Back in July of 2017, Jinger Duggar stunned fans of her family by wearing pants in an Instagram photo.
Up to that point, Duggar women of Jinger’s generation had exclusively worn long skirts, and the pants pic was widely viewed as an act of defiance.
To the chagrin of Jim Bob and the utter joy of many Duggar fans, Jinger sparked a rebellion–and started a trend.
Not long after her sister posted the photo, Jill Duggar began wearing pants, and once again, fans rejoiced.
Jill was the first of her sisters to marry and have kids of her own.
She’s often regarded as the spitting image of her mother, a doting wife and dedicated stay-at-home mom who lives to cater to her family’s needs and obey her husband.
So when Jill tossed the family dress code in the trash, it served as an indication that the new rules are here to stay.
And a new photo of the 26-year-old that appeared on her husband’s Instagram page this week might send the strongest message yet:
Derick Dillard posted the above photo, along with a caption reading:
“My beautiful wife speaking to a group of young ladies at a school today about God-centered relationships!”
Jill has been wearing pants in public for several months, but the fact that she neglected her family’s well-known dress code in an environment such as a school speaking engagement is being viewed by many as a bold rejection of her strict upbringing.
As In Touch Weekly points out, the response from fans has been ecstatically supportive.
“Yesss with the pants free the legs ladies!” commented one fan.
“Omgggggggg I am deceased. It’s not even a super long shirt!!!” wrote another.
“They have finally realized they can have their own freedoms. You can be modest and still wear pants. Clearly shown,” said a third Instagram follower.
Jill and her sisters are still stuck in a bygone era in the sense that they strictly adhere to rules set by their husbands, but fortunately, the new men in their lives are far more lenient than their father.
Derick might not be as progressive as Jinger’s husband, Jeremy Vuolo, but it seems he’s come around to the idea that there’s nothing blasphemous about a pair of pants.
It’s a minor step forward, but it represents a whole new world of freedom for the Duggar women.
Watch Counting On online for more from reality TV’s most controversial family.
