When you consider all the drama that’s surrounded the Duggar family in recent years, it’s a more than a little surprising that something as seemingly prosaic as Jinger Duggar’s wardrobe would be favorite topic of dicsussion for so many fans.
But for many who have watched her grow from a young tomboy to a happily married woman, Jinger’s clothing conveys so much more than simply her taste in fashion.
Many were surprised when a photo of Jinger wearing pants surfaced on social media, as like her sisters, Jinger was forced to abide by a strict dress code while she was living under her parents’ roof.
In the Duggar household, women are fobidden to wear pants, and instead must sport floor-length skirts at all times, even when engaged in sports or other physical activities.
“We do not dress modestly because we are ashamed of the body God has given us; quite the contrary,” the Duggar girls wrote in their 2014 memoir, Growing Up Duggar.
“We realize that our body is a special gift from God and that He intends for it to be shared only with our future husband… We avoid low-cut, cleavage-showing, gaping, or bare-shouldered tops; and when needed, we wear an undershirt.”
They added:
“We try to make it a habit to always cover the top of our shirt with our hand when we bend over. We don’t want to play the peekaboo game with our neckline.”
When pressed on the matter, the family would always explain that the girls consented to the dress code, having adopted their parents’ views on the importance of modest attire.
Despite that explanation, Jinger defiantly bucked that trend when she married Jeremy Vuolo.
Once Duggar women are married, it’s their husbands, not their fathers who make most of the decisions about their lifestyle.
(Yes, people still live this way in 2017.)
Jeremy doesn’t share Jim Bob’s conservative views on women’s fashion, and as a result, Jinger can wear pretty much whatever she wants.
We’ve already seen Jinger wear shorts, heels, tight pants … and now, she’s moving on to exposed arms.
Yes, she might be conservatively dressed by most people’s standards, but for a Duggar, this look is downright risque.
For the most part, fans have been supportive of Jinger’s bold decision to wear a freakin’ t-shirt, but there are those who find the situation to ridiculous to applaud.
“Now she started to wear pants and dresses that leave arms uncovered,” one follower wrote on Instagram.
“At 23 years old. Because her husband’s told her she can do it. In 2017. Ok.”
We share the sentiment, but it’s important to remember that Jinger didn’t create her family’s bizarre code of conduct–and tossing it aside constitutes a minor act of bravery.
Watch Counting On online for more from reality TV’s most controversial family.
