A few months ago, I was glancing through some conversations in a private online group and almost scrolled past something that would come to be the impetus for this post.
Thank you, Melissa Tinambacan for sharing it.
My heart skipped a beat.
I’ve had the desire to share bits and pieces of my religious upbringing publicly but up until this point felt that it was too off-topic for what my writing covers now. (And that it would just wait until later in life). But seeing this post was a lightbulb moment for me. Of course, I can write about this topic because surprisingly fashion is, in a way, steeped in it.
Surprisingly and unequivocally intertwined.
So, for those who haven’t heard of the Mormon church, you’re about to. (Just one aspect of it).
This post is about my perspective on the roots & intersection of Mormonism & fashion.
It’s a lengthy one, so grab some popcorn, get comfy, and buckle up buttercup.
When meeting new folks, some take silent guesses as to whether or not my husband and I are Mormon, mostly because of some notable attributes.
We’re from Utah
We married very young (19!)
We’re both caucasian
I don’t drink coffee or alcohol
I don’t have any tattoos
And I rarely swear
Chances are I am Mormon.
But I’m not…
I was.
Two very heavy words that follow the question, “Are you Mormon?”
I shared this blog post on my personal Facebook page with the following disclaimer:
Hopefully, that caveat gives you perspective into the gravity this holds for me. My close friends and family who are non-Mormon or ex-Mormon already know my stance on many LDS topics, but I’ve never been so open with members about my true feelings regarding this specific topic. My heartbeat has picked up pace just writing this sentence.
It is also worth noting that most people who leave Mormonism lose many relationships in the process and even though I experienced that years ago, there’s a chance I may lose more by sharing this.
I hope not.
This post will be categorized into 6 parts:
Church Background
Utah's Culture
Garments:
3. History
4. Ripple Effect
5. Trends
6. Production Questions
So, what's the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “Mormon”?
HBO’s Big Love? No coffee? TLC’s Sister Wives? Utah? Just another day?
For those who haven’t heard of it, Mormonism is a type of religion, claimed to be a sect of Christianity and founded by a man named Joseph Smith. He claims to have restored Jesus Christ’s true church in 1820 after praying for clarity and receiving a vision of two personages- Jesus and God. He was later named the first president of the organization.
Mormonism is one deeply rooted in Utah’s history, as many of the founding members made their way on foot from the Eastern states to the West in 1847, settling in Utah, (where I’m from).
The foundations of the church split into different offshoots as the years went on; some remained faithful to the original teachings of polygamy while others rejected much of that doctrine to believe in what is known today as mainstream Mormonism, (what I grew up in).
The official title is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Again, please keep in mind I’m skipping A LOT of background information and providing only what I feel to be a good enough basis for understanding).
Both titles are used interchangeably, although members prefer the latter. (I’ll use the words Mormon and LDS - (the acronym for Latter Day Saints) - interchangeably. The word Mormon has had both positive and negative connotations through the decades- the latest one giving members a slightly bothersome take. Please know, that I do not use this word with a negative connotation, it is simply more recognized worldwide.
Joseph Smith laid the foundation of the church along with many aspects of what would come to be defining Mormon attributes.
One of many claimed revelations is about what members should eat and drink and how they should behave- all “attributes of worthy members that grow them closer to God.” He declared the teachings: The Word of Wisdom
You might be wondering why I’m sharing this “Word of Wisdom,” teaching as this post isn’t about alcohol. But I’ve included it because it is a cornerstone of Utah’s culture. You won’t find hard liquor at the grocery stores and if you’re headed to the liquor store- better get there before Sunday because it’ll be closed, along with many other stores, (to allow time for worship and family). Although sometimes annoying, ultimately I’ve always loved this approach because whether or not you’re Mormon, we all need time to rest! Costco also doesn’t sell alcohol, which I didn’t even remember was different until I visited my sister in Washington last year.
It doesn’t matter if you’re LDS or not- when you’re in Utah, you’ll soon find factors like these that influence what people “should” or “should not” be doing which influences the concept of purity culture.
I did however leave out the part about what Joseph Smith claims the Lord said about good foods, as I don’t feel it’s relevant enough, and in my experience, Mormons, Utahns, and Americans in general typically do not heed “good food’s” directives.
Also, for clarification, the Doctrine & Covenants are scriptures considered by members to hold the same weight in truth as the Bible.
