It’s time to go shopping.
Both of our daughters need a new church dress or two for winter. I have reluctantly realized that we are probably past the days of the cute, smocked dresses – although I might be able to persuade my seven-year-old to wear one! My nine-year-old definitely has her own taste in clothing styles; it’s sometimes different than mine, but thankfully still age-appropriate.
I recently heard a speaker on the radio addressing the topic of modesty. One of his statements stuck in my mind: “Let the arrows of your fashion point to your face.”
I find this advice helpful for myself as well as my daughters. I want the clothes we buy and wear to direct attention to our face – not other parts of our body. Somehow I don’t think many fashion designers have quite the same view in mind!
I’m grateful for department stores that still carry dresses that allow my girls to look like….girls – not teenagers or young women. So with that in mind, we’ll make a few stops and see what we can find. If we have any success, I’ll share a picture next week!
It is few and far between though. 🙁 I have to go to the thrift store more often to find things. What dept stores do you like?
What a neat quote ~ insightful advice!! Have fun shopping with your girls ~ hope you find some delightful treasures and bargains for them to wear!
Sherry,
We usually start with Belk and Dillards – if we have a coupon or there's a good sale. We don't have a Macy's close by, but we will shop there when we visit my parents. (My mom's good about collecting coupons for Macy's!) Marshalls will occasionally have some nicer dresses, although I find more there around Easter than I do this time of year. Hamrick's is also a possibility, although it's a bit more of a drive. I definitely check my favorite consignment store from time to time to see what's available.
My nine-year-old wears about a size 10 dress; I'm guessing once she moves up in size some it will be even more difficult to find modest dresses. I certainly have a VERY difficult time finding them for myself!!
I hate the fashions that make little girls look like teenagers or adults or punks etc. Little kids don't have to wait for anything anymore, and I don't think it's good for them. Besides which, as Christians, most of those clothes are immodest to begin with. I'm not looking forward to the day my little girl doesn't want to wear the clothes I pick out for her 🙁 Modest clothes are hard to find – I end up sewing most of my daughter's clothes at this age (6) and she is still happy to wear them (thankfully!!). Enjoy your shopping!
Clara,
I agree that it seems most children don't have to wait for anything in our culture. One thing that I learned from my dad was that our children need to have things to look forward to; if I let them have all their wants/privileges/desires fulfilled at eight, what will there be to offer them when they're 13?
We have been very careful about what we allow our girls to do – even in the small things! They're not allowed to wear nail polish yet (except occasionally when they play "dress up") or have their ears pierced – which makes them different from many of their classmates – which isn't a bad lesson in itself!!
I understand that each family makes its own decisions; if it's a Christian family, those decisions are hopefully based on the Word of God, prayer and wise counsel. I am responsible for rearing my own children and pray that I can do it in a way that brings glory to God.
Sorry – that's probably more than you wanted this morning! 🙂
Have a great weekend!
This is Angela at "This Parenting Adventure" and "Coupon Makeover"…we feel the same way at our house – wanting our little girls to LOOK like little girls with the way they dress.
I have usually found great dresses at the thrift stores, and cheaper than making them!
Recently I have found deals at Burlington Coat Factory (good for matching dresses in different sizes) and Hamericks – both places are very reasonably priced.
The way that we dress our children (or what they may choose to wear), not only affects themselves, but influences those around them as well. Whether good OR bad!
It is getting more difficult to find the "right" kind of clothes for my dd9 who is in a size 12-14 girls. Don't even go there with bathing suits!!!
I love Lands End for my 10yr old. Cute modest dresses, & you can usually find them on sale or in their "overstocks" section.
We usually hit the consignment stores, Goodwill and other thrift stores. Usually the ones located in "nicer" parts of town have better selections. Unfortunately, it's usually hit or miss. We do normally find some things though. We buy larger sized clothes for the length. I can't stand to see a little girl with a dress or skirt up to her hiney. But that's a person preference.
I saw this site with darling dresses…not too expensive, but I don't know if they are big enough for your girls: http://www.theplaydress.com/
Tracey, I enjoyed your reply to my comment, it was not too much at all! 🙂
My parents too raised me to have to wait for certain things (eg. a proper leather handbag was something we weren't allowed to have until we were into our teen/young adult years – before that we had other kinds of bags to use; also my mother never allowed us to wear shoes with any kind of 'high' heel until we were older – until then we had to wear only flats), and I'm making my children wait for some things too – it makes them so much more special! And they don't have to be big things (like you said), even the simple things can become a great pleasure because they are not common anymore, but rather something to look forward to.
And yes, I totally agree – each set of parents is responsible to God for their decisions; we should try to never judge each other by our own yard-stick, because everyone has different convictions according to where they stand before the Lord. 🙂