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DEL.ICIO.USShop dresses up views of fashion
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Julia Kilgore had a hard time finding suitable formal dresses for her daughters to wear when they were in high school.
Nothing, it seemed, was age appropriate. Too many strapless backs, thigh-high slits and plunging necklines.
Too much Britney Spears. Too much exposed skin. Way too much immodesty.
“Sixteen and 17-year-olds shouldn’t be wearing that,” Kilgore thought at the time. “Some women shouldn’t be wearing it, either.”
Last week, we talked in a small shop off Main Street in downtown Lilburn. Kilgore and her married daughters - Paula Roberts of Snellville and Natalie Giddens of Lilburn - unwrapped about 100 dresses that had just arrived. The dresses are a variety of bright colors and variations of satin, all fashionably modest.
Finally, Kilgore has realized a dream she’s had ever since her girls were prom-age at Parkview High. She’s opened The Yellow Rose, a boutique whose name reflects her native state and her favorite flower. The shop specializes in modest formal wear for girls and women. Prom dresses will range from $150 on the low end to $500 or so on the high end. Bridal gowns are in the $250 to $1,000 range.
“I felt a need for this,’ said Kilgore, who has lived in the Lawrenceville/Lilburn area since 1975.
I do, too.
Some 12-year-old girls dress like 18-years-olds, and too many 18-year-olds dress like 30-year-olds. Too much of it is raunchy, and it’s not empowering. It’s shameful. A few years ago, AJC Gwinnett News did a photo spread on high school girls shopping for prom dresses. Some ensembles were too risqué to print.
Kilgore and her daughters have spread the word about the shop’s theme to private Christian schools. They expect The Yellow Rose to also appeal to young women in public schools who can’t find modesty at the local mall.
“A lot more girls would dress modestly if they had the opportunity,” said Giddens. “Girls think they are doing the guys a favor if they dress [revealingly]. I think most guys would prefer that girls dress modestly.”
She thinks about her last statement. “Some guys would.”
Kilgore will buy her dresses wholesale from Beautifully Modest, a private online retailer in Orem, Utah. When the business started almost a decade ago, some retail manufacturers laughed at the concept, said Phyllis Nielsen, the company marketing director.
Now there’s competition.
“Even now, some of them think it’s funny,” she said. “There are women out there who have certain standards that they are trying to stick to, and it can be very difficult. They want to be beautiful and elegant and don’t feel like they have to show a lot of skin to do that. They want to cover up.”
Kilgore and her daughters say they know many situations in which young ladies end up ordering online because they can’t find a variety of modest formal wear in stores. Others have even flown out west to places like Arizona to shop in specialty stores.
“We know quite a few who have done that, especially for weddings,” Giddens said.
Now, maybe they won’t have to.
The Yellow Rose, 79 Main St., Lilburn, initially will be open only by appointment. Details: 770-315-6823.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
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By Logan
February 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Well, it’s about time - the last thing we need are Lohan, Spears and Hilton wannabe’s. Now parents have a legit option when purchasing for appropriate attire for their daughters.
By Miriam
February 19, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
Yes, teenaged boys DO want girls to dress modestly. Following our high school prom, our fifteen year-old son sat down and wrote thank-you notes to the handful of girls who were dressed modestly.
Hurrah for The Yellow Rose!
By DYJ
February 20, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Great idea! I hope Yellow Rose is still around when my now 2 year old is old enough to shop there. Sadly, you can’t totally blame teenage girls for how trashy they dress when it’s their parents who let them go out looking trashy.
By local mom
February 20, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
I appreciate your stand and hope you thrive there. good location! the blue roo down the street is a popular place for Christian schools to go to.the owner is a gossip Id bet she will support you if she isn’t already just don’t tell all to her. its about time girls understand that reveling screams desperate or slut and beautifully covered is beautiful and will turn heads every time. no guy wants to spend their life with b spears.