Speaking to the no alcohol commandment- one of my hints to my “questionable Mormonism” - the fact that I don’t drink alcohol. I'm aware that outside of Utah, it's a very unpopular and curious choice in this day and age.
When asked about alcohol, I tell folks the truth- I just don’t care for it. The fact that I don’t drink alcohol is very much rooted in my Mormon upbringing, as it is forbidden in the faith. But after leaving and being able to make the choice for myself, without fear of my eternal salvation at risk, I did try it a few times and reacted the same way every 1st-timer does in a coming-of-age film: disgusted.
It just tastes so gross.
I even tried getting drunk; a literal “when-in-Rome” scenario on a trip to Europe in 2019 with my husband.
I ended up hating the feeling of being drunk.
But hey, at least I tried it! A testament to my agency.
Of course the Word of Wisdom is not the only thing that has shaped Utah's culture. The rest of the blog post speaks to how Utah's culture was built over the years; something I can't fit into just one section.
But if Mormonism prohibits alcohol then you might expect it to forbid or have some sort of restriction on what its members wear. Hallmarks of high-demand religions.
So, does Mormonism have a say in what you wear? Absolutely it does. And they're called garments.
The word doesn’t have the same connotation for me as it used to, since I work in fashion and clothing is many times referred to as “garments.”
But before fashion, the word meant only one thing for me.
So what are garments? Here is the explanation from the church's website.
Whew that was a lot.
For those whose only context was the previous info, let me explain without all the church jargon.
When members of the LDS church either get married or go through a ceremony before serving a mission- called an endowment ceremony- they are required to begin wearing underwear called garments. (A mission is a period of 2 years where men who are at least 18 years old are expected to proselytize in a geographical area that they’ve been called to. Women are not expected to go).
All of this is so beyond normal for me that it took explaining it to someone who’s never heard of Mormonism, for me to realize how interesting and different this all is.
So, speaking to it from that perspective, you might be thinking…….Wait, what?
Yup, you heard me.
Before these two big life events, members have to stop wearing “regular” underwear and start wearing Mormon undergarments, which are not meant to be seen by anyone other than your spouse. Some have referred to them as “magic underwear,” but this term is offensive as members feel it is insensitive and an inaccurate description
Why?
Because they “serve as a constant reminder of the covenants they made with God.” That is the church’s response.
My opinion? Well, my opinion is going to sound quite abrupt because as much as I’m trying to be unbiased, it is impossible for me to do so, given that I grew up in the faith, left and my eyes were opened to life outside the religion; a refreshing perspective that I am deeply, deeply grateful for.
So what gives me the right to be so critical of a religious piece of clothing?
Because I was Mormon. My family and I left when I was about 14 so I wasn’t old enough to wear garments (thankfully), but I was groomed for it.
And if you’re wondering, if I think so negatively about Mormon garments, do I have the same attitude towards clothing from other faiths? Would I make fun of a Muslim’s skullcap or a Jewish prayer shawl? No. I do not disrespect other people (not intentionally). I can’t speak to other religion’s ceremonial pieces of clothing because I have no direct experience with those other faiths. I don’t judge any one person’s choice of religious pieces of clothing; my criticism about Mormon garments hinges on two specific aspects: the top-down authoritative implementation and my personal life. Please don’t conflate the fact that I can respect people who wear garments but not respect the institution that implements them.
So, what do these garments look like when you're wearing them?
I know what might be thinking. (Well, at least if you’re not Mormon or ex-Mormon).
Eeekk. They are so……….unattractive looking. Not sexy. Unappealing. Depressing some would even say.
I tried to find a more attractive-looking photo online and this is the best I could come up with:
You’re probably wondering how one would avoid getting skid marks on these things.
Yeah, I went there.
Where did these things even come from? What's the history of Mormon garments?
You know what the craziest thing is? I had no idea. Until I wrote this blog post.
I grew up Mormon and had no idea. Because the thing about the Mormon church is….they’re not really a fan of informed consent. And they explain things without really explaining them. And they teach things hoping people won’t ask thought-provoking questions stemming from critical thought.
How could I be raised in this religion while being taught and groomed that one day I would have to wear something every single day not by my choice and not know the real reason why?
If you remember from 1 minute ago, there’s a photo and video from the church’s website about garments. (Scroll up). I read and watched it several times and still didn’t understand the deeper meaning behind garments.
