modesty and travel

These are some fashions that teenage girls are wearing in Italy this year. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=teen+fashion+italy+2018&id=CA7432464C5E2B40F1A98145D3C5B05B4CB8981B&FORM=IQFRBA

You should dress like a normal teenager just like other Europeans, there's nothing wrong with that at all. The only thing to take into account is context - you want to dress more modestly (like shoulders covered) when you're in a church, for example, or a very nice restaurant that is more formal. Otherwise, Europeans your age will be dressed similar to you since fashion is pretty global these days. In normal situations (not church or a formal setting), I would focus more on just dressing "neat" rather than modest. Meaning well put together - clothes fitting well, not overdoing anything with logos, that kind of thing.

Since you're even asking this question, you already strike me as a very thoughtful person who will make good clothing choices....but don't be afraid to be yourself. Whatever you wouldn't wear here, don't wear it there either. Steer in favor of just being neat which may mean a little more formal than just a tank top when going out to eat, etc.

Thank you!! This was helpful!

Yes, the only issue will be if visiting churches in Italy or parts of Spain. There you have to have your shoulders and knees covered. Pants or longer skirts and short sleeve shirts are fine. I wear sleeveless tops but have a scarf or cardigan for inside churches. Anywhere else in that isn’t in church itself or the Vatican museum you can dress as you do at home.

I was in a hotel in Prague a couple of years ago and a group of about 20 female American students were staying in the same hotel. At breakfast one girl came to breakfast in the Hello Kitty pajamas and her dressing gown. the group leader, a very matronly English lady took one look at her and said "we are in Europe, we dress for breakfast in Europe", she was not a happy young lady,probably still jet lagged.
so remember , dress for breakfast.

Thanks again everyone!! Thankfully, I ALWAYS dress for breakfast and there’s a scarf sale nearby!

Hi, Elizabeth, and welcome the the RS forum! It's so great to see someone from the upcoming generation of travelers amongst us!

Since you're even asking this question, you already strike me as a
very thoughtful person who will make good clothing choices

I would agree and don't think you have a thing to worry about as the teens we've seen in Europe look pretty much like the young people at home. You've gotten good advice about the modesty thing for churches, and as we tend to pop in and out of any which look interesting (which are, in Italy, MOST of them. HA!) we pretty much dress for that possibility every day but the scarf trick works for many. Those also make nice lightweight, non-bulky souvenirs so pick up a couple during your trip?

Just as important is to keep your packing to a minimum. Mix-and-match items of easy-care fabrics is best, and anything which might only be worn once stays home. Less is definitely more when hauling your suitcase up and down a lot of steps and in and out of trains! :O)

Do come back and see us here if you have more questions but if not, have a wonderful time!
(Oh, and you just happen to live in my very favorite of U.S. cities. This Minnesotan is jonesing for a healthy dose of green chile ANYTHING. Lucky you...)

The only thing I have to add is that Italy will be hot and mostly humid as well. Loose clothes in materials that breathe are the most comfortable.

As chain mentioned ,Italy can be roasting hot in summer .’
My daughter wore mostly her regular wardrobe , but wore more skirts and sundresses because of the heat . Like me we both wore tank tops and spaghetti strap tops , BUT we tied wide gauzy scarfs to our purses that we could deal around our shoulders like shalls when going into churches ( no bare shoulders allowed , Italian churches are far more strict about that than French ones !)

Also if going to a church make sure dress or shorts go right to the knee . This mostly applies in Italy as I have been in churches in France that didn’t seem to care .

Teens wear mostly the same sort of stuff otherwise .

You can also wrap a pashmina scarf around your legs when you go into churches. Your knees are supposed to be covered. Italy seems to be the most concerned about it.

I was in southwest France recently and they had disposable paper sheets at the entrance that could be used for shoulders and/or legs. I hadn't seen those before.

Remember to save some room to buy a few things if you can swing it. Even getting something from Italy or France that you could buy in the States makes it that much more special! The sundress I got in southern France, the scarf from Italy, the Benetton sweater I bought as a teenager in Florence, they all had a certain stylishness that my clothes from home didn't have. :-)

It was alluded to, but worth emphasizing more, what is really important is packing light and making a minimum amount of clothes work. Basically that means:

• Pick things that all "go" together, that mix and match.
• Avoid having to take multiple pairs of shoes. Good sturdy, comfortable shoes are a must for most wear, taking a pair of sandals though for occasional wear is fine.
• Lean toward more "nicer" casual, basically things that work in nearly every situation...comfortable to walk around in, OK for churches, acceptable for a nice dinner, you get the idea.
• If financially able, as someone mentioned, do not feel that you need to pack for every contingency. If it gets cold, buy something warmer, if hot, pick up some additional light clothes, unexpectedly rainy...pick up a cheap rain poncho or jacket.
• Lean toward lightweight clothing, it's lighter to carry, usually easier to pack, and faster to dry if you wash it.

Elizabeth Anne, welcome to the Travel forum. I hope you have a wonderful trip and enjoy planning your trip with your father! You can learn so many things from the many forums here; I'm constantly amazed by the great advice people here take the time to share. There is a wonderful friendliness here. Peruse the forums and feel free to ask questions you may as you continue to plan. Better yet, if you have advice to share, go for it!