Abbie (Burnett) Duggar has similar modesty standards as the Duggar sisters. On tonight's episode, we saw her preference for tops with sleeves and high necklines reflected in the wedding dress that she chose. Abbie does, however, wear pants.
“I don’t only wear
skirts,” she shared on tonight's episode. “[For] my profession, I wear scrubs, and some nurses wear
skirts with their scrub tops, but for me, I just found it was more practical to
wear a top with pants.”
The Duggar sisters grew up wearing skirts and dresses, although for actives like skiing and boating, they have been filmed wearing pants. Some of the married sisters, including Jill Dillard and Jinger Vuolo, now wear pants on a more day-to-day basis.
If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).
Photo courtesy TLC
Good for her for wearing pants! If it’s practical than it only makes sense. At this point, the Duggar skirts have gotten shorter and tighter than earlier years. I don’t think they are in any way more modest than pants. I mean, good grief, we know women have legs. It’s ok. Not everything is “indecent”. And good for her for having a career. I hope she keeps it. It seems the older Duggar twins have gotten a flair for independence. Jana is also this way because she has chosen to not yet marry. Good for them. I like it!
ReplyDeleteSince when does getting married mean you’re not independent? Honestly if Jana was married she’d probably have MORE independence, as long as she married someone like Jeremy who would support her in her doing what she wants to do.
DeleteWearing scrub pants to work as a nurse, Abbie you little rebel lol!
ReplyDeleteAt least it’s not a scrub skirt....
DeleteThose don’t seem comfortable at all lol
Over a decade into this show and what are we still discussing? Modesty standards. Wear sleeves, don’t wear sleeves. Wear jeans,don’t wear jeans. High neckline, low neckline...NONE of it has to do with salvation..or being Christ-like...or demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit. They are so hung up on outward appearances I’m condemned they’ve missed the point of what is truly means to be a Christian.
ReplyDeleteHow does talking about modesty standards make you less of a Christian? They talk about them because people ask, have you not read the comment section on this blog? It’s a topic that comes up very frequently. Your comment is very judgmental, and that DEFINITELY isn’t a very Christian attribute.
DeleteIm guessing you meant “concerned” not condemned—LOL! But I completely agree!
DeleteI don't think they've missed the point of being a Christian. I think TLC harps on the modesty standards because it makes them seem like freaks and that increases interest and ratings. TLC, a secular company, has no interest in portraying them as true Christians, with fruits of the Spirit, walking with God, trusting in Jesus, etc. TLC shows what it wants to show.
DeleteThey only talk about it because people ask about it. What are the supposed to do when the interviewers ask them about it? Answer.
DeleteAnd the Duggars have wholly embraced TLC@12:45.
Delete11:57. I never said modesty standards made them less of a Christian.You are adding words that were not there because you were offended at my opinion, which is what this blog is for. Sharing opinions. I said modesty standards have nothing to do with Salvation. And yup@12:23!! I guess I do need to wear my glasses🤓
Delete8:41 -- I am 12:45, and you make a good point.
DeleteThe Duggar's know that modesty standards have nothing to do with salvation. However, they read the Bible and believe God has told them how to dress.
DeleteAbbie’s modesty standards are reflected in the wedding dress she chose. Ok. This is the corundum with “modesty standards”. Now I loved Abbie’s dress. She was a beautiful, sparkly bride in a gorgeous gown. One of my favorites to be honest! But, her sleeves were barely a cap sleeve, and she had quite the open neckline. My point is these standards are so subjective. What one person considers a “sleeve” another sees a “barely there” cap. What one person considers a modest neckline another sees an open, slightly lower bodice. It’s truly in the eyes of the beholder and personal preference. I wish this family would stop with the modesty preaching as several daughters changed their standards quite quickly upon marriage anyway. Maybe the Duggars could move on to something different such demonstrating how they have “loved their neighbor as themselves”?
ReplyDeleteI agree. I wish they're stop the spiel about modesty. Who cares what they decide to wear?
DeleteRe: sleeves. Wearing sleeves is not for the purpose of covering the arms. The idea is to avoid armhole openings which leave undergarments and the chest area visible. Cap sleeves accomplish that goal. A sleeveless top with very small armholes also accomplishes that, though it may be less comfortable than having some sort of a sleeve. I see people around town wearing tank tops that don't even cover half their undergarments. GROSS! Wish those people would have a little more self-respect.
DeleteI really like the Duggars, but I wholeheartedly agree with your point. You can’t pick an arbitrary such as “modesty” and say that adherence equals Christianity. To do so lessens the act of what Jesus did for us on the cross, when He said our debt was paid in full. We can never be good enough. I could wear a burka and still not have a heart right with God. Contrarily, I could wear jeans and a tee shirt and have my heart humbled before God. It isn’t what we wear or don’t wear, people. It’s what we do with what Jesus did for us in Calvary. And as long as ANYONE, Duggars and Bates includes, makes it Jesus PLUS good works, they are kidding themselves and missing the point. Our life shows good works as a thank you for what He has done for us, not because adherence makes us more holy.
DeleteThey loved their neighbors as themselves, by increasing the size of the Bates home.
