SALT LAKE CITY — Newly designed sleeveless temple garments for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went on sale across the U.S. on Tuesday, drawing hundreds to Deseret Book stores and church distribution centers while overwhelming the church’s online store within hours. Shoppers reported long queues from Centerville to Sugar House and Orem, as others refreshed browsers repeatedly amid slow loading and maintenance messages.
Prices on the church site generally range $3.25–$4.50 per piece, with select specialty options — including a new “Women’s Premium Nylon Feminine Absorbent Natural Waist” (period-friendly) style — listed at $13.60. Several additional fabrics and cuts are slated for early 2026.
The rollout follows a year of pilot availability in “warm climate” regions such as Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, and the Philippines, with U.S. release promised for Q4 2025. The “open sleeve” silhouette resembles a tank-style top compared with traditional capped sleeves; women who favor dresses in hotter climates can also find light slip-dress and skirt-bottom options.
Lines in Utah, sell-outs online
At a Centerville distribution center, more than 200 people lined up Tuesday morning; Sugar House saw roughly 100 (primarily women), some waiting two hours before opening. Orem’s lot filled before doors opened, with 200+ shoppers. In-store limits (e.g., 20 items per purchase at Sugar House) aimed to keep inventory moving while employees handed out sizing guides for light nylon and dry-stretch styles.
Online, the church warned of “high traffic” and intermittent errors, then briefly moved the store into maintenance, leaving access hit-or-miss for much of the day.
Why the excitement? Fit, comfort, climate — and choice
For many Latter-day Saints, the change eases the practical challenges of pairing garments with sleeveless dresses or working in hot, humid conditions. A longtime wearer and temple volunteer noted she’d been ready to sew sleeves onto a favorite dress — and was delighted not to. A construction worker said a tank-style option would be far more comfortable during Utah summers.
Women also highlighted health benefits: more breathability, reduced friction, and less moisture retention may help those prone to rashes, UTIs, and yeast infections. Advocates who have tracked garment updates for years called the period-friendly model a sign leadership is listening to women’s health needs, and some hope nursing tops (reportedly planned for 2026) and additional maternity-friendly options will follow.
A year of anticipation — and workaround buying
A surge of social media chatter preceded the launch. Over the past year, some U.S. members sourced sleeveless styles from overseas distribution centers (via returning missionaries or friends), prompting the church to cap international purchases. Rumors of early drops spurred store stakeouts in recent weeks — even at Beehive Clothing in Salt Lake City, where garments are made — with reports that security had to manage interest.
Not a shift in standards, say many members
Members interviewed stressed that updated styles don’t change covenants or modesty, but make daily wear less burdensome. “My commitment to God hasn’t changed,” one said, adding that better fits trim the constant tucking and adjusting many have endured.
With the initial U.S. demand far outpacing expectations, stores and the website are expected to restock and stabilize access in coming weeks, as additional fabric options and sizes roll out into 2026.