By Charles
February 20, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Short dresses, revealing attire, etc. are vivid attempts by irresponsible persons in society to fixate individuals on their lower nature, sex, early in life…
Bad habits, ways, means, learned early in life are difficult if not impossible to alter…
By FrumMom
February 20, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
This is great news. My 2 daughters, ages 7 and almost 11, dress modestly (as do I - religious reasons). It is impossible to find clothing for them that is appropriate (sleeves below the elbow and appropriate necklines, skirts below the knee). I remember going into JC Penney one year for uniform skirts, looking at what they had, and asking the saleswoman if there were any that would actually cover their behinds! The internet has been my only option, and with waists of 18” and 20”, there’s been a lot of trial and error for fit.
I will definitely be looking to see what The Yellow Rose has. I hope it’s more than just formals - I’m desparate for a place to get clothing that will not make my girls look like prosti-tots!
By b.o.o.h.o.o.
February 20, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
How about a whole line of clothes for teenage girls 12-18 of ALL SIZES! Most cute clothes are for little girls; once they get past a certain age and size, the next jump seems to be to college-girl type clothes. There is just not a lot available, modest or not, especially dresses. We had to look high and low for 5th and 8th grade graduation dresses. and even the little girl clothes don’t go to sizes that many girls wear. Thanks.
By sunshine
February 20, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Great Idea ! Hopefully one day Yellow Rose ( or another store) will one day carry a full line of attire to cater to young girls and woman who know that you don’t need ( and shouldn’t) to put it all out there. It’s a shame what young girls are wearing today and shopping for girls is no easy task with all the trashy wear out there.
I will def. stop by and check it out.
By LOVE THIS!
February 20, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
I love this idea - classy, elegant and yet still beautiful! I will be honest - I have a pretty good body and shape, but I also have some scars on my back and shoulders that I would like to cover. This makes it very HARD to find clothing that covers what I want, but is still alluring! One of my favorite designers is Ralph Lauren (wish I could afford more), because of this same idea - his dresses usually have ample coverage, but still are beautiful, elegant and often sexy!
By LOVE THIS!
February 20, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
I love this idea - classy, elegant and yet still beautiful! I will be honest - I have a pretty good body and shape, but I also have some scars on my back and shoulders that I would like to cover. This makes it very HARD to find clothing that covers what I want, but is still alluring! One of my favorite designers is Ralph Lauren (wish I could afford more), because of this same idea - his dresses usually have ample coverage, but still are beautiful, elegant and often sexy!
By LOVE THIS!
February 20, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
I love this idea - classy, elegant and yet still beautiful! I will be honest - I have a pretty good body and shape, but I also have some scars on my back and shoulders that I would like to cover. This makes it very HARD to find clothing that covers what I want, but is still alluring! One of my favorite designers is Ralph Lauren (wish I could afford more), because of this same idea - his dresses usually have ample coverage, but still are beautiful, elegant and often sexy!
By Martha
February 20, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Great idea. As a teacher and parent, I am tired of seeing girls dressed as hoochies and looking like they should be working the street corner. This “look” is repulsive.
By Mark
February 20, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Like it matters. All sweet little girls turn into w******* anyway later in life.
What a masterful piece of journalism!!
By DB
February 20, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
I think in many cases, a guy wants HIS girl to dress modestly — and all the other girls to dress like tarts :-)
My daughter’s boyfriend talked about the revealing dress his prom date wore a couple of years ago. He wryly commented that it was “hard to know where to look, because it was all just out there on display, yet if he dared to actually look, he’d be smacked!” He said it was a very uncomfortable dance!
I’m constantly in shock at what some moms let their daughters wear out of the house! Elegance is vastly underrated, these days.
By HS Teacher
February 20, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
As a HT teacher, I dread warmer weather. Both boys and girls come to school with no regard to the dress code. When was the last time a student was sent home for inappropriate attire?
Sometimes the teachers are not much better— never learned how to dress professionally I guess. When I was in college both men and women were taught how to Dress for Success as a teacher. We are the only example some teens may see.
I hope high waisted pants and skirts come back; along with longer tops. You should not display your under ware for all to see. That goes for girls and boys.
Dressing modest is good, and I hope this store is around when my DGD age 4 needs formal attire.
When the men teachers ask me for advice, I say, turn down the setting on the A/C. They will cover up when they start to shiver.
