Preparing for a mission comes with a surprisingly long list of decisions. How many white shirts are enough? Which shoes will hold up? What clothing works for the assigned climate? And one of the most common questions for elders and their families: How many ties should a missionary bring?
For most elders, six to eight ties is a practical starting point. That provides enough variety for regular missionary attire while leaving room for other essentials. It also allows ties to be rotated instead of wearing the same few designs repeatedly.
However, there is no single number that is right for every missionary. The assigned mission, local climate, mission-specific dress expectations, available luggage space, and personal preferences should all influence the final number.
Most importantly, review the “What to Bring” instructions in the Missionary Portal or call packet before purchasing or packing missionary clothing. Current Church guidance directs missionaries to those mission-specific instructions because local leaders may adjust dress expectations for climate and culture.
The Practical Answer: Bring Six to Eight Ties
Here is a simple way to determine how many missionary ties to pack:
| Number of ties | Best for |
|---|---|
| 5–6 ties | Missionaries who want to pack lightly or whose mission-specific list recommends fewer ties |
| 6–8 ties | The best overall balance of variety, rotation, and luggage space |
| 8–10 ties | Missionaries who enjoy more variety or expect to wear a tie nearly every day |
| More than 10 | Usually unnecessary unless the missionary has extra space or specific instructions |
Our general recommendation is to begin with six to eight well-chosen ties rather than filling a suitcase with every tie the missionary owns. A smaller collection of versatile, durable ties is easier to pack, organize, and coordinate with white shirts, conservative suits, and dress slacks.
This recommendation is practical advice from MatchSox—not an official quantity established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The missionary’s individual packing instructions should always take priority.
Why Six to Eight Missionary Ties Usually Works
An elder missionary may wear a tie frequently, but that does not mean he needs a different necktie for every possible outfit. Six to eight ties generally provide enough options for a reliable rotation.
It provides variety without overpacking
Missionaries already need to fit shirts, dress pants, shoes, toiletries, study materials, seasonal clothing, and other necessities into limited luggage. Ties are relatively small, but an oversized collection still creates unnecessary clutter.
Six to eight designs provide enough variety to keep daily outfits from feeling repetitive without taking over valuable suitcase space.
It allows ties to rest between wears
Repeatedly tying the same necktie in the same spot can eventually create wrinkles and wear around the knot. Rotating several ties distributes that wear across the collection and gives each tie time to return to its natural shape.
Missionaries should completely untie their ties after wearing them rather than leaving the knot tied between uses.
It provides a backup for stains or damage
Missionary ties may be worn during meals, travel, outdoor activities, teaching appointments, and long days away from home. Even a carefully maintained tie can eventually be stained or damaged.
Packing one or two additional ties beyond the basic weekly rotation ensures the missionary still has an appropriate option available if another tie needs to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced.
Check the Mission-Specific Clothing List First
Before building an LDS missionary tie collection, carefully review the instructions provided for the assigned mission.
Tie requirements may vary based on climate, culture, and the type of missionary work performed in the area. In certain approved teaching areas, elders may be permitted to wear a plain blue or white dress shirt without a tie during regular missionary activities. However, current Church guidance still calls for a white shirt and tie at the missionary training center, Sunday worship services, temples, leadership and zone conferences, baptismal services, and other Church meetings.
The mission-specific “What to Bring” list may also provide suggested quantities or request an item that is not necessary in every mission. Only pack a specialized item, such as a white tie, when it appears in the missionary’s instructions or is recommended by mission leadership.
When the general advice in an online packing guide differs from the missionary’s call packet, follow the call packet.
What Kinds of Ties Should a Missionary Bring?
The best missionary tie collection is versatile rather than repetitive. Instead of purchasing six versions of nearly the same tie, choose a balanced group that can coordinate with different suits, slacks, sweaters, and dress shoes.
A practical six-to-eight-tie rotation might include:
- Two or three solid-color ties
- Two subtle patterned ties
- One or two understated floral ties
- One darker backup tie for more formal occasions
For example, an eight-tie missionary collection could include navy, burgundy, muted blue, dark green, a subtle stripe, a small plaid, and two restrained floral patterns.
This provides variety while keeping the overall wardrobe polished and professional.
What Colors Are Best for LDS Missionary Ties?
Versatile colors are usually the best investment because they work with multiple outfits. Good options include:
- Navy blue
- Burgundy or maroon
- Muted blue
- Dark green
- Gray
- Brown or tan
- Black
- Subtle combinations of these colors
Navy, burgundy, gray, and dark green are especially easy to coordinate with white dress shirts and conservative suit colors. A missionary can also include one or two lighter ties for variety, provided the colors and patterns remain professional and non-distracting.
