We will be traveling to Bellagio, Chianti and the Cinque Terre next week. I have read posts about proper dress attire for St. Peters, but don't know if that holds true for churches in the smaller towns. Are shorts for both men and women appropriate? Thanks!
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
No they are not appropriate, but churches in smaller towns are less likely to have people who turn you away.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
Smaller towns are far less strict. Have seen lots of people in shorts in churches across Chianti.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
The point is that when you enter any church you should show respect. Smaller churches will not have the guards posted as they do at St. Peter's or San Marco. But the small churches are still places of worship and devotion. Would you go into a church in your home town in shorts? Of course not!
Posted by
Catadupa Alamere, CA
515 posts
You will find in churches, in cities as well as villages, people who are there for deeply personal reasons that are unrealated to tourism
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
Doug-this is where you have to be careful in saying "would you wear shorts in your own church?". My mother attends a catholic church in Arizona and yes, many people wear shorts and are welcomed. But in Italy, you are expected to dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees in ALL churches. It is like going to a temple in India where you must remove your shoes. But in the smaller cities or in smaller churches in the big cities there are not usually entrance personnel like there are in the main touristed cathedrals. This doesn't mean that it is okay to wear shorts there but you are more likely to get away with it.
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
It is not uncommon at all in either Reno, NV or Austin, TX to see people in shorts at catholic mass. Also very common to see bare shoulders, knees below skirt hems and even a midriff or two. When we go to Europe though, we wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees for entering churches. I usually keep a light sweater or scarf with me if I decide to wear a no-sleeve shirt and usually wear the pants with the zip off legs to be able to switch back and forth quickly on warmer days.
Posted by
OP
st.louis, mo, usa
4 posts
It is common for people to wear shorts to Mass where I live also. I would never disrespect someone's beliefs, or their time to pray on purpose. I was just wondering if the same standards were kept in the smaller towns as in St. Peter's and such. Thank you everyone for replying, we will be wearing pants !
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
On a side note, when we went to mass at the Pantheon, the two musicians both wore jeans. So before all that starts up... yes they do.