Do the kids also have to cover shoulders and knees in churches?

In Italy, it is a wiser choice for the ladies to cover their knees and shoulders. In Italy, many beautiful churches are also tourist attractions. You're probably OK with lesser attire in the larger cities, but in the smaller cities and towns where things are a bit more traditional, you may be challenged by the staff at the door. We saw this in San Gimignano during mass.

A 15 year old is adult enough to dress appropriately and will be expected to do so in the churches that require it.

It is a matter of RESPECT that if you KNOW the dress code then you DRESS appropriately on the days you will be visiting churches. She will not suffer in light weight capri pants that end 3 inches lower below the knee.

The ONLY exceptions I saw in Rome were little babies in sundresses and toddlers (under 5) in shorts and t-shirts.

I find it frustrating and very "American tourist" to KNOW what a culture expects but try to bend the rules as much as you can just because you do not like it.

Well said, Jaclyn!!

15 year old girls often look mature! Don't take any chances, and have her cover her knees and shoulders.
She can wear light weight capri and also a cotton shirt to cover her shoulders. She can always take off the shirt after visiting the churches, and have her wear a cooler sleeveless shirt under the other one, so she can take it right off when going outside.
Have a wonderful trip!

On our 06 RS 2 week tour, there were 4 teens...the girl wore capris or longer cool fabric skirts and short sleeve (not sleeveless) tops into churches...the boys had on their longer walking shorts and shirts...no tanks on anyone...my 20-something daughters also wore capris, and had on sleeveless tops on the days we visited St. Peter's and San Marco; they very simply and quickly wrapped their shoulders in lovely scarves...very appropriate. We were there in late June and July, and yes, it was HOT, but regardless of the heat, you must dress according to the guidelines. Take along some scarves and longer attire for those times that necessitate showing proper respect. We don't appreciate skimpy attire in our churches, and neither do the Europeans. It's quite simple really.

Hi Sasha. Well already some "interesting" responses to your post. Few things get people more agitated than the question of appropriate dress. As for your specific question, in most cases in Florence and Tuscany she should be OK with the shorts. The shoulders can easily be covered with a light silk scarf or a regular t-shirt. Larry's point about entering a church during mass is well taken. When we encountered churches with services underway we chose not enter anyway. Aside from the Vatican the other place that has obvious "clothes" police is St. Mark's in Venice. Other than that, the crowds of loud speaking North Americans were a far bigger problem and much more disrespectful than the occasional teenager in Bermuda shorts...Cheers

Jaclyn, I totally agree!

Aside from the advice you've received already, as a mom who traveled with my 18 and 20-year-old daughters in Italy in August here goes: at some of the more famous churches/cathedrals there were two lines- one for people who had their knees and shoulders covered and one for those who didn't. The latter was a lot longer, whereas with our shawl- covered shoulders we zipped right in. It is so easy and takes no room to just stash a big pretty scarf in your daybag. The "guards" at the door are not fashion police! The people in the shoulders- showing line got to wear these brown paper shawl things.

My biggest tip- get her some longer tank- style or babydoll sundresses. And some just past knee- length capris...if you get the tissue weight material they are cooler than capris anyway. We all ended up wearing light sleeveless dresses most of the time. Or try a couple floaty full skirts with tees or tanks. In both cases you'll only have to deal with the shoulders!

Sasha - the dress code in Italian churches is very simple. For all but the smallest of children, knees and shoulders must be covered. Short sleeves serve this purpose. As for the shorts - sure you can take your chances that the clothing "police" won't be there. And you can also choose to ignore the dress code and take your chances that someone will be too busy and go ahead and let your daughter "sneak" by. But if you are really looking for good advice and you really do want her to be allowed into all the major religous sites then she should wear capris or a light summer skirt that falls below her knee. She will still be cool and she will be dressed appropriately. She can wear her shorts (of any length) when you go to visit Pompeii, hike the CT, etc.

Karen, I would be curious to know which specific Churches had two lines...one for people with their shoulders and knees covered and one one for those that did not? While it's impossible for anyone to say that they've visted all of the "major churches" in Italy, we did visit 20 or more this year and saw no such lines. Just curious...

Your daughter's short sleeve shirt is fine--it's covering her shoulders. As you said, the church does not want tank tops or spaghetti straps. I saw several women getting into St. Peter's last year with the longer bermuda shorts, but I would be safe and wear the capris. I wasn't sure, so I wore a skirt (with my Nike shoes) that was just above the knee--no problem. She could wear the skirt over some shorts and just stash it into your backpack afterwards. At St. Mark's in Venice, they will hand you a paper shawl at the entrance if they think it is necessary. Have a great time making memories with your teen--she will never forget this trip with mom.

I'm sorry I did not mean to upset anyone... my daughter is packing and I just want to give her a better idea of what to pack for when we will be going into churches.. so I'm sorry if I upset anyone on here.

Here is what we observed in late June in Venice, Florence, Siena, and Rome. Shorts or skirts at the knee were OK. Tank tops, spaghetti straps, No go. Capris were fine. short sleeved shirts OK. At St. Mark's, they have attractive paper sheets they give you to sort of wrap sarong sytle around your waist if your shorts are too short, or you can drape around your shoulders. In Siena they give out paper ponchos for the bare shouldered. In Rome, they just tell you NO. There wer lots of vendors selling scarves. Some of the smaller churches also have dress codes, but aren't strictly enforced. We saw lots of shorts, even at St. Peters, just not short shorts. It was also very hot when we were there.

She needs to be respectful and dress accordingly. You are a visitor in another country so I don't think it's appropriate to wear shorts in a church. Capri pants would be fine. Try not to be the ugly Americans who don't care and will do whatever they want at any cost!!! Have fun!!!