But I did after Googling it.
You’ll soon find a theme here- in my faith journey, I’ve concluded that I’ll find out more about Mormonism from the internet and people who've left the organization than I have and will from the church itself.
So where did garments come from? Are we to credit (or blame) Joesph Smith for this?
The answer was quite difficult to find out.
One Reddit thread titled The History of the Garment took me for a loop.
And the first link that pops up on Google after typing in "history of Mormon garments brings you to MormonR with this answer:
However these things got here, apparently they used to look like this:
Can you imagine wearing this under regular clothing in the 1800s…..?? And if you didn’t click on the image, note that these could not be altered and slits in the crotch were made to ensure members wore them during sex.
All That’s Interesting had this to say:
“This garment, worn day and night serves three important purposes,”
It is a reminder of the sacred covenants made with the Lord in His holy house
A protective covering for the body
And a symbol of the modest of dress and living that should characterize the lives of all the humble followers of Christ.”
It says that the color white is a symbol of “purity,” and that Joseph Smith did institute it in the 1840’s. (Apparently, it's still up for debate). And that despite the revelation coming from Heaven, the garment did change around the 1920s - shortening the sleeves and pants and removing the collars and knots.
Exmormonmindy and Saints Unscripted simplified it in these videos. Thanks guys!
Even though all this research reminds me that I was lied to for years, I actually find the idea of wearing something that reminds you of your faith to be a beautiful sentiment. As a person of faith, (a different one now), I would love to wear something that reminds me of my creator while bringing comfort in times of need. But why can’t it be anything a person chooses? A piece of jewelry or a tattoo? The Mormon church preaches the concept of agency but garments are not a choice- they are imposed upon members.
And the hammer was thrown down even harder on February 13th, 1951 by Spencer W. Kimball, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
He gave a talk that impacted how leaders in the church taught about garments and modesty called
(Articles of Interest’s Modesty episode covers Islam, Mormonism, and Judaism. Skip to 27 minutes for the LDS part and 37 minutes for Kimball’s quote.
P.S. Thank you Kate Knight for sending this my way!)
I think I just threw up in my mouth.
So as a woman, it’s my job to not dress too sexy so I don’t tempt men?? That I should cover up to make sure I’m not the reason a man sins?? I can’t even…..
Kimball’s talk sent the modest topic on fire and shifted the focus of garments from the covenants to dress and sexuality.
Even though garments are supposed to be a sacred component of Mormonism- to be between a person and their Heavenly Father- “they are very much a point of public comment,” said Rosemary Card in the Articles of Interest episode, 33 minutes in.
Being publicly scrutinized isn’t the only downside to instituting how members should dress. From mental health issues, and physical repercussions, to cognitive dissonance and of course, the mental gymnastics one must do to understand why they have to wear them in the first place.
The list goes on and on:
(The Temple Recommend meeting is one in which the ward bishop - a man - usually older, meets with members to ask them questions to see if they are fit to go into the temple. I’m embarrassed to say that this was so normal for me I never thought twice about it until recent years.
Umm…. an older man meeting with young members alone in a room..... asking them about their underwear…….?)
Many members turn to online groups, podcasts or social media to express their frustrations.
I literally have only heard one woman express positive sincere regard for her garments. I'm sure there are more out there but I personally have only heard one first-hand account of this.
A core memory lives in my brain from my childhood about the dreaded laundry chore, which at the time, always led me to a resounding, cringing thought:
“Am I really going to have to wear these one day??”
But I grew up in the faith…..The less I thought about it, the better. After all, it was years away! I didn’t need to worry about it then. And whenever the topic came up, my body would internally shrug and I figured that I would just get used to it, let it go, and move on with life. After all, I was taught that it was a trivial thing- a test as to how much we could let go of the “vain things of the world,” all for the most important thing of all: eternal salvation in the celestial kingdom. My attitude became simultaneously reluctant and accepting of my inevitable future.
Garments are a very clear, physical indicator as to whether or not someone is probably LDS. And if they are- whether or not they are keeping with the larger teachings of the church. These are things like following their prophet, keeping their temple covenants, taking the sacrament, dressing modestly, etc. The church says there are only a few circumstances where members are allowed to take them off: sex, swimming, exercising, and showering. But some members insist that they should still be worn while working out.
