Franciscan

I like the idea of having many different shoes, but in practice this doesn't work for me. I like the idea of having a cute wardrobe full of trendy, feminine, beautiful clothes but that doesn't work for me either. No matter what, I always end up returning to a baseline of simplicity in dress. I think it's a holdout from my Quaker period, but now as a Catholic I would call it Franciscan simplicity.

I really don't mean it as a type of Christian witness to others, but it ends up being a kind of Christian witness to myself. The simplicity comes from the necessity of frugality for me. In some ways I feel like I'm living by a vow of poverty. Most of my clothes come from thrift stores. Usually I wear a simple skirt or blue jeans, and a plain colored shirt. I pair these with usually my Birkenstocks or Vibram FiveFingers. Jewelry usually consists of a miraculous medal, cross, or saint medal, plus earrings that match my shirt. Add ponytail, and done.

Here's a question: if I call it Franciscan witness can I dress down for Mass? I actually like to dress up for Mass, but I don't have very many options.