We'll be traveling late May to mid June in Rome, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Italian lake district, Bernese Oberland, Montreux, and Geneva. Which areas will I feel comfortable in wearing shorts and where will slacks be in order?
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
I used to be one of the people chiming in with no shorts in cities. Then on a day it was 90+ I said the heck with it. So if its hot in Rome I'm in shorts... Can't go into churches that way, though.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Here we go again...
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
speedo's ?
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
If you wear speedos, won't people know where you have your money belt hidden?
Generally, I don't wear shorts but then generally I avoid Italy in the hot season.
Except for the churches that have a dress code, no one will scream at you for wearing shorts.
If you wear shorts to a nice restaurant, you may be seated next to the kitchen.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
To be serious, (unlike the other posters above) my husband does travel with shorts in Italy, and wears them when it's hot. They are very nice shorts, to the knee, in a darker color. When it's hot, he wants to be comfortable, and I don't blame him.
Just pair the longer shorts with a polo shirt and not a bright, t-shirt with some logo. (although you will see lots of soccer team t-shirts on men/boys in Europe)
If you wear shorts at home, wear shorts when you travel.
He has never felt out of place, we are too busy enjoying the sights and food and experiences of our travel to worry about what some one passing us on the street might think of our dress.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
251 posts
As Steve hinted at, I would wear shorts around Cinque Terre, hiking in the BO, and possibly around the lake district. Otherwise I would wear pants, to be respectful. Yes, if it's 100 degrees or something in Rome and you're dying to wear shorts it won't kill you to do so. But there will be a handful of churches that you won't be able to get in to. But overall, again, I'd wear pants every time you get a chance, especially in Italy. In Switzerland, I don't think they mind as much (but I think I was wearing pants anyway when I went through Montreux and Geneva, same time of year, just because it wasn't super hot, so shorts weren't really necessary).
Anyway, enjoy your travels!