Clothing question

In 2019, we were in a mid-level restaurant in Bologna for lunch.
Next to us was a table of 6 Italian middle-aged males. All were wearing cargo shorts.

Will be in Italy early September and if weather is hot, my brother will be wearing shorts. On previous trips have never seen many women wearing shorts though - mainly skirts and dresses in summer. But, if visiting churches etc, I would check the dress code.

Last August, we were in Switzerland and France, it was very hot and muggy and there were quite a few people, including the older men and women, with shorts on, sitting in parks and on benches by the lakes. In Italy especially, do not wear shorts into churches. I have capri’s that cover the tops of my knee that work when it’s warm. And I wouldn’t worry about standing out, no one really cares.

Maybe shorts are not worn as often in Italy as they are in the U.S. but both Italian men and women do wear shorts—
especially today in Rome where the temperature was 100 degrees.

We were just in Bologna where it was scorching. All the men had shorts on. Women were more likely to have skirts or dresses on.

I havent been to italy in a few years, but unless the Italians at home in Italy act differently than they do on holiday here, they wear shorts as often as Americans do.

But people sort of missed the real issue. You are traveling in northern Italy (and southern Italy) in September so the fact that it is 100F in Rome yesterday really doesnt matter.

Your shorts might be a tad cool in the north and not essential in the south. More so in late September and less so in early September. Just comes down to how much you want to pack. I say this as I am about to walk out my front door into a major European city ...... wearing shorts.

I heard a lot about the need to dress more sophisticatedly in Italy. I found Venice slightly dressier, but also many of those were tourists following that same recommendation or dressed for their IG pics:). Everywhere else (Bologna, Lucca, Barga), I’ve seen casual dress and even very short jean shorts worn by local young women that I heard were not a thing here. This could be because it’s been SO hot that this is an exception. Churches have not even been enforcing covering shoulders, let alone knees.

I heard a lot about the need to dress more sophisticatedly in Italy.

I think that is maybe 15% true and 85% perception from the television and movies we watch.

We have traveled to Italy many times and have seen the fashion trends throughout those visits. Yes, younger Italians wear shorts, but Italian women of a certain age don't. It may be that the increase in shorts is because tourists--American and European--wear shorts. I think a better way to decide is if you can pull off "Bella figure" in shorts. Some people who wear shorts shouldn't.

I have been to Italy many times since I first visited in 1983.

Italians have been known to dress well as long as I can remember. I say they still tend to dress with style and not dress down like many Americans.
Still, I have seen changes in the more recent years, with Italians dressing down more. However, they haven't reached American levels where people wear torn clothing, T-shirts, etc.

Recently in Rome, Florence, and Venice. 20 years ago visiting Italy I tried my best to dress and act like a local. This time around - there were so many tourists wearing all sorts of clothing, I felt it really didn’t matter. With temps 90-95 during our visit, some men wore pants, but many were in shorts. Looking back, I was too worried about trying to fit in, but in practice I don’t think anyone cared. FWIW - most of the time I wore khaki shorts and a solid color T-shirt (no print, some with a simple logo like nautica).

Maybe try for linen shorts. Linen is worn a lot more in Italy than the US, and it's cooler. Of course it wrinkles, but then everyone knows you are wearing linen.