Back to my internal dialog as a kid: I eventually began to think,
Wait, hold the phone. Why was my thought only in reference to how a husband regards his wife, not the other way around or both ways for that matter? Or in a same-sex marriage?
Because if you hadn’t noticed already, even though both the men’s and women’s garments are similar, women’s clothing in the modern age by far and large does not typically cover the areas of the women’s garments.
Garments affect women much more than they do for men. A statement I’ll stand by, as women by far and large care more about what they wear than men. And I’ve only heard one man expressing his frustrations with the clothing. (A particular comment on how suffocating they are in hot, humid weather).
I don’t want to discount other men’s experiences though. There’s still tank tops in the summer that can’t be worn with garments and the inherent forced upon nature of it. Not to mention going from wearing underwear your whole life to suddenly submitting to what an institution says is the underwear needed to be worn in order to be a worthy member……in order to receive eternal exaltation….
I want to hold space and respect the cognitive dissonance and emotional difficulties that come with this for men who have either left the faith or are questioning.
However, the stark reality is that Mormon garments affect women leaps and bounds more than men. Which is why you’ll find quite a lot of content online from women for women about how to dress cute while wearing them in addition to how they essentially…..live their lives.
These are the trends rooted in garments and Mormonism.
The Performance of Domesticity
I wish I had come up with this phrase. It’s a genius way to describe the never-ending trend of “Day in the Life,” reels, and TikTok videos of moms while the “tradwife” trend surges.
Credit to Alexi, Biz & Sam at Nymphet Alumni Podcast for this phrase.
Tradwife is defined as:
“a Western culture typically denoting a woman who believes in and practices traditional sex roles and marriages. An idealized view of adhering to very traditional gender roles where many wives believe that they do not sacrifice women’s rights by choosing to take a homemaking role within their marriage."
This trend speaks to an overarching lifestyle from many Millennial and Genz Mormon moms. A cornerstone of the faith is not only garments but the role that women play in the home. They are encouraged to have as many children as possible and to be at home with those children. The core principles at work here are cooking, cleaning, baking, child-rearing, gardening, farming, etc.
Ballerina Farm takes the cake on this one. 9 Million followers.
Highly criticized for pushing the mom-guilt narrative, Hannah & Daniel Neeleman own a 328-acre ranch in Kamas, UT where they sell anything from Vanilla Bourbon French Salt and Home Goods to Sourdough starters and Beef Boxes. Mother of 8, Hannah can be seen showing off every Mormon leader’s dream of the ideal wife and mother while wearing pioneer-perfect outfits.
(If you’re wondering if I ever strived for this……..no…..I can barely handle two kids……and I 100% do not want to spend my days in the kitchen churning butter). I also don’t let her make me feel guilty about not wanting that lifestyle. Who knows if she’s really happy or not? Maybe she’s living her best life. Maybe she feels trapped by all of it. Either way, my stance is “You do you woman.” And if she makes you feel guilty about the kind of mom you are- it's probably time to check in with yourself on what you actually want for your life and your kids.
Another popular Utah-based influencer whose branding is all about domesticity is
Jordan Page of Fun, Cheap or Free.
Jordan is also a mom of 8 who is all about budgeting, living frugally, and structuring your day around efficiency and productivity. Whether or not her Day-in-the-Life YouTube videos convince you that she has it all together, (no human has it “all together” all the time), you’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like to run a household of 10. I actually appreciated her What Do Mormons Really Believe video, because whether or not I believe in Mormonism, it takes guts to publicly share your faith with so many followers. (571K followers on Instagram and 940K on YouTube)
Nara Smith is new to me, and one that says she’s “not hardcore Mormon.”
Model-turned-homemaker, Nara married fellow Utah model Lucky Blue Smith and converted to the faith but says, “I’m not in any way a hardcore Mormon or anything like that, I don’t wear garments. I didn’t get married in the temple. Both me and my husband are on our own journeys and figuring out how we want to raise our kids.”
Her stance on this along with endless cooking videos reels people in. Pun intended. (3.2 million followers on Instagram and 7.1 million on TikTok).
Taylor Frankie Paul
…..don’t even get me started. (I seriously can’t stand TikTok…..I haven't downloaded the app....how Boomer-esk of me).
I just don’t care to see how you vacuum your house or what you’ve named your kids……. But apparently other people do….4 million followers.
