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The Church recently updated their dress and grooming guidelines for missionaries, allowing missionaries to wear conservative sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats in order to help them better protect against the sun.
The Church holds its missionaries to high standards—both spiritually and when it comes to dress and appearance. As servants of the Lord, they represent Him in every way.
Missionaries are told, “as an ambassador of the Lord you are to wear professional, conservative clothing that is consistent with your sacred calling and that will clearly identify you as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (Dress and Grooming Guidelines for Missionaries).
But that doesn’t mean that adjustments can’t be made to ensure our missionaries are safe and comfortable while serving. For example, in July 2015, the Church made a new policy for missionaries in some areas in Africa, Asia, Central America, the Pacific, and South America: suit coats are no longer required. This reduced missionary costs for many families and helped missionaries in hot climates reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
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Except that...May 20, 2016
The white shirt and tie is a kind of a signature though. It means that if you looked at a crowded city block, you'd be able to pick out the Elders immediately. I think it's good to create a little distinction and not just blend in to everyone else. Lots of people have wanted to learn about the church and then seized the opportunity because they saw that white shirt and tie and knew that's who they could talk to.
DenaliMay 20, 2016
I agree with CharlieBrown's comments. As a former bishop and as a returned missionary, I believe that the message carried by our missionaries would be better received if not limited to the outdated and rigid dress code of a white shirt and a tie. Altering the code to include a few colors of dress shirts and collared polo's would be a welcome change.