What to wear in Cathedrals and similar places?

Plan on having your knees and shoulders covered. A scarf will usually work. If you forget one, there's almost always a vendor selling them right there for everyone who is not appropriately dressed. I would advise you also bring a cardigan or some attire with sleeves, though, as there can still be quite cool days in May, especially in Northern Europe.

Brrrrrrrrr. Check the weather forecasts for all your destinations the week before you depart and rethink your packing. Chances are if you are sleeveless you are going to be FREEZING! (Northern Europe is on the parellel with Northern Canada!)

Just because Northern Europe is on the same latitudes as Northern Canada does not mean it is cold here because of it. That is what the warming Gulf Stream does for Europe. Frankfurt is level with Nova Scotia, but we have daffodils blooming right now and magnolias ready to burst open. Rome is about level with NYC, but I wouldn't say they have the same weather at all. It can be chilly in churches though, as the walls are so thick, with marble floors, and little warming sunlight. A sweater is a great idea.

It will depend on your location and what time in May you are going to Europe, but when I was in Italy last May (starting on the 19th) I was comfortable most of the time in sleeveless shirts during the day. Night is a different story, you definitely will want a jacket and pants, but during the day it was very pleasant and sometimes hot. You will be fine with capris, and covering your shoulders with a cardigan will be perfect. I brought a larger purse with me and just stuffed either one in there to throw on before I went into the church if I was wearing a top that didn't cover my shoulders. Your scarf will be enough, just need to cover your shoulders--not your whole arm or anything.

'(Northern Europe is on the parallel with Northern Canada!)' Interesting semi-fact, but no place mentioned in the op is in Northern Europe. Plus what Jo said.

Notre Dame Cathedral is in Northern Europe; Paris, France to be exact if you didn't already know. For example, I've been in Paris in June (the month after May if you didn't already know) and frozen my butt off. So there. If the gulf stream warms you; what does the Mistral from Russia do for you? I can add a question; why is there so much contention on this board? It's unnecessary and counterproductive and certainly does nothing to help the new travelers asking questions.

France isn't considered Northern Europe...here is a website so you can see which countries are in Northern Europe....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Europe

For the record: According to any standard geographacial text as well as the United Nations, the countries of Northern Europe are: UK, RoI, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Iceland, and Lithuania. The mistral is associated with France and comes out of the alps which are not in Russia. It blows toward the south, not toward Paris. I assumed that the reference to Notre Dame was for the one in Paris, but France is full of notre dame style cathedrals and there are Notre Dame de _________ all over the place in addition to Notre Dame de Paris. None of which are in northern europe since the countries of Northern Europe are: . . . .

Yes, but Joe, giving out false information is really not helpful to the newcomer to the boards. So, when someone makes a completely false statement, should we just be all nice and let it stay there so that the newcomer to France in May thinks they need to bring long-johns and a parka, cause the tundra hasn't thawed yet? No, we let them know what the correct answer is. If you really want to see the Gulf Stream at work, go down along the coast of the UK, where it is almost balmy, with flamingos, palms and such.

Tundra? No. Of course not, that's rediculous! I always go to Europe in June. It's true that every year is different. This year spring has come early.
However, I'll still take my layers and jacket to keep out the cold wind and rain. You guys can do what you will.

Let me quickly admit that in using the term "Mistral" I was incorrect. That was "hearsay" from a friend who lives in Paris. (Wiki explains Mistral perfectly). The point of that, which is often lost, was that the quick changes in the weather in Europe are frequently due to wind direction changes. They can have a warm wind from Africa or a cold, very cold wind from Russia. And, yes this does also affect the coast of Ireland. (Where the palm trees are).

Regardless of the weather patterns in UK, Ireland, and the continent, I would suggest brining something beyond a scarf for those unpredictable cold nights and the chilliness in most churches, cathedrals, and Notre Dames of Europe. No need to get a big coat or jacket, but a simple versatile cardigan would do. I would agree that in May, it may get a bit chilly perhaps (or not) and you may need something beyond a scarf (or not). It won't take much room and better prepared than not. If a scarf is all you'll bring, then it would be sufficient to cover your bare shoulders in order to get into the houses of worship.

May I suggest a pashmina instead of a scarf? They are thin and take up very little room in your luggage or daypack. They provide good coverage over your arms and shoulders, as well as a bit of warmth on cool evenings. Plus, I think they are classy.

Oh yes, a pashmina is a great suggestion. Heck, you can even take two.

While I appreciate everyone's thoughts and input, I have to admit that I probably won't ask a question in this forum again. This is the third question I've asked on this website and I feel like all of them result in people arguing with eachother and making me feel like it was a stupid question to ask. I will bring a sweater, I know it can be chilly anywhere no matter the season. I was just asking about scarves. Thank you D.D for your idea. Everyone is so aggressive about such a silly question.

Michelle, I would hate for you not to come back. There are a "few" posters here (for example Joe) are new and he gives incorrect info along with being nasty. The regulars here do not appreciate people being nasty and try to give correct info, of course we all could give wrong info at times but when we do we appreciate finding out the correct info.

You weren't asking about the temperature (so the whole "bring more than a scarf for chilly nights" issue), so what they said was irrelevant to you. Don't let it discourage you from getting your information; ignore comments like that as the rest of us do. If you find this board helpful in general, than I hope you keep posting or reading and don't let others affect you negatively.

coast of the UK, where it is almost balmy, with flamingos, palms and such Which flamingos would that be, Jo?

Ok, Nigel, I apologize for exagerating a tad, but not much. I did find lots of blogs and such of birdspotters that talked about the flamingos they saw, but no really good website that I could post a link to. Anyway, here are the palm trees of Ireland.
http://www.triskelle.eu/tourism/climate.php?index=100.020 Michelle, please do keep coming back on the Helpline and asking more questions. Some of us just like to josh with each other a bit, and none of it is very serious.

The only places I've seen that actually enforce a dress code are in Italy. There the dress code is no exposed shoulders or knees (I think midriff goes without saying). Sandals are fine. A scarf over the shoulders works. It's not a bad idea to use the same dress code elsewhere but I've never seen anyone being asked to leave because of it. I've seen a lot of great weather in May. It always pays, however, to build in enough flexibility in your suitcase to cover a wide variety of potential weather (hot, cold, wet, windy).

I've seen the dress code enforced in Spain and I've seen people turned away at the doors because of it. Best to be prepared to cover your shoulders and knees (and midriffs!).

While some places can be strict, most are not. So far we've been to perhaps 20 major churches/cathedrals & many more minor ones with wife and two daughters in tow - most in very warm weather - and never dressed differently for the occasion or were turned away. We have not yet been to Italy or Spain though. The point is that most other places, it's not much of an issue. And FYI all; it takes two to have an argument.