DeleteIs Abbie currently working as nurse or does she have plans to do so?
ReplyDeleteShe transfered her nursing license from Oklahoma to Arkansas so she probably plans on still working.
DeleteIf Abbie works outside the home, that will be a first for a Duggar. What if it's a nice day and John wants to fly somewhere and Abbie says "not today I have to work"? I have a feeling that response won't work for John
DeleteIf Abby has to work and John wants to fly somewhere, he can go alone, their not joined at the hip. Abby's profession is probably rewarding to her...Jane
Delete8:40 a.m. You seem to view John as very irresponsible and self-serving. The impression I have of John is just the opposite.
Delete12:01. Duggar couples are most definitely joined at the hip.
DeleteIt sounds like modesty standards aren't what they used to be.
ReplyDeleteNo, they aren't. Being on TV has caused them to dress more up-to-date. Just look at the change from the early days of TV to how the Bates girls dress like models.
DeleteGlad they ditched the prairie dresses.
DeleteEvidently, there are no firm rules within their church or religion regarding what they wear, but it's individual families that decide. I remember Jana and Jill going to great lengths to modify work pants into skirts when they were volunteering with the fire dept. I thought pants were much more suitable for that job. I wonder why JB and Michelle object so to wearing pants. It will be interesting to see what Jana decides to wear if and when she leaves home.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was ridiculous that they tried to modifie the firefighter suit. The whole point of the suit is protection. How are they supposed to have their legs protected if they’re wearing a skirt?
DeleteThey only made the skirts for a firefighters’ banquet, not for actually fighting fires in...
DeleteThose pant-skirts were for the dress uniform to wear out in public for events, not to wear on the job in emergencies. But yes, they were a little ridiculous.
DeleteI honestly dont understand why pants aren't always considered modest. Unless they're skin tight or basically leggins, pants completely cover you and youre showing apsolutely no leg at all. skirts and dresses (unless floor lenght) are going to show some leg, plus if its windy you might flash someone.
ReplyDeleteI think it's because they emphasize contours and shape.
DeleteThe maternity shirts several of them have worn have been absolutely skin tight. The level of modesty changes when expecting. I think it's to draw attention.
DeleteThose may be modesty standards for clothing but obviously she & John don't show the same level of modesty when it comes to public displays of affection or sharing personal moments (courtship, engagement, wedding, honeymoon...) on TV. I don't care what you do or don't wear, but if you talk one way and act another way, you've lost me.
ReplyDeleteUm, what pubic displays of affection of theirs bothered you?
DeleteOh please, you act as if they are fogoi way beyond hugging and they are not. Shouldn't they get credit for making their own decisions while not straying from ckre beliefs? I give them credit for that. People like you nit pick and are never happy with them.
DeleteThe Duggars kiss and hug in public way more than most people. It comes across as showing off to see who sees it.
DeleteOh please. I've never seen them do anything that was immodest. I thought the wedding kissing are rather stupid but that was their choice.
Delete12:59 It isn’t showing off. They love each other and it isn’t wrong to show that publicly. Making out or French kissing would be inappropriate. Giving each other little hugs and kisses is just showing love. My husband and I do that all the time. It isn’t about anyone else. We love each other and everyone can see that.
DeleteHow do hugging and kissing come across as showing off?
DeleteModesty standards = wear whatever you're comfortable with. Good idea Abbie.
ReplyDeleteTime 1:47PM Tues 3/12/19
ReplyDeleteITS been a long time since I made a cooment Abby looks very pretty everyday all day.
Glad to have you back Neddy, I had wondered where you were. So many of the names on this site become so familiar & you feel you get to know people. You always have nice things to say about everyone, & I could not agree with you more, I think Abbie does look lovely all the time too. Abbie also has very pretty hair & seems just a perfect match for John. So happy John found this lovely young woman, I hope they have many happy years together.
DeleteHi Neddy! I agree with you.
DeleteI was thinking recently that I hadn't read any comments from you lately! Glad to see you're back Neddy!
DeleteWearing skirts is not just about modesty, though the Duggars make modesty seem like the only reason. My opinion is that pants on women are too tight and show off way too much of their form, or baggy pants make them look manly. The main reason why most women who only wear skirts do so though is because of
ReplyDeleteDeuteronomy 22:5 King James Version (KJV)
5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.
I don’t know why the Duggars never bring this verse up since it is a much stronger argument for wearing skirts than just modesty, which can be subjective. There is much evidence throughout the Bible and history that pants (breeches in the Bible) have always been a man’s garment and skirts/dresses a woman’s garment. Hope that gives you a better understanding.
Problem with trying to apply the Bible to modern day is that what various cultures consider appropriate wear for men and women vary greatly. As I recall JESUS wore a garment that was pretty much like what the Arabs wear today. Looks an awful lot alike a DRESS. Then we have all those judges wearing robes. Are the robes "women's wear"? The Duggars make a great deal of "modesty". Remember Lauren at the shop in Austria?
DeleteThe Biblical admonition is against cross-dressing, not against a woman wearing pants in the modern world. Men wore robes in ancient times, remember?
