Dress code for 12 year old boy for churches in Italy

If you want to get into the best churches/cathedrals, it's best to err on the side of caution. I mean, it's really up to the guards/enforcers at the door, and if you're out of luck, then you don't get into some of the best churches. Why take the chance? He can wear zip-off's, if it's a huge deal.
[edit added later]: yes, as Tim says, it's about respect.

Yes, it does. Altho he was 20 not 12 at the time, my nephew was not able to enter Santa Maria Maggiore because his shorts were above his knees. The visit was a spur of the moment - you know..walking by, thought we would zip in - so he didn't mind waiting outside while we spent a few minutes inside.

IF he is able to skootch the shorts down over his knees he'll be OK.

It's also about respect. It's probably MORE about respect than anything else.

No shorts, flip flops or tank tops.
Discretion with graphic tees.

Maybe get him a pair of zip-off pants?

Age 12 is a good time to learn that beach and playground clothes and Church clothes are not the same thing

Yes. I have boys and they have to wear long pants and short sleeve shirts to Italian churches. Just the rules - shoulders and knees covered.

No need to dress up - jogging pants or jeans are fine, as are t shirts. Just cover the knees and shoulders.

As to graphic t shirts - there’s no issue. I mean shirts with swear words would be inappropriate but technically allowed. I picture graphic ts as something with pictures of sports teams or Spider-Man or something which is perfectly fine.

Thank you Tim.

I know this is the dress code for girls and women this is incorrect. It is for everyone that shoulders and knees are to be covered. It does vary between churches, and the younger children seem to be exempt, however, at 12 some 'boys' are 'men' so get him used to the societal rules for appropriate dress. Even if they are baggie cargo shorts, they might not make a good impression, but if below the knee, then they will do. You can always take a big scarf in your purse and offer it to him to cover his knees worn like a skirt if he doesn't want to comply to the shorts covering knees. Covered shoulders goes without saying - sunburn is enough of a reason and less is not always best (or cooler).

Amen, Tim.

Short pants can be a respectable piece of formal school uniforms in some parts of the world. My guess is that it would be normal for students to be wearing them on field trips of all sorts, including to religious institutions, unless otherwise requested.

Example:
https://www.balmacewen.school.nz/about-us/uniforms/

Summer uniforms (below; scroll down to pix)) for elementary, middle-school and senior gentlemen at this church-based school. It's interesting to note that shorts are required to be no longer than 5cm above the knee!

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58dc31f95016e1b665cb3e6c/t/5b67874270a6adef3b1744b8/1533511520295/Uniform+Requirements+2018.pdf

And....
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-bangkok-thailand-four-thai-school-boys-in-their-standard-white-shirt-81843345.html

Maybe what's considered appropriate dress can vary according to custom/institution and so understandable if there might be some confusion?

There appears to have been some strong discussion here.

To simply answer the question posed by the original poster - yes, it applies to both sexes.

Here's the Vatican dress code sign. There is no age involved.
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-rome-st-peters-dress-code-sign-11800831.html

Definitely some interesting replies...

True, Nigel, that the simple answer is always best.

It's just that there was a logical reason for the dress question: guidelines CAN be different for children versus adults depending on the situation/custom. I didn't see that the OP intended any sort of disrespect and in fact is showing sensitivity so she, and her grandson, can be properly prepared.

Kathy, I fail to see what school dress codes in NZ, Australia, and Thailand have to do with church dress codes in Italy. Of course dress codes differ from country to country. That's why the OP asked the question. And the answer was quite straight forward. The 12 you will have to abide by it.

Sigh....

The point I was trying to make was about the 'respect' comments, as if the OP was thinking about trying to slide under the rules. She wasn't so gosh, let's go easy on her, OK? Also that shorts are not strictly for the beach or playground; there are shorts as appropriately modest private-school uniforms here U.S. too.

But never mind, the dress question was answered.

My take on respect was in response to the answers not the question. Nothing wrong with the question at all. And maybe I am a tad sensitive and a bit out of line in my thinking. I just hear so much of what can I get away with, and there isnt any dress code enforced so do what you want, and "I felt comfortable" as if you are all that matters in the world. Never, and I do mean never have I seen a post that suggests you might consider your impact on those around you, rules or no rules. Yes, sorry, I am ranting and it has absolutely nothing to do with this thread. My apologies. Its past time for my lithium dose.

It’s unhealthy for children to wear pants in the summer, if it really hot. My kids don’t give a hoot about churches anyway and sit outside if I want to peek inside. That said, they’ve gone inside of churches with shorts on and had no issues as no one is going to bother with a child. I’m sure God doesn’t mind.

Big name sites such as the Vatican or St. Mark’s aside, my experience has been that churches are concerned with beach wear or overly casual clothes not shorts in and of themselves. We recently travelled in Italy in second-tier tourist cities. My husband wore long shorts just above the knee (with collared shirts), and I often work dresses that skimmed the knee (which are formal enough to wear to work during the summer). Our young child was similarly dressed. We never had any kind of trouble entering a church. The graphic signs indicating prohibitions showed figures in very short shorts and tank tops, not just shorts in general. In most cases, I think a pre-teen in long shorts would be fine, but he should be prepared to cover his knees at the most touristed churches.

While some have been allowed in wearing clothes contrary to posted rules, I think the bottom line is that if you're in doubt to err on the side of caution.

Keep in mind that Security might allow someone in with shorts just above the knee one day and not the next - bottom line is if its the latter, you're not getting in.