TikTok’s "Green Dress Girl" Turns Mom Guilt into a Ripple Effect of Generosity

Kari Felkamp, a TikToker from the Chicago area, experienced a moment familiar to many mothers: the pang of guilt when considering a purchase for herself. While shopping for an outfit for her husband’s work banquet in Mexico, she discovered a stunning, metallic green halter dress with pockets at Macy’s. The dress fit her perfectly, accentuated her best features, and concealed her insecurities – a significant confidence boost after undergoing weight loss surgery and excess skin removal. However, the $269 price tag gave her pause.

"I’m not going to spend that much on myself for one event," Felkamp confessed in a TikTok video. "I have no problem spending all this money on my son if he wanted to play football and it was 500 some dollars or whatever, but to spend that much on myself, you just feel bad about it."

She ultimately opted for a more budget-friendly black and white dress on sale for $75, which looked good, but didn’t quite capture the same magic as the green gown. Little did she know, her candid moment of "mom guilt" would soon resonate with millions and spark an extraordinary wave of generosity.

Within 48 hours, Felkamp’s video had garnered over 4 million views and countless comments from viewers across the globe. The internet collectively decided that she deserved that green dress. Offers to send her money flooded her comments section. Someone even suggested a coordinated effort where everyone chipped in just a dollar.

Felkamp clarified that her hesitation wasn’t about affordability. "People just assumed that I just couldn’t afford it," she explained. "It was never about that. It was more about the mom guilt." The overwhelming support and encouragement inspired her to use her platform for good.

As a participant in the TikTok Creator Fund, Felkamp earns money based on video views. She created a follow-up video, urging her audience to watch it, so she could use the generated revenue to purchase the coveted green dress. While her plan began to materialize, a serendipitous twist occurred.

Betsy & Adam, the New York-based designer behind the green dress with pockets, took notice of Felkamp’s viral video. Moved by her story, the company offered to gift her not only the green dress she had fallen in love with but also two additional dresses from their collection. Felkamp received her stylish bounty on February 12th.

Now equipped with the dress of her dreams and extra money from her TikTok campaign, Felkamp felt compelled to pay it forward. She sought inspiration from her online community. Social media users began sharing their own struggles to afford dresses for special occasions.

A commenter suggested hosting a raffle, and Felkamp embraced the idea. People also offered to donate directly through Venmo, allowing her to accumulate over $1,000. She decided to select four winners who would each receive $250, a $100 Macy’s gift card, and a discount code from Betsy & Adam.

Participants submitted their names and shared stories about events they hoped to attend, ranging from family reunions and meeting long-distance partners to helping young women afford prom dresses.

One winner, Patricia, entered the raffle to secure extra funds for her daughter’s prom dress. Upon winning, she selflessly proposed splitting her winnings with a mother battling Stage 4 cancer who needed a dress for her daughter, as well as a girl attending prom with her brother, who has special needs. Patricia, who works with special needs adults, explained, "I just want to pay it forward…as much as I can help."

Another raffle winner expressed intentions to assist students who cannot afford prom dresses. What began as a plan to help four individuals rapidly expanded to impact at least six, with the potential for more. "It’s kind of a ripple effect," Felkamp observed.

Reflecting on the green dress that ignited this chain of generosity, Felkamp highlighted its perfect fit and ability to boost her self-esteem. “I knew that I wanted something that would kind of hug my waist," she said. "I wanted something that was going to kind of accentuate the things that I like about myself and hide some of my insecurities, and the dresses do that so well.”

Her journey to finding the perfect dress was also intertwined with her personal transformation. Following weight loss surgery where she lost about 160 pounds, she underwent plastic surgery in November 2024 to remove excess skin. Having once worn a size 24, she now confidently fits into a size 8.

Felkamp recalled her husband’s reaction when he first saw her in the green dress at Macy’s. "My husband’s jaw dropped," she shared. "Clearly, he could tell that I loved it and felt confident in it too."

Jen Brown, Vice President of Content at Macy’s, released a statement expressing the company’s desire to celebrate Felkamp’s story. "We hope this experience creates an unforgettable memory for Kari that she will cherish forever," Brown said.

Macy’s further surprised Felkamp with a shopping spree on March 2nd. She was paired with a Macy’s stylist and presented with a curated selection of clothing and accessories. Felkamp saw this opportunity as a chance to push herself beyond her comfort zone and experiment with new styles. "I feel like a lot of women do that," she said. "We don’t try things that would push us out of our comfort zone. For me, being in literally a brand new body after having almost 10 pounds of skin removed, I don’t know what’s going to look best on my body."

The TikTok saga has earned Felkamp the affectionate nickname "Green Dress Girl," which she embraces with pride. She is deeply touched by the outpouring of kindness that stemmed from her initial post, and the experience has served as a powerful reminder that it’s okay to prioritize self-care.

“You shouldn’t feel guilty,” she said. “You are worthy of these things just as much as everybody else is that you’re doing things for.”

Although she will not debut the green dress at the corporate event until the end of March, Felkamp plans to continue hosting raffles and assisting those in need. Individuals interested in donating or following her journey can do so at www.account.venmo.com/u/KKamptt and www.tiktok.com/@kkamp.