DeleteNo one wore pants in Bible days. That verse cannot be referring to pants, since no one wore them. It must be referring to something else, like intentional cross dressing.
DeleteMy guess about why the Duggars don’t use that verse to back up their position is because they know they’d be putting words in God’s mouth to claim He ordered women not to wear pants. They have said over. And over. And over that wearing skirts is a PERSONAL choice that makes THEM comfortable, not that it is strictly mandated in the Bible.
I’m a woman who hasn’t worn pants in 7 years since becoming a follower of Jesus, and that’s my preference. It makes me feel covered, feminine, and comfortable. But I simultaneously know that if I wanted to wear decent pants, God would be a-ok with that too.
So in cultures where men wear kilts....which are a skirt technically....they are going against the bible? The bible was written many moons ago and gender roles have changed. Today women work in formerly male dominated professions, participate in sports and are often single parents. I'm sure God will not punish us for wearing pants.
DeleteThe Duggars don't mention Deuteronomy 22:5 because it is not applicable since pants are part of women's fashion. The Bible does not explicitly call for women to only wear dresses/skirts. Men did not wear pants during biblical times as outerwear as done today. Breeches were undergarments that were covered by long robes/tunics.
DeleteUsing Bible verses to determine what is "modest" is a slippery slope at best. I think we should steer clear of that. Modesty is very subjective and what is considered modest varies widely throughout the world to say nothing of what was modest in the past.
DeleteAs others have mentioned, nobody in Deuteronomy-era Israel or Jesus' time wore pants. Everyone wore robes, which IMHO look fantastic on all body types but I would not consider morally obligatory.
DeleteI don't consider myself bound by the rest of the Old Testament covenant either - thanks, Jesus. :)
That said: ever since giving birth, I've been in awe of my female body and what it can do. I feel a hundred times more feminine than ever before.
For the first time, I notice how long swooshy skirts evoke the aesthetic of a mother gracefully swooping down to pick up her baby, and how soft and flowy fabrics evoke the aesthetic of a mother's gentleness - my beloved and newfound gentleness. I've realized that maybe feminine clothing isn't as arbitrary as I once thought.
So personally, I've begun wearing clothes that celebrate that. It's not the same femininity as makeup and heels; in fact those make caring for a baby very difficult, and I avoid them. Neither is it purposefully modest; it's incidentally modest, until I nurse my baby. I would say it's more about celebrating the glory of my motherhood, rather than modestly concealing my special role.
I’m a mom, too. I have to say that for me, the physiological processes for producing a child have not made me feel more feminine. If anything. it was a pain in the neck from beginning to end. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but menopause was a welcome relief from years of misery. It’s been a new lease on life. BTW, long swishy skirts would drive me nuts, as do high heels. Jeans and a sweatshirt are right up my alley. So you see, this whole clothing and modesty issue is completely arbitrary. It’s whatever floats your boat!
DeleteWell yeah pants are more practical at a hospital... Whatever she and her husband are ok with her dressing.
ReplyDeleteOk - if that is the case - did not men wear robes & dresses, so what us the difference with the attire & where do you draw the line on clothes back in there time ? The clothes today - most is awful so if the girls want to be modest - bless them - we need more of it in this world. I am kind of ashamed as to what this country's morals have become. But back in the times of christ they wore short & long robes, so some of it is confusing!
ReplyDeleteEach wedding seems to get more lavish. Anna had a very simple wedding, now we're seeing weddings with a thousand guests and designer dresses. I wonder what the next one will entail.
ReplyDeleteAnd trips out of state with a lot of family accompanying the bride which would be hugely expensive.
DeleteI thought that in addition to modesty concerns for females, the Duggars believe men and women should dress differently because they ARE different. So men look like men and women look like women.
ReplyDeleteThat is a subjective standard rather than grounded in biblical fact. What men and women wear today differs greatly from when the Bible was written. Pants designed for women are feminine. Jana, Jill, Jessa, Jinger and Joy have each been shown wearing pants and long shorts when it's more practical than dresses or skirts. Jinger and Jill now regularly wear pants. They wouldn't wear pants or shorts at all if they felt it went against the Bible or that pants/shorts were inherently unfeminine.
DeleteI was curious and looked up Growing Up Duggar on Google books. On page 19 of the 2016 edition, they wrote that the girls based their modesty standards on what they considered feminine and that is why they wore feminine skirts and dresses. They state that Deuteronomy 22:5 and 1 Timothy 2:9 as the basis for their convictions. On page 15 of the 2014 edition says that they know that their modesty standards may differ from others that share their Christian values. They don't mention whether they consider pants as too masculine to wear but do explain that they wear their skirts below the knee because scripture states in several places that the thigh is nakedness.
DeleteEither way, modesty is the important thing. Especially in these last days.
ReplyDeleteLast days? Don’t count on it. I remember hearing that line from the pulpit 50 years ago!
DeleteLast days?
DeleteThey've been preaching "last days" since 1000. Don't hold your breath.
DeleteLast days
DeleteThat’s not true, so glad I can wear pants and a man doesn’t own me or tell me what to wear. Last days isn’t true, that’s impossible