Veronica Partridge, a Christian mom and wife from Oregon, went viral when she was 25 after writing an essay, “Why I Chose to No Longer Wear Leggings.”
Though the post was first shared in January 2015, it is still intriguing because it raised many important questions.
The mom of one gave up leggings and yoga pants because they cause men other than her husband to think “lustful thoughts.” Additionally, it said that this clothing item “creates a stronger attraction for a man to look at a woman’s body.”
The woman from Bend, Oregon, was five years married to Dale Partridge, an SEO and motivational speaker.
Veronica said that she was not telling people what to wear, but it was inspired by conversations she had with friends. She was sure in her decision after Dale admitted that it was “hard not to look” at women wearing yoga pants.
That is why Veronica made a “personal vow” to wear thin, form-fitting yoga pants or leggings at home, not in public. In the post, she revealed, “The only time I feel (for myself) it is acceptable to wear them is if I am in the comfort of my own home or if I am wearing a shirt long enough to cover my rear end. “
She also wanted to set an example for her daughter, as she wrote, “I want her to know her value is not in the way her body looks or how she dresses, but in the character and personality God has given her.”
This brought the mom of a toddler lots of attention, and she appeared on “Good Morning America” and was featured in numerous publications.
While many accused her of “sl..t-shaming,” Veronica insisted her conscience was clear. Many Christians also asked her how she felt about wearing a bikini on a beach, while others told her that she was shaming victims of assaults.
One person shared, “How about you learn to control your thoughts? Why do women constantly need to make it easier for men?”
Another chimed in: “Or you know, we could all just wear giant bags over our bodies with only our eyes exposed.”
Talking to “People” later in 2015, Veronica said, “I was never trying to start a movement or try to tell women how to dress.” She added she was “just sharing my personal decision on my personal blog.”
Veronica admitted that she was jealous two years before this post went viral. After attending marriage counseling at the couple’s church, she wrote, “I learned that most of the arguments initiated by myself were because of my ridiculous jealousy, being unreasonable, and passive aggression.”
A writer and founder of “No Shame Movement,” L.P, said this attitude only further objectifies women.
Talking to “Refinery29”, L.P. said, “The church is still heavily invested in policing and controlling women by making them believe they will be considered ‘respectable’ if only they follow XYZ rules.”
The writer added, “If they don’t, they are responsible for whatever happens to them.”
Some bloggers responded by writing “Why I Chose To Keep Wearing Leggings.”
Where do you stand on “lustful thoughts” and clothing items like leggings or yoga pants?
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