How to look great on your mission trip

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How to look great on your mission trip is possible even if you’re wearing a mandatory t-shirt all day.

Being stylish and a missionary doesn’t always seem to go hand in hand. But how we dress and look is people’s first impression of us.

I have been a missionary for over 20 years, and when I look put together, I generally get better received. It has helped me to have opportunities and occasions to meet influential people as I have traveled.

But how do you do that when you’re going on a mission trip? I know it’s not like you’re going to Fashion Week in Paris, although that’s an excellent place for someone to share the gospel.

The first way to do this,

Look clean

I know some styles right now are dirty or grunge. But this does not always transfer to another culture. Dirty-looking clothes in another country could mean being unhygienic and poor.

Don’t forget your shoes because in some cultures clean shoes are essential.

When I have gone on mission trips with Americans, they don’t think about their shoes. But some places would never go out without cleaning their shoes. It is almost a daily practice to clean their shoes.

So on your mission trip remember to keep your shoes clean.

Here is a short list for looking clean on your mission trip.

Clean shoes
Clean socks with no holes in them
Matching socks
Clean feet that are well-manicured (trimmed and taken care of)
No stain clothing

Ensure your shoes do not smell. Remember that some hot climates also have high humidity, so ensure your shoes can withstand the weather without making you a stinky feet monster.

Most of the men in my family wear Spary shoes without socks. They become so smelly in the summer in Texas that they could be crab bait.

If you know your shoes could smell during the trip, do something to ensure they won’t. Get powder or order insoles that help. Just make sure you won’t have stinky shoes. You could need to take your shoes off at the door in many locations on mission trips.

An example would be Japan. They never wear shoes in the house. They are generally very tidy. Socks with holes are sewn up. They are clean and polished. So it’s important to respect their culture and do the same.

Next in the way of how to look great on your mission trip is,

No holes in clothing

I love a pair of ripped jeans, but I never take them on a mission trip.

Holes in clothing are only fashionable in a few places; in most cultures, the opposite is true. Even on an outreach in Dallas, Texas when I was wearing a pair of black jeans with holes a person asked if I needed money? It was because I was wearing those jeans, so now in the States I won’t wear them.

Manicured hands

Trimmed nails that are well taken care of. I like to wear nail polish, but for a mission trip I only use clear coat or a very pale pink color. And I always make sure to take the polish with me, chipped nails are not a good look anywhere. But generally when traveling your nails and hands can get very dry so I always take polish and remover with me.

Tasteful accessories

Choose your accessories wisely.

Mission trips are not the time to wear your most expensive jewelry.

Keep that 8-carat diamond engagement ring at home.

Do opt for small, tasteful jewelry that works with your outfits. My favorite affordable and sustainable jewelry brand is from Amazon. Pivoi has classic looks at a wonderful price. (This is not an affiliate link)

Have a color palette.

Stylist advice is to always have a color palette that works with each other on mission trips.

A stylist told me that having and taking a color palette can help you look nice and put together when you travel.

Pick 3-4 colors that can mix and match. Use a color palette that looks good on you.

Mix and matching will help you look put together and polished.

Just make sure you feel comfortable and confident in what you are taking on your mission trip.

Forget the jeans that you have to pull up every 10 minutes.

Culturally Respectful Clothing

Know the culture and style of the country. Most countries outside of the Western world dress very modestly.

Generally, long shorts or no shorts. Long short would be to the knee. Skirts to the knee or lower. No excessively tight clothing. No workout clothing.

Dress for climate and season

I’m sure you look great in jeans and a button-down shirt. But during the hot season in Asia, you will look like a hot mess. If you are going to high-humidity areas, then think about the fabric you are wearing.

Take Thailand for example, I have specific clothing just for Thailand. No cling clothing that is linin and cotton fabric will make you feel more comfortable with the climate.

If you are going to Asia, here is my Thailand pack list that will help you get ready for your mission trip.

Here is my game changer for how to look great on your mission trip.

Plan your daily outfits.

When I started doing this years ago, it completely changed everything. I stopped overpacking (well, mostly; I love to be overprepared).

This tip has been the most important for me to look good when I travel. Here is what I do when I plan an outfit. I put the entire outfit together, even down to my underwear and socks.

If you are wearing a mission trip t-shirt on multiple days, add the bottoms, socks, underwear, and accessories you will wear with it that day.

Please note on those days, you might shower and change in the evening, so you need two outfits for that day. Basically, you will need to dress for dinner.

Here is a free outfit planner printable just for you.

Recap of how to look great on your mission trip:

Look clean
Manicured nails
Tasteful accessories
Have a color palette
Culturally Respectful clothing
Dress for the season and climate
Plan your outfits

Bonus Tip: I love wearing skirts but I learned the hard way that skirts in hot climates or places in summer with no a/c can mean-chapping!

So always be prepared if you are wearing skirts. Make sure you have the right underwear or get some friction cream to help.

I am going to leave you with this verse from Paul,

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings”

I Corinthians 9:22-23

When I go on mission trips, I always try to think about this verse and the way I dress to be a small representation of the gospel. I think about the culture and place I am going too and dress in a way that will honor Christ and those I am going to serve within their culture.

Let me know the ways you are preparing for your mission trip in the comments.