Runner in a sports bra was stopped by a woman who said she was ‘giving men the wrong impression’ — her comeback left her red-faced
What someone chooses to wear has nothing to do with what other people might think or assume. But for Instagram creator Abbe, her running outfit made a 50-year-old woman think it might give men the wrong impression. While she was running, the stranger waved her down to let her know what she thought about her sports bra and shorts. Abbe didn't let the comment slide. She shared the encounter on her account @abe__leigh on Monday, September 14, 2026, and revealed that the response she gave the woman left her with little to say.
Abbe explained that she was wearing a sports bra and shorts while out for her run on a 90-degree day. A roughly 50-year-old woman waved her down and asked, "Aren’t you worried that your outfit is going to give men the wrong impression?" adding, "Unless that's your intent." According to her, the elderly person emphasized the word "intent" deliberately. She was caught off guard by the question, but quickly came up with a response. She asked the woman, "Let's say you were walking down the street and there was a door open; would you think that was an invitation?" The stranger clearly said that would be trespassing. That's when the creator made it clear that the same applies to her body. If her outfit were somehow seen as an invitation for a man to harass her, that would be just as wrong as trespassing.
The person was left speechless, and Abbe chose not ot argue further. She noted that even if the stranger's intentions were good, the comment she made was not right. No one is entitled to another person's body, and no one has a right to blame someone's clothing for their actions. She pointed out that while looking at someone because they're attractive is normal, it doesn't permit anyone to do something inappropriate. Abbe noted how even her dog knew how to control himself around squirrels, baseballs, and other people. She believes grown men should be just as capable of controlling their own actions. Women being judged or shamed for what they wear is sadly nothing new. In another frustrating encounter, another woman witnessed an older man on a Melbourne tram calling a young commuter "disgusting" because her dress exposed her legs.
The woman was initially hesitant to intervene because she feared he might react aggressively, but she eventually spoke up and reminded him that a woman's clothing is her choice and not something for others to police. Speaking up is what makes the actual difference. Viewers in the comments praised Abbe for speaking up. @necronomicharm wrote, "I can't believe she flagged you down to say that. I'm older than that woman, and I'm flabbergasted." @stillbailey_ said, "Love your response to her comment. I’ve never heard this open-door response, but will be using it in the future!" @strengthbyleah added, "What a thoughtful response on your part. I could not have come up with something so tactful on the spot!"
To see more of her content, you can follow @abe__leigh on Instagram.