Veronica Partridge, a Christian blogger, has caused a stir online after publishing a blog post about her decision to stop wearing yoga pants or leggings publicly because they cause men other than her husband to think "lustful thoughts".
Partridge blogs frequently about her family (she's a mother of one and is married to Dale, a CEO and motivational speaker), her Christian values, and her life in Central Oregon.
Her post “Why I chose to no longer wear leggings”, published earlier this month, has now sparked considerable debate online.
To date, the blog entry has been shared over 69,000 times on Facebook and generated thousands of comments online, and it even led to Partridge defending her decision in an interview on Good Morning America.
She begins the blog post clarifying that she is not trying to tell people what they can and cannot wear, and that the decision to not wear yoga pants or leggings came about after a discussion with friends.
The conversation was about leggings and how when women wear them it creates a stronger attraction for a man to look at a woman's body and may cause them to think lustful thoughts. God really changed my heart in the midst of that conversation and instead of ignoring my convictions, I figured it was time I start listening to them and take action.
She then wrote that after sharing her thoughts with her husband, he admitted to her that it was "hard not to look" at women wearing yoga pants. This reinforced her view.
After talking to Dale, it hit me a lot harder. If it is difficult for my husband who loves, honors, and respects me to keep his eyes focused ahead, then how much more difficult could it be for a man that may not have the same self-control? Sure, if a man wants to look, they are going to look, but why entice them? Is it possible that the thin, form-fitting yoga pants or leggings could make a married (or single) man look at a woman in a way he should only look at his wife?
After thinking it through, the Christian blogger decided to make a "personal vow" to only wear thin, form-fitting yoga pants or leggings at home, not in public.
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. I also want to set the best example of how to dress for my daughter. 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.
Although many people online argued that her decision was "slut-shaming", Partridge said her "conscience is clear".
The blog entry received both support and strong criticism. Some supporters quoted Bible passages and commended her for "honouring God and her husband". One commenter said: "When a woman wears leggings and its all on show, they may as well not wearing anything from the waist down, in fact, it's probably more sexually enticing than not wearing anything from the waist down in many cases."
Meanwhile, others criticised the entry for feeding into the idea that what a women chooses to wear dictates how men behave. "How about you learn to control your thoughts?" said one commenter. "Why do women constantly need to make it easier for men?"
You can read the full blog-post here on her website. BuzzFeed News has contacted Partridge for comment.