Prairie & The Extension of Tradwife
Most LDS women dress in “regular clothes," or "regualr mom clothes," - what many define as sweats, yoga pants, or simple loose t-shirts, (like many other non-LDS moms). But there are some LDS mothers who take it back to the Mormon pioneer roots with prairie dresses, “(Cottage Core,)” and looping in western denim tops. Others take to the early 2000's basics of knee length shorts and cap sleeve shirts.
The Color White
This one doesn't need any explaining. But I'll say after working at two different Victoria's Secret stores- one in California and one in Utah, I can confirm that white SKUs sell more at the Utah stores than anywhere else.
So what about where Mormon garments are manufactured? Is the “sacredness” of garments practiced in the production of said clothing?
My work within fashion falls into conscious denim and conscious fashion as a whole. This is the approach of producing more ethically, responsibly, and sustainably, etc. I spend quite a lot of time immersed in the integrity of apparel production and bringing this perspective to LDS garments……begs a lot of questions.
Where are their garments made?
Are they produced in ethical factories?
How many SKUs do they produce annually?
What is the fiber content? (obviously from a not-so-breathable fiber mix considering all the negative feedback)
How much do they cost?
Does the church buy them for members who can’t afford them?
This 30-second video opened the floodgates to all these questions. Huge thank you to Nemo the Mormon!
Nemo points out that recent articles expose garment production in a Chinese facility that the LDS church doesn’t confirm despite them claiming 6 production facilities not within China: Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, the Philippines, and the U.S. (Salt Lake City and American Fork). He hints that the church is probably subcontracting with this Chinese facility and I agree with his statement of “..because it’s not as clear cut as “Made in China” equals made unethically.”
Korihor The Mormon's article from Medium only furthered my suspicions.
How can a religious organization that preaches goodness, fairness, and holiness to the Lord pivot its apparel production to a cheaper place, while it hoards $49.3 billion dollars…..?? Yeah, that’s billion with a B.
Oh and do all that without transparency, without ensuring garment workers are paid a living wage, and let the quality go of items that they preach with such conviction are “sacred.”
Wrapping up this blog post has been quite challenging for me, as it is difficult to leave one last thought on something rooted in what used to be my entire faith-based value system; something I used to believe in with every bone in my body as a universal truth of which to live by. Garments merely scratch the surface of Mormonism.
But at the end of writing all this, I am [happily] left feeling inquisitive and more self-reflective than before.
Isn’t it interesting that the fabric of our lives may not be bought in stores we all know?
Isn’t it interesting that there are many different “bubbles” of trends? That subcultures of fashion differ from place to place and with it comes a vast spectrum of what is considered “modest” dressing. That fashion trends extend beyond clothing and into behaviors and displays of lives, sprinkled with criticism, adornment, and obsession.
Isn’t it interesting just how much power we allow others to have over us? To tell us how to dress and that some of the directives were claimed to come from God? That he cares about what we wear?
Writing this post has made me reconsider what modesty means. I’ve always thought of it as just what someone is wearing but now consider it to be a topic spanning more than that; reaching beyond clothing and into someone’s tactfulness and maybe even their humility.
In my opinion, we let clothing have more power over us than we realize or care to admit. We can feel
Name any adjective and you’ll recall a piece of clothing that has brought out one of those emotions.
The power we let clothing have over us shows up in different ways, and I’m not immune to it like I thought I was. For some, it’s a dollar amount or their body image. For others, it’s men at the top of a religious organization. For me, I guess it’s wanting from time to time, to make it clear that I’m not Mormon.
Maybe this subconscious desire holds no more integrity than an LDS person wearing garments, but the difference I see is that it’s my decision. That no one tells me that a piece of clothing will bring me closer to God, and insists it has anything to do with my eternal salvation, purity, or worthiness.
Stepping into my clothes of choice as I step out into an 80% populated Mormon area does impact me more than I’d like to admit. I recognize that I downplay what I wear despite enjoying this seemingly mundane human activity because I’m afraid to stand out too much or be seen as high maintenance.
A bubble I’d like to pop.
How can I continue to feel impacted by this despite no longer believing in it? Maybe it’s my environment or the unbreakable roots of my Mormon upbringing. Maybe one day I’ll pop the bubble I’ve been taught so earnestly to stay in.
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