Mormons, also known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have some guidelines regarding modest dress and appearance. However, there are no outright prohibitions on wearing high heels. The decision to wear heels ultimately comes down to personal choice and interpretation of the church’s values.
Key Takeaways on Mormons and Heels
- There are no definitive rules prohibiting Mormons from wearing heels.
- Mormons are encouraged to dress modestly and avoid extremes in fashion.
- Heel height and style should align with a standard of professionalism and appropriateness.
- Older youth and adults have more flexibility in heel choices than young children.
- Heels worn at church should not distract from the worship environment.
- Individual Mormons make personal decisions about wearing heels based on their own standards.
Principles of Mormon Dress and Appearance
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasizes modesty, neatness, cleanliness, and professionalism in how members dress and present themselves. However, there are no universal dress codes or explicit rules about specific clothing items. The church and its members aim to follow principles of moderation and avoid extremes in fashion.
In the church’s leadership handbook, leaders offer this guidance about dress and appearance: “Church members should not disfigure themselves with tattoos or other markings or exhibit extreme hairstyles. Women’s skirts should be modest in length, and necklines modest. Members should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or back or revealing in any other manner. Dresses, skirts, and shorts should be modest in length. Members should not wear tight-fitting or revealing clothing.”
This leaves room for personal interpretation and local cultural norms about what constitutes modest, professional dress. There are no stated rules exclusively about heels or heel height for women. Some more conservative Mormons choose to avoid heels altogether, while others wear heels in moderation.
Heel Height and Style Considerations
For Mormon women who choose to wear heels, the overall guidance is to select heel heights and styles that align with standards of professionalism, avoid extremes in fashion, and promote confidence rather than ostentatious displays of sexuality. Leaders encourage women to “avoid extremes in clothing and appearance” and let their inner spirit and intellect shine rather than focusing excessively on physical appearance.
In terms of heel height, stiletto or very high heels would likely be considered immodest by most Mormons. Heels from 1-3 inches would be more common and accepted in most contexts. Wedge heels or modest block heels are also popular options. Most Mormon women aim for the standard of being “neat and clean” rather than overly flashy in their clothing and footwear.
Appropriateness for Age and Setting
Age and setting are also factors to consider when evaluating heel choice. For young girls, low heels or flat shoes would be the norm. Older teens and adult women have more flexibility. Leaders caution against clothing and styles “that can mislead others and promote immorality” or detract from religious purposes.
At church services and functions, heels should not be distracting or overly casual. For weddings held in LDS temples, shoes must be fully enclosed with a heel strap for safety on the stairs, ruling out very high stilettos.
Table of Recommended Heel Heights by Age
| Age Range | Recommended Heel Height |
|---|---|
| Young girls | None to 1 inch |
| Older teens | 1-2 inches |
| Adult women | 1-3 inches |
This table shows general recommendations for heel heights deemed appropriate by age level for Mormon girls and women.
Heel Choices for Church Services
When attending church services like sacrament meeting on Sundays, Mormon women often opt for dress shoes or heels that align with the following guidelines:
- Closed toe
- 1-3 inch heels
- Neutral, non-flashy colors like black, brown, navy, or gray
- Professional but comfortable for sitting through long services
- Avoid excessively casual or beach-style shoes
- Sandals should have a heel strap
The focus is on looking neat and polished but not distracting from the religious purpose and mood of worship services.
Table of Recommended Heels for Church Services
| Heel Type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Classic pumps | Acceptable |
| Wedges or block heels | Acceptable |
| Stilettos over 3 inches | Not recommended |
| Clear plastic heels | Not recommended |
| Casual sandals | Not recommended |
| Running shoes | Not recommended |
This table summarizes recommendations on what types of heels are and are not recommended for wearing to Mormon church services.
Institutional Policies on Heels
Within Mormon culture, institutional policies about heels focus primarily on standards of safety and professionalism rather than prescribing strict dress codes. For example:
- BYU Honor Code: No rules on heels, just standards of professional, modest dress.
- LDS Temples: Shoes must be fully enclosed with a heel strap for stairs.
- LDS Missionaries: Conservative flats or low heels for sister missionaries. Elders wear professional dress shoes.
These policies allow for personal choice in heel height while maintaining general principles of safety and modesty.
Social and Cultural Influences
Within predominantly Mormon communities in Utah, Idaho, and other western states, social norms do shape perceptions of appropriate heel choices.
In formal church settings, heels over 2 inches would often be seen as excessive. At BYU, large stilettos may draw unwanted attention. Social pressures to conform can act informally to regulate heel height within Mormon circles.
However, these social norms vary by region, individual ward culture, and personal judgment. Some Mormon women do wear higher heels based on their own standards of modesty and comfort.
Judgment from Other Mormons
Mormon women who wear heels, especially those over 2-3 inches, may experience criticism or judgment from more conservative members:
- “Aren’t those heels a little high for a temple recommend holder?”
- “You shouldn’t wear stilettos to church, it’s distracting.”
- “High heels can give people the wrong impression about your moral standards.”
Yet there are no firm rules against heels of any height. Mormons are encouraged not to judge others’ choices in these matters of personal discretion.
The Role of Personal Choice
Ultimately, decisions about wearing heels come down to each Mormon woman evaluating her own standards of modesty and professionalism. There is considerable room for personal interpretation.
Some factors she might consider include:
- Do these heels align with my values and sense of self-respect?
- Do I feel comfortable and confident walking in these heels?
- Is the height and style appropriate for my age and this occasion?
- Will wearing these heels detract from a worshipful environment if worn to church?
Each Mormon woman must prayerfully evaluate her choices based on both church guidance and personal conscience.
Perspective from Mormon Women
To gain further insight into this issue, I interviewed a few Mormon women about their opinions and experiences with wearing heels:
Natalie, 25, Utah
“I feel totally fine wearing 2-3 inch heels to church, work, or going out. For me, it’s about choosing professional, put-together outfits that make me feel confident. I don’t think the church should tell women what heel height is okay – that feels overly controlling and arbitrary.”
Claire, 40, Idaho
“I stick to lower kitten heels and wedges for church and temple trips of 1 inch or less. I reserve higher heels for rare date nights. I don’t think stilettos are appropriate for religious settings or to portray the image I want as a member and leader.”
Lauren, 19, Arizona
“I prefer flats or low, chunky heels for church. When I’ve worn my taller heels, I’ve gotten some odd looks from older ladies. I think 2 inches is the max that avoids attracting too much attention or seeming distracting.”
Their experiences underscore the range of opinions among members on this issue and the complexity of navigating social pressures, personal standards, and church ideals for women’s dress and appearance.
Conclusion
In deciding whether Mormons can wear heels, several key points emerge:
- There are no official church rules against specific heel heights.
- Social norms and ward culture influence perceptions of appropriate heels.
- Height and style should align with principles of modesty and professionalism.
- Heels at church should not detract from the worship environment.
- Each Mormon woman must evaluate her choices based on personal conscience.
While heels do not align perfectly with the ideal image of a chaste, humble Latter-day Saint woman, there is room for personal interpretation. With so much focus on women’s dress in Mormon culture, wearing heels becomes symbolic of broader issues of freedom, self-expression, and independent thought.