The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is back in the news as women within the faith reportedly become so fixated on certain “restricted” items that they are turning to the black market to find them.
The church recently revamped its well-known temple garments—specific underwear worn beneath clothing by its members.
These white garments are traditionally designed to be quite modest, acting as a continuous reminder of their commitment to God and their religious vows.
However, the new design features cap sleeves and a high cut that make them difficult to wear under many clothing styles, especially women’s attire.
This led the church to introduce a “somewhat more revealing” version late last year, aiming to provide “style and fabric options for those living in hot and humid areas.” This change sparked considerable backlash within the community.
For the first time in nearly 200 years, the church rolled out sleeveless underwear, replacing the classic short-sleeved style worn with knee-length shorts with a new tank top design.
After significant anticipation, the updated temple garments finally became available in the United States, home to the largest Mormon population.
However, the church appeared to underestimate the demand. This resulted in long lines forming outside stores, as U.S.-based Mormons sought various options to secure these highly sought-after products.
One influencer from Hawaii stated that she’d go to great lengths to get her hands on the new garments, even suggesting she might fly to Japan if necessary.
“When I saw the line, I was in shock,” exclaimed Sheila Egan after spending over three hours waiting.
Meanwhile, a stylist from Utah specializing in modest clothing noted the desperation among Mormons to obtain the new garments.
This intense demand has reportedly led to a “black market” forming online, with church members paying inflated prices to acquire these items, often over $150 plus shipping. Clothing from warmer regions like Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, and the Philippines appears to have been particularly sought after.
Some early recipients of the new garments took to social media, sharing their emotional responses, with one person expressing joy over receiving a sleeveless outfit for their wedding day.
Yet, the limited availability has fueled feelings of disappointment and envy among members of the church, some of whom said the situation caught them by surprise.
Observers outside the Mormon faith have reacted with confusion regarding the controversy surrounding what they refer to as “church-approved underwear.”
“It’s wild that there’s merchandise associated with the church,” one remarked.
Another person humorously noted their disbelief over waiting three hours in line for this underwear, calling it both “hilarious and sad” at the same time.
Furthermore, some were surprised to learn that Mormons must wear these garments daily, as they previously thought such clothing was primarily for church attendance.
Women in the faith have expressed their past discomfort with the old design, noting how it contributed to body image issues and negatively affected their overall health and intimate relationships.
