On Tuesday morning, the new garment cut for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was released online and in stores.

Endowed church members wear garments as both a reminder of covenants they have made and as a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ.

The gospel topic section under “Garments" says that “The garment is worn underneath members’ normal clothing for the rest of their lives, serving as a daily physical reminder of their covenant relationship with God.”

Earlier this year, the Church introduced a sleeveless, tank-top style of garment initially available in places with warmer climates like Africa and South America.

On Tuesday morning, the new garment style became available in the United States.

At the Deseret Book in Rexburg, long lines into the distribution center lasted throughout the day as people rushed in to buy new garments.

“We were expecting a pretty big rush,” said Brian Steffen, Deseret Book store manager.

Junior Owen Heap said he was aware of the new garments existing in other places, but was kind of surprised when they became available Tuesday morning.

“I knew that they exist and were going to be releasing,” said Heap. “I heard that they were in other countries for like a year now, so I kind of knew they were eventually going to release.”

Heap was at Deseret Book with sophomore Josh Robertson to get the new garments. Heap said he went earlier in the day, but the lines were just too long.

“I came in earlier today and the line was literally like 100-200 people long, and I just left and gave up,” Heap said. “And then our buddy texted us, he works here, ‘the lines are short right now’ so we came back to come get them.”

Other BYU-Idaho students expressed excitement about the new garments.

“I think the new garments are great, even if only for making wearing a suit and tie on Sunday a cooler and less hot experience,” said sophomore Christian Rogers.

Rogers mentioned that garments have changed styles in the past, and the new sleeveless variety is another example of that.

“I had always joked with my family about my wish for a tank-top style garment, but I don’t think I ever seriously expected it,” Rogers said. “I felt fine with it doctrinally, because I’ve researched the way garments have adapted traditionally to current modest trends.”

Kacee Eaquinto, who attended BYUI from 2016-2018 and currently lives in Rexburg with her husband, Austin Eaquinto, a senior studying software engineering, said that the updated style has no bearing on the doctrine and reasoning behind garments.

“The idea of shoulders being covered was culture, not doctrine. Modesty is of the heart and how you present yourself before the Lord,” said Eaquinto. “It has nothing to do with kneecaps, thighs or shoulders. I don’t think the new style is worldly, I think it’s recognition that many cultures and people have many different needs and desires.” 

According to junior Kadyn Hall, what people wear in terms of garments is ultimately up to them.

“I think it really just depends on preference,” said Hall. “However, I think it’s still super important that we don’t judge others on what they wear, especially the type of garment. The Church is trying to make wearing garments [easier] and more comfortable for so many people.”

Steffen said many people were excited about the new garment styles, hence the long lines at Deseret Book.

“It’s just exciting to see so many people coming in to make a purchase,” Steffen said. “It’s been well-received from the crowd we’re seeing.”

The Church website says that “in our day the garment encourages modesty,” but the reasoning is not limited to that.

William Stanz, a business management entrepreneurship major who graduated BYUI in April 2025, said that he’s glad that there is still new revelation going on, but it can be easy for people to misuse them as an excuse to dress immodestly.

Stanz said that the sleeveless garments make sense for warm, humid places, but he found it odd that they became available in places like Utah and Idaho in late October.

 “Kind of odd for Utah to get them first at the very end of October when the weather is cold. I will say, this isn’t affecting my testimony in any way,” said Stanz. “God has a plan and I trust in it.”

According to Eaquinto, the important thing about this is the fact that people are excited about the garments and what they symbolize.

“I think it’s wonderful how many people are excited to wear their garments,” Eaquinto said. “Two inches less of fabric or not, they are a reminder of our covenants and a protection from the adversary.”