Going to be in Rome, Florence, Venice in a few weeks... I know it will be hot in mid-July and would like to wear shorts to be comfortable. If I have shorts that go to about knee level, will there be any issues getting in the churches? What about my wife (she has capri pants too which I think she'll likely wear more)? I think it just might be uncomfortable wearing jeans or long pants around if its very hot, but want to be able to get in to see the sights too. On a similar note, what kind of dress code is needed in most restaurants? What about nice ones for dinner? Are dress shoes and slacks necessary for men? Would sneakers/walking shoes and shorts be frowned upon?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Oops. Donna's information is not correct as to St. Peter's. See signs posted everwhere for what I mean. The issue is exposed knees and exposed shoulders. Those are forbidden. You can wear shorts that are long enough to cover your knees. See that photo if you don't believe me. Happy travels.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
For most churches longer shorts will be okay. They do prefer that men wear pants but most churches will let you get away with long shirts. The exception is st. Peters basilica. They require men to wear pants and can deny you entry if in shorts, even long ones. You may get in but I would suggest not taking the chance. The other thing to consider is to buy those convertible pants with the zip off legs. This way you can wear them as shorts outside and still respect the rules when inside. Donna
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
There is a modesty requirement for churches in Italy. The signs very clearly state no bare shoulders (i.e. tank top), and no bare knees. The important churches that you will want to visit, especially St. Peter's have people outside who will deny entry to those not appropriately dressed. Both my husband and myself were also not allowed into the Abbey at Montecassio because we wore shorts. Shorts on men don't pass the code, even "long shorts", unless by long shorts you mean the capri-style pants that many European men wear. My husband and son wore shorts on the days we were visiting antiquities like Pompeii, Colosseum, etc. They wore long khakis on the other days. My daughter and I wore long skirts or capris and took a scarf/light sweater to throw over our tank tops. For eating - I know that we walked in wearing whatever we had on for the day with all our lunches. Most nights we had the opportunity to change before dinner. I'm sure that some of those nights my husband changed into long pants, but I never saw anyone turned away for wearing shorts.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23546 posts
Some will post that you can do/wear what ever you want. And that is true. But my goal is to always dress a little bit better than the average American tourists which is easy to do. Certainly jeans or any heavy cotton pants will be hot but that is not the only choices available. There are many light weight pants that are just as cool as shorts and look so much better. I think the zip off pants look dorky because you are not on safari. In the evening the middle to better restaurants will expect you to dress a little a bit. But if you are sitting there in your t-shirt and short they will be willing to take your money.
Posted by
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
290 posts
I would just add, maybe some people have gotten away with getting in with the improper dress code, but just put on a good show and follow the rules and do things the right way, for goodness sake! The pants with zip-off lower legs are a great idea, and many women go sleeveless but bring a lightweight wrap for their shoulders so they can enter the churches. The good thing is, it's usually a lot cooler inside the churches, filled as they are with stone and marble.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
To answer your question about restaurants: I've never encountered one with an actual dress code, as one finds in the US (eg, all men must wear jackets). You will not be turned away (oh, maybe in some very fancy/stuffy place, but these are hard to find, as Italians don't go in for such places, either). Europeans dress up a bit more than Americans for dinner, meaning they usually don't wear shorts, tank tops, sneakers, and the like to restaurants for dinner. While I just said you will not be turned away in these, you will feel out of place. It's cooler at night, so wearing long pants is not such a problem. You can certainly wear short sleeves to dinner (like a polo shirt). Walking shoes are fine - no need for Jimmy Choo's or Ferragamo's (or the male equivalents). BTW, I wouldn't bring jeans to Italy in the summer - too hot. Bring other, lighter weight long pants.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
There is nothing wrong with wearing the pants with the zip off legs. It's the best of both worlds. 90% of the time you'll be in shorts and the other 10% of the time, when you're in a church, you won't need to worry about getting in or asked to leave. Who cares if someone else thinks they are only for being on Safari, they are a very good alternative to wearing pants all day long on a very hot and humid vacation. Donna