My husband wants to wear shorts on most of our trip. However, we plan on seeing some of the major cathedrals: St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey in London, the Duomo in Florence and in Siena, and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. His shorts cover his knees, but I am not sure if the restrictions to get into these cathedrals are about not showing knees or not wearing shorts.
Posted by
Fort Collins
14 posts
It's a modesty thing. These are churches, not museums. Pack a pair of those "zippy" pants and wear them on those days when you need to observe a dress code. If it's hot, zip off the legs and stick them in your bag, or even a pocket.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
Shorts, even ones below the knees, are generally not permitted inside working cathedrals.In practice you may be able to enter with shorts below the knee, it depends on the mood of the guards that day. But as a matter of respect your husband should wear long pants. Even though they are major tourist attractions, they are also important holy sites where services are held through out the day. Would you wear shorts to a wedding or funeral service? Wearing long pants isn't an unreasonable request.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
39 posts
On a trip to Italy in 2005, my husband wore cargo pants with the zip off legs from REI. He just carried the "legs" in his day pack and zipped them on before we went in to the cathedrals. He plans to do the same on a trip to France and London this August. I wore skirts that hit just above the knee and carried a scarf to cover my shoulders. I found that "modest dress code" is usually enforced.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
I would think that out of respect for the Cathedrals and Abbey's you would wear long pants. I totally agree with the above post when they said that it isn't asking to much.
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
It is all about respect in these places of worship. You would probably get away with long shorts - I saw a lot worse when I visited St Marcos in Venice earlier this year. Unfortunately a lot of people forget these buildings are places of worship and behave appaulingly - loud, pushy etc. I don't think the clothes are as important as your behaviour. The fact you even ask the question to me shows you understand what these buildings are all about and don't want to offend.
Posted by
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
241 posts
For ladies the usual request is to cover the shoulders. The big no-no is exposed bra straps. We only observed strict enforcment at Asissi and St Peter's.
Posted by
OP
Scottsdale, AZ
5 posts
Thank you for the feedback. I agree that the important thing to remember is that these are holy places. I like the zip pants/shorts idea.