Appropriate Clothing Italy in October

You can wear pink or yellow if you like, nobody will really care about your colors; just consider that Autumn weather seems to have started early this year, today is raining hard in Florence and a white dress could not withstand it.

No bare shoulders or knees at the Vatican (actually in all churches, even if not enforced). But I suspect you would freeze before arriving at the Vatican with bare shoulders.

Wear what you want and are comfortable in. Days of the fashion police are long gone. However, do respect the Vatican rules of dress.

No sleeveless tops in any Catholic or Orthodox churches.

I have no clue about clothing styles. I focus on being prepared for the full range of weather possibilities.

I learned on my first trip to Europe that white below the waist was a big mistake--it's way too easy to come in contact with a dirty wall, the exterior of a bus, etc.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/where-did-rule-not-wearing-135244576.html

Pretty much class snobbery, with a tiny root in practicality.

In addition to the fact that no sleeveless tops are to be worn inside churches, no shorts or mini skirts are allowed in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. There are some other churches which strictly enforce the above dress code. However, it is an "unwritten" rule in all Catholic churches, but not always enforced. It is enforced in St Peter's in the Vatican. Many years ago, it was enforced in the Duomo in Florence as well.

Bare shoulders or skirts above the knees are not appropriate for churches, although enforced only in major cathedrals. In any case temperatures in October are in the 50s F in the evenings (and often 60s to low 70s during the day), so I wouldn’t necessarily dress like you are going to Miami. Be ready for anything in October, including plenty or rain, especially toward the end of the month (and this year I have been told by relatives, rains started early).

I’m in Tuscany now after a new days in Florence. It’s rainy and cool. I’m wearing layers, fall clothes, long pants, sweaters and jackets. Waterproof walking shoes. No longer are summer clothes appropriate for comfort’s sake.

I’ve been home 10 days from multi towns in Italy. You’ve heard this before—no one cares what you wear. You’re just another face in the crowd to both locals and other tourists. You will see everything being worn. Cover your shoulders and knees in churches. Wear what is weather appropriate. Relax and enjoy your trip.

We are here in the Salento area now and it’s still hot and humid…26-30 C.
Sandals, sleeveless dresses, etc.
Lots of flowy pants on women, and lots of colour.
Just bring layers to take on and off as necessary….you’ll be fine.
Dont forget your good supportive walking sandals and shoes!

in the United States there is an unwritten law about not wearing white after Labor Day.

Not true in typical life ca. 2024.

Also, as regards the "no uncovered arms, no shorts for men, no skirts above the knee" in Italian churches, that's no longer the case. Obviously miniskirts tailored for sex appeal aren't appropriate, nor are spaghetti straps and decolletage. But my wife is traveling primarily with golf and tennis skirts with the accompanying polo shirts, and I'm wearing golf shorts. We've received no disapproval upon entering Catholic churches in Italy, including from a couple of padres and monks we've encountered inside. And we've not been alone in our mode of attire.

(Note: I don't suggest these more-relaxed rules apply in the Vatican.)

Dress respectfully at churches and the fashion police are not a concern, are the messages I am hearing. Your respones have been very helpful and relieve much anxiety. Grazie Mille.

Many, many (I would say most) Catholic and Orthodox churches in Europe, at least those of enough interest to tourists that they are mentioned in some guidebooks, now have pictorial signs showing what is and isn't OK. Churches that are free to enter do not usually have paid staff watching the door. I don't consider that to mean those signs are there to decorate the doorway.

I don't believe anyone has pointed out in this thread that the Sistine Chapel, which is part of the Vatican Museums, is a church. That means the standard clothing restrictions apply in the Vatican Museums.

Last year I stayed for the month of September in a city not far from Florence. For the first 3 weeks, I was grateful for having brought linen clothing and sandals, and the local ladies were wearing similar clothing. By the 4th week, it was noticeably cool in the mornings/evenings and the local ladies had switched to wearing darker colors overall—smart jeans or twill pants, closed-toed flats, and pullover sweaters or blazer-type jackets.

There’s a saying that Italians dress for the season not for the weather. Many Italians don’t have large enough closets to store all four seasons of clothing, so they put their off-season clothing in the attic or other storage. The changeover from summer to autumn wardrobe will have happened by mid-October in Florence, maybe Rome.

Currently in Italy in October and yes, you should wear what you like but be prepared for cooler weather and always have a plan for rain.

Last year it was nearly 90 in Siena in the middle of October but this year Florence is low 50s to mid 60s today and they've had almost an inch of rain in the last few days with another 2 inches predicted over the next week. In a typical October I would expect to have an outer layer - rain or warmth - at least handy if you have bare shoulders that need to be covered but unless mid 60s is shorts required weather I'd expect you'll be covered enough for churches anyway.

The only fashion thing that has surprised me is the fancy athletic shoes even on men in business attire. Big cities may still be clinging to the fancy Italian shoe but I've seen many obviously well dressed, stylish men in athletic shoes with their sport coats and slacks.

Have a great trip,
=Tod