Not every tie needs to be solid. A small plaid, narrow stripe, subtle geometric design, or restrained floral pattern can add personality without overpowering the missionary’s appearance.
What Makes a Tie Appropriate for a Missionary?
Current Church guidance says that ties and socks should be simple in color and design and should not distract from the missionary’s message. Ties should also be conservative in size. Designs containing pictures, characters, political messages, or national affiliations are not appropriate, and bow ties and bolo ties should not be worn.
That does not necessarily mean every missionary must wear plain black or navy ties. A subtle floral or patterned tie may still work when its colors, scale, and overall appearance are understated.
When evaluating a possible missionary tie, ask:
- Does it look professional with a white dress shirt?
- Are the colors easy to coordinate with multiple outfits?
- Is the pattern subtle rather than distracting?
- Is the tie a conservative width and length?
- Can it withstand regular use?
- Is it easy to pack and care for?
When there is uncertainty about a particular style, the missionary can ask the bishop, stake president, mission president, or another appropriate Church leader for guidance.
Solid, Patterned, or Floral Missionary Ties?
A good missionary tie bundle can include all three styles.
Solid missionary ties
Solid ties are dependable and easy to coordinate. Navy, burgundy, gray, green, and muted blue ties work with a wide variety of suits and dress pants. They are also less likely to conflict with a patterned suit, sweater, or other part of the outfit.
For missionaries who do not enjoy thinking about outfit combinations, several versatile solid ties can form the foundation of the rotation.
Patterned missionary ties
Small stripes, plaids, dots, and geometric designs can add variety while maintaining a professional appearance. Look for patterns with restrained colors and avoid designs that are oversized, extremely bright, or likely to become the focus of the outfit.
Floral missionary ties
Floral ties can be appropriate when the pattern is subtle and the colors are conservative. Muted blue, green, burgundy, tan, or navy floral ties can add personality without appearing too casual.
MatchSox offers cotton ties in solid, floral, and patterned styles, making it possible to build a varied missionary tie collection without purchasing several nearly identical designs.
Quality Matters More Than Quantity
It may be tempting to purchase a large number of inexpensive ties, but a smaller collection of dependable neckties is often more useful.
Missionary clothing should be durable, easy to care for, suitable for the local climate, and easy to pack. Those principles are part of the Church’s current general clothing guidance.
When choosing the best ties for missionaries, pay attention to:
- Strong stitching around the seams
- Fabric that maintains its shape
- A length that fits the missionary properly
- A width that looks proportional and conservative
- Colors that coordinate with several outfits
- Construction that can handle repeated tying and packing
The most useful missionary tie is not necessarily the most expensive one. It is the tie that looks appropriate, coordinates easily, holds its shape, and can be worn repeatedly.
Should a Missionary Bring Matching Dress Socks?
A missionary’s tie and socks do not need to match exactly. The goal should be coordination rather than making every accessory the same color.
Solid dress socks in black, navy, gray, brown, or another conservative color can be worn with multiple ties and outfits. A pair of navy socks, for example, can coordinate with solid navy ties, blue floral ties, burgundy ties, and many patterned neckties.
The Church’s current guidelines apply the same general principle to both ties and socks: colors and designs should remain simple and non-distracting.
Coordinating solid socks can help complete the outfit while remaining versatile enough for daily wear.
How to Pack Missionary Ties
Ties can develop stubborn creases when they are folded tightly or placed underneath heavier items. To help prevent wrinkles:
- Completely untie each tie before packing it.
- Roll ties loosely beginning at the narrow end, or lay them flat in a packing organizer.
- Avoid placing heavy shoes or books directly on top of them.
- Use a lightweight tie case or tie organizer when suitcase space allows.
- Unpack and hang the ties soon after arriving.
- Follow the product’s care instructions when cleaning.
A tie rack or compact multi-tie hanger can also help keep a missionary apartment organized without taking up much closet space.
Should Families Send More Ties Later?
It is not necessary to predict every tie a missionary might need before the departure date. Begin with a practical six-to-eight-tie collection, and add replacements later when necessary.
Additional missionary ties can be sent as:
- Birthday gifts
- Christmas gifts
- Care-package additions
- Replacements for stained or worn ties
- A small way to refresh the missionary’s wardrobe
Before mailing clothing internationally, check the cost, delivery time, customs requirements, and any mission-specific package instructions.
A new tie can make a useful missionary gift because it is practical, easy to pack, and likely to be worn regularly.
Save 20% on a MatchSox Missionary Tie Bundle
MatchSox offers a discount for missionaries and missionary families building a tie rotation. Customers purchasing four or more ties can receive 20% off by entering the code MISSIONARY20 at checkout.