Dress code at the Vatican?

Women need to have their knees covered. Capris are quite popular in Europe for the summer and a good solution if you don't like wearing skirts. I've never heard of women not being allowed to wear full or 3/4 length pants.

No, you do not need to wear a skirt to enter the vatican. You can wear pants, capris or longer skirts and any shirt that has sleeves or wear a scarf over your shoulders. You were given inaccurate advice.

Donna

I wore pants in the Vatican Museums and at St Peters less than 2 weeks ago. I suspect the majority of the women there were also in pants, including the tour guides.

Women can get in with pants if they wish. The last time we were in Rome was July 2006 and I was allowed in to St. Peters wearing a skirt that hit just above my knee with no problem. Saw lots of women being allowed in wearing much shorter skirts. My husband and boys wore pants. Was there a few years earlier and also saw quite short skirts allowed but no shorts on any adults or even elementary age children allowed. At least 2 levels of cloths patrol so you may get through the first one but they may still stop you. Saw people trying to tie a scarf around their waist to cover the shorts but no luck.

When in Rome etc.. Look around. An Italian man orwoman wouldnt be seen dead inholiday clothesin St Peters Basilica. Be respectful and wear your Sunday best. Otherwise you will feel uncouth and shoddy. I am not a catholic but St Peters and the Vatican are so beautiful I always want to look as good as I can to blend in with the sumptious surroundings.

Don't look for consistency in rules in Italy. You're often at the mercy of the guards. We tried to get into the Duomo in Bologna but were told we couldn't bring our small daypack inside. As we're being told this, women with larger purses and men with larger messenger bags were being waved right in. When asked why the larger bags could go in but our smaller daypack couldn't, the guard just shrugged.

As for the Vatican, why chance it? Make sure your knees and shoulders are completely covered.

Last May, I saw a young girl wearing very, very short "hot pants" in St. Peter's. I have no idea how she got by with it. St. Peter's is overrun by tourists wearing "tourist" clothing. There is no need for your "Sunday best" unless you are attending Mass there.

Scott - it isn`t a question of no need its a question of respect and the irritant of the dumbing down of standards SO obvious and inherent in these laise-faire times. Grump grump grump.

It's important to know the rules are simply about modesty. Knees covered, shoulders covered (and I would imagine midriff covered). Sandals are fine, pants or capris are fine, T-shirts are fine (although there might be a problem if it had something objectionable printed on it).

There really is no requirement to look dressed up.

Thanks everyone!