-- at some point in my late teens/early 20s (speaking as if I left those years behind long ago and I'm not only about to turn 26 at the end of this year) my Catholic mother introduced my newly-awakened Catholic self to 'modest dressing'. The fad lasted about a year between us before we gave up on the pretence of everyday elegance we claimed the midi skirts afforded us - we soon returned to our old faithful jeans and t-shirts, and I to my shorter hemlines as I went through university. The minis I tend to gravitate towards now, while not impractically short, do allow me to show off my best assets. I'm still debating what the point is in dressing to 'show off' and whether it's morally 'okay' (does it lowkey/highkey fuel negative body image issues etc), but that's another faith-flavoured kettle of fish. . .

While I fight that inner battle, here are a few short shift dresses for a variety of occasions, which I think reflect an element of the elegance I once feverishly pursued. There really isn't much to say about them other than I will forever love fairly modest (eyyy) pops of colour and lines. Lots of lines.