By Lee
February 20, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Some women and their daughters have some class and self respect. Most don’t. There is a need for appropriate clothing for women and girls who want to think and dress for themselves, and not to dress (or undress!) only in downward competition with other women and girls.
By Becky
February 20, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
What’s wrong Mark, can’t find a nice girl that will put up with your ugly attitude? Or is it that your darling daughter turned out that way??
By Mark
February 20, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Becky
I’m currently dating 3 women. I use them like shake and bake bags….
And I have no children. I have no time for snotty nosed little spawns….
By lady
February 20, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
I think it’s sad the way girls and boys dress, I’m sick of looking at boys underware and girls panties and bras, it’s just plan nasty and they think it’s HOT,I see moms dress the same way, The parents give them money to buy these nasty outfits. The boys and no respect for girls because girls have no respect for themself, AND PARENTS HAVE NO RESPECT EACH OTHER SO WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OUT OF THE CHILDREN.
By What a jerk!
February 20, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Mark,
Sorry for what your mother did to you.
Sincerely, Women Everywhere
By NICK
February 20, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter how you dress up the girl, conservative or not, in the end the dress will come off.
The dress doesn’t make the girl a slut, the girl does….
By Kathy
February 20, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Way to go Julia ! I am so excited about the Yellow Rose. Finally a place to find classy not trashy dresses for ladies of taste. I know your store will be a huge success! Congratulations to you, Natalie, and Paula for getting the Yellow Rose off to a fabulous start!
By TEE
February 20, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
I personally think that the concept is good- however the reasoning is not. While it is true that everyone should dress in appropriate garb for their age group- I just don’t agree that is adds to the self respect value of young ladies. When I was in middle school, and high school- the biggest tramps I had ever seen were some of the most prim and properly dressed ladies ever- the same for the “preppy” guys- they were screwing everything that moved! While in contrast- some ( not all in either example ) of the ladies dressed like tramps were just not giving it up! One of the most urban dressed guys I knew was actually a VIRGIN- sagging pants, doo rags and all! Go figure that! I say all of that to say a tramp is a tramp no matter HOW modestly dressed. That’s real!
By TEE
February 20, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
@ NICK- EXACTLY!!!!!
By Becky
February 20, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Mark, I feel sorry for these women..
By Uh.um...
February 20, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Times change. Let’s face it. When I was in high school, girls dressed nice. To me, the hair was the biggest shocker-Think Kennesaw Claw. When I went to college, the sexiest thing on campus was a tanned hottie in her cut-off kakhis, long-sleeved fraternity shirt, and hiking boots. Man that was great. Now I’m married and I wished that the wife dressed hotter.
Things change. Body types change. Girls are looking like Dolly when they should be looking like Pippy. Just go to the mall. Are they 13 or 18? You can’t tell anymore. Trust me, the dress doesnt make the slut. In high school, it was the nerdiest, most quiet couples who were knocking holes in the headboard and doing backflips off the ottoman. The hot chics and normal couples weren’t getting THAT crazy.
By Prom Date
February 20, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Why must guys like Mark and Nick put a trash spin on a blog that is trying to be helpful and positive to young girls?
Mark if you were really dating 3 women I am sure you would not have the time to look at blogs such as this.
Same goes for you Nick, any normal heterosexual man would not waste his time with something like this.
Unless you are looking for dating tips or a dress for yourselves then that is a whole other situation.
By NICK
February 20, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Angry Prom Date,
First off, unless you went with your first cousin, you obviously were not invited to ANY prom.
Secondly, I never wrote that I dated three women, but kudos to you Mark! I did it before I was married and it got expen$ive, but my ROI was well worth it!
Thirdly, I have the same right as you to express my opinion, whether you agree with it or not, so please take your feminazism and man-hate on someone else….
By Cynthia
February 20, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Thank You God! There are people out there that think like me! I’m sure we will see Mark and Nick on the sex offenders list in the near future!
