and grooming, as they are in jeans and t-shirts. They are dressed appropriately for giving service or being on their p-days.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved clothing for casual use.
A sister missionaries is outside. She are modeling appropriate exercise clothing during p-day.
A sister missionary companionship walk together outside. They are modeling appropriate dress and grooming, as they are in jeans and t-shirts. They are dressed appropriately for giving service or being on their p-days.
A sister missionaries is outside. She are modeling appropriate exercise clothing during p-day.
A senior missionary companionship walk together outside. They are modeling appropriate dress and grooming.
A sister missionaries is outside. She are modeling appropriate exercise clothing during p-day. She is jogging.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved clothing for casual use.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved shoes.

Additional Casual Clothing Guidelines for Senior Missionaries (Ages 40+)

On preparation day and when you are not performing mission duties, you may wear casual clothing, though it should still be consistent with your missionary purpose and sacred calling.

In some assignments (for example, Farmland Reserve, records preservation, and so forth), you may wear casual clothing that is appropriate for your specific assignment. Senior missionaries may also bring modest swimwear. Contact your mission leaders for additional information.

Bags

Choose bags that are professional, simple in style, and durable. Backpacks may be used for luggage but not for daily missionary activities. To keep yourself safe and to be sensitive of others, choose bags that are typical of those carried by others in your area. Consider waiting to purchase your proselyting bag in the mission field. Carry only what is necessary, and be sensitive to others’ space when riding public transportation or in crowds.

Various sister missionaries model appropriate accessories and attire. They are holding purses.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate accessories and attire. They are holding purses.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate accessories and attire. They are holding purses.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate accessories and attire. They are holding purses.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate clothing. They wear correct and approved dress pants and shoes.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire, focusing on accessories. The sister missionary holds a black purse/bag.

Accessories and Jewelry

Keep accessories and jewelry, including watches, simple, professional, and conservative so they do not distract from your message or draw attention, including only one pair of earrings (if desired). Leave expensive jewelry at home.

You may wear wide-brimmed hats to provide protection from the sun. Hats should have at least a three-inch surrounding brim. Avoid hats that are brightly colored, too casual, or distracting from your message. Baseball, cowboy, bucket, newsboy, and fedora hats are not acceptable.

You may also wear simple and conservative sunglasses to provide protection from the sun. Remove sunglasses when speaking with others. Do not wear sunglasses with bright-colored rims or mirrored lenses. Do not wear hats or sunglasses indoors.

A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved hat, blouse, and skirt.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire, focusing on accessories. The sister missionary holds a black purse/bag.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts. They appear to be talking to other people nearby.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved necklace.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved dresses.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing square stud earings.
Various sister missionaries model appropriate dress and attire. They are wearing approved shirts and pants.
A sister missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing approved earrings.
A senior missionary models appropriate dress and attire. She is wearing an approved cardigan and necklace.
Last Updated On 10 Feb 2022