Hello future sister missionary!!
Before my mission, I stressed far too much about clothes/shoes/accessories etc!!! So I’ve written this to hopefully help save some other sisters a bit of trouble! I served in the France Lyon Mission, so these tips will be geared more towards Western European Missions :)
Clothes
I’ve always wondered how Elders deal with wearing the same
thing every day. Maybe that is why they are always so obsessed with their ties...anyway
here’s some tips on how to avoid feeling like a cartoon character with a closet
full of the same one outfit while still having a practical wardrobe.
Thrift Store:
Thrift Store:
The majority of my mission clothes came from thrift stores. Most
of the clothing held up for my entire mission, but I had to replace some of it.
Make sure you find quality stuff. All your clothes will get beat up, so it’s
not necessary to buy everything new.
Stuff not from
Downeast or missionary mall:
It’s great to match with the other 40 sister missionaries in
your mission, but sometimes you might feel like a clone. It’s fun to have some
cool, vintage-y items that only you own.
So go ahead and buy that fun skirt that no one else will have! You can
find these items in thrift stores if you are good at looking. Or you can find
them online on websites like Etsy! Here’s a link to my sisters’ Etsy shop for
inspiration!
Asos:
If you are stressing to find skirts that are long enough, go
look on Asos!!! My first transfer of my mission, I was introduced to these
wonderful skirts and dresses. So naturally for Christmas, my mom sent me a bag
full of lovely, modest, comfy skirts and dresses from Asos!! True, a lot of
missionaries have these skirts, but they go with anything—including that fun,
vintage stuff that you find at thrift stores or online! Perfect for those
I’m-just-gonna-put-on-the-first-thing-I-see days.
Stay dry and warm
You see, when it’s raining and all the people go inside,
missionaries stay outside. You will
spend a good part of the day outside, so don’t be cheap when it comes to rain
and winter gear. Three essentials for me: Hunter Boots, Totes Umbrella and waterproof
raincoat.
Umbrella:
Totes, medium size. Don’t get a cheap umbrella. You’ll end
up replacing it over and over.
Raincoat:
My brother-in-law shared with me a great way to test if your
raincoat is truly “missionary waterproof.” Stick the sleeve of the coat under a
running faucet for 10 minutes. If the water seeps through, return it!! If not, it is satisfactory! I thought it was
a bit over-the-top, but I put my raincoat to the test. It kept me dry for all
18 months. I had a ¾ length, hooded, black raincoat from Urban Sierra Designs.
I loved it!
Rain boots:
I had two pairs of Hunter boots on my mission. One was
half-calf length that worked well with knee-length skirts and a pair of ankle
boots for all skirt lengths.
Put some warm socks in these rain boots and they double as
waterproof winter boots!! I’ll never buy winter boots again! These are pricey,
but worth it!
Remember Umbrella + Raincoat + Rain boots = happy missionary!
Happy Feet
I know that everyone wants to look all cute and still be
comfortable... Well its only sort of possible. Here’s my two cents on shoes.
Sunday/Conferences:
1 nice pair of flats for Sundays and Conferences. Yes, just
one. Let’s be honest, there are H&Ms and such, and if you are like me,
you’ll want to buy things when you are there. Who goes to some place like
France and doesn’t buy anything? Save some money and space in your suitcase to
buy things when you get there.
Walking/Everyday:
2 pairs of comfortable shoes (you could get away with one).
Yes, the ugly kind. There are various levels of ugly. You don’t have to go
really, really ugly. But you also don’t
want to walk around all day in a little pair of flats. I loved my shoes from
Earth Origins!
Boots:
See ‘’stay dray and warm’’
I hope some of these tips were useful!! I hope you all have
wonderful missions!! Don’t worry too much about the clothes and such! Bring
what you think you should, and make due with it!! It’s kinda like how we show
up to our missions and we hand over to the Lord all the knowledge, talents, experience,
etc. that we have, and He makes it work. Actually He does miracles with the
little that we give Him. So, if any of this has stressed you out, forget it and
HAVE A GREAT MISSION!!