By NICK
February 20, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Cynthia,
And I’m sure we’ll see you on the next Weight Watchers commerical, oh wait, you have to be fat and pretty…
Maybe Subway then………
By KJ
February 20, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Following our high school prom, our fifteen year-old son sat down and wrote thank-you notes to the handful of girls who were dressed modestly.
Does he happen to own any Judy Garland albums?
By NICK
February 20, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Cynthia,
I am positive you need not worry about any sex offender bothering you….
By Prom Date
February 20, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Sorry Nick but I had a great time at my prom - am happily married to a man and we have with 5 kids and 2 grandchildren.
My comment if you choose to go back and read was to Mark about the 3 women.
I do find it quite odd that men get on these blogs that are supposed to help young women and start trash talking and demeaning women.
If you had children, especially daughters you would look upon this as a positive step towards their self-esteem. But seeing that you probably have not reproduced and are taking your anger out on women on these blogs I am truly sorry for you!
By Rico
February 20, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Ladies, Just ignore the ignorant, foul mouthed posters and they’ll go away. Judging by the number of entries this guy must not have much excitement in his life. Posting insults is the highlight of the day.
By Mark
February 20, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
All you women are simply mad at yourselves for mistakes you’ve made in the past. Plus the fact that you have to go to Omar the tentmaker for your attire. If most of you women had to haul azz, it would take 3-4 loads….
By Rico
February 20, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
I think this is a great idea and long over due. I like the name of the store as well!
By KJ David
February 20, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
HABS INSIDE/OUT no like the Colord follks, as we very Canadian here, me and Teach rule the waves,ya, all cool wit it, lmao.
By Conservatively Dressed
February 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
I am SO glad a store like this is finally available! I’m a 24yo thin yet slightly curvy Caucasian, and I definitely agree with whomever before said it’d be a good idea to expand the store to include all types of clothes and not just formal wear. It is almost impossible for me to find clothing- especially pants- that aren’t so revealing and low cut my underwear shows from the back or I don’t have to go out and buy a special bra or something. I still somewhat have a “teenage” body but the juniors clothes are almost always slutty looking and misses stuff is just too big! I love Ralph Lauren’s designs as well and would buy it more if I could. I feel that i have a nice body, but that is something I only want showed off behind closed doors!-
And to add to a previously made comment— some of the most conservatively dressed girls I know are also the biggest w******* i know (Remember the phrase lady on the street, freak in the bed? Yeah…), and especially in high school the preppiest dressed guys were banging every cheerleader in the county. On the contrary, one of my best friends dresses like (what I call) a 10 cent hoe— and yet she’s a virgin. I’ve threatened to send her into “What Not to Wear” on more than 1 occasion.
However, if more places would move to promote conservative dress over the trash I see some teenagers in, maybe that would get the ball rolling in reversing the # of people who think it’s awesome to dress trashy.
By Prom Date
February 20, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
OMAR THE TENT MAKER HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH Oh Mark you are so witty and funny Omar the tent maker hahaha - Mark you should quit your day job of playing on the internet on company time and focus on a career in stand-up! You have some talent!
By f(x) = 36x^2
February 20, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
I hate to break it to you, Miriam, but your teenage son is GAY.
By Logan
February 20, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Ah, the vainness and the frailties and the foolishness of the comment trolls. Seriously, how hard is it to find women to give it up? They’re a dime a dozen (or, evidently, available for 3 at a time for some trolls). If you’re goal is getting in someone’s pants with a good ROI, hookin’ is legal in Vegas. Let those who choose the road less traveled (quality as opposed to quantity) stroll down it - to Judy Garland or Linkin Park - without tripping over the T&A.
By Someone
February 20, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
This blog is supposed to be about the Yellow Rose, not ROI or trolls or hookin. Not even about people being gay. Lets just comment on the success of another great entreprenuer.
By rachele
February 20, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
thanks to this store. wish they had been around when i was in high school.bring modesty back!
By Mark
February 21, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
I would focus my career on stand up, but I have no time. Finding guys for your sister takes up too much of it.
By Lavinia
February 22, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Great idea and good for you, for taking a stand and doing soemthing about it. The way the fashion industry wants our children to look these days is far from modest. There is definitely a market for what you are presenting. Thank You