Dress Codes: American v. Italian

Wear what you like and what is comfortable. There is no way that you will not be seen as a tourist. Italy is no more formal than most anywhere , especially as regards younger people. Young women wear heels and pointy shoes that defy belief and most teens wear things like Yankee baseball caps ( tho they care little about baseball or any sport other than football -- what we call soccer).
T-shirts with emblems and logos printed thereon are common. Sneakers are widespread. Those wearing the suits and fashionable outfits tend to be office workers and that is pretty much a universal Western uniform

If you want to try to blend in, go with your more formal suggestion. Up until a few years ago, very few Italian men wore shorts in public. Recently, on informal occasions, some have started wearing bermuda length shorts with nice leather sandal-type shoes (no Birks or Tevas). In order to avoid hassles upon entering churches, avoid wearing shorts. Have a great trip!

Derik-

We'll never "not" look like visitors- I mean, the back pack, camera, glazed eyes... but New Balance or Keen make shoes every bit as comfortable as tennis shoes that look better. Shorts on a hot day in the CT or Amalfi coast are fashionable, but... in Roma, Siena, Firenze- good looking, well fitting jeans, collared shirt- if you do a 2-3 day beard growth, you can pull off Italian cool. Just weld a cell phone to your ear, and some nice shades- some will think you're a local.

If you're travelling in July/August, it will be much too hot for jeans.

Unless you're planning to hit a fancy dinner party or formal event, wear what makes you comfortable travelling anywhere - clean, well kept, comfortable. As soon as you open your mouth, they'll know you're not Italian (probably long before that). Prior posters are correct that shorts in many churches (esp. St. Peter's in Rome) will be bad news - either wear the dreaded zip off pants or stick with long pants.

Yes, they'll know you're a tourist no matter what but I firmly believe that in Italy you're treated better if you don't look like you're there to mow the lawn (to steal a line from RS). Lightweight khakis are at least as comfortable as shorts (and they keep your legs from getting sunburned) plus, as noted, you can get into churches wearing the khakis. And there are some great walking shoes that are a cross between dress shoes and tennis shoes. Rome and Florence have more emphasis on looking nice ("la bella figura") than does Siena (which is swamped with college students). I don't know about Padua.

Italians in the big cities dress stylishly, and this doesn't include shorts, athletic shoes. the khakis and casual walking shoes, (with a nicer shirt than a typical t-shirt) will be fine.

If you take into account that last year a big style for men was "Man Capris", I think you can put your concerns about attire to rest. Wear what you would wear in the States.

Stick with the basics... black. Black pants some dark colored shirts and some dark shoes. Avoid the fanny pack and remember that an average italian spends more on their wardrobe than they do on their scooters....

any suggestions for that perfect shoe, that doesn't look athletic, but is comfortable, for summer- sandals or shoe.

Derik, don't go "Clark Griswold" and don't go "Miami Beach" and you should be fine with whatever is comfortable. Most of Europe has relaxed many of the unwritten dress codes that it's known for.

Be comfortable. If you are going in the summer when it is hot and humid wear light weight clothing.

In the cities I see more men in long kakhi type pants than in shorts.

I am going to Italy in May and as of now, I am planning on bringing lots of capri pants and cute tops and I found these comfy Calvin Klein mary jane sneaker type shoes. They are trendy but not clunky. :-)

Having just returned from Italy...as crowded as it will be in each of those places except Siena (perhaps), you simply will not stand out from the herd of tourists regardless of what you wear. As much as folks rhapsodize about Venice, I don't know that I need to return there anytime soon as even in March, it was FULL of tourists and mostly busloads of college and high school students from the US (ok, it WAS Spring Break, but summer will be even worse). Wear what you find comfortable. I saw PLENTY of Italians (young men and young women) wearing, gasp, WHITE SNEAKERS and JEANS! As long as you are polite and respectful, no one is going to mistreat you (except perhaps the dress code enforcers at the churches).

I was surprised how much of Scandinavias younger crowds walked around like my home town beach cities! All the same surfer wear. I agree - for real warm weather im sure your cargos are fine and convenient (less stuff in the day pack!). Makesure they have zippers/buttons/velcro or something or add them. BUT for Italy do plan to wear a lite long pants for the churches, as well as nice/casual dinners out. Just try to plan for whats on the agenda for THAT day and youre good to go! (or bring a pair of super lite adventure/alpine pants in your day pack to slip on if needed)

Wear whatever is going to be comfortable for you. I went one year in the middle of August and did not take any shorts on the recommendation of some friends. When I got there, everyone from all around the world were wearing shorts!!!! Be comfortable!!

We were there in Oct. and saw plenty of Italians (as well as tourists) in white athletic shoes and jeans. As long as you are clean and well-kept, you'll be fine. You will need those long pants though - other posters are correct about needing them for the churches. Also, you'll want shirts that cover your shoulders - no tank tops allowed in the churches either. The more comfortable the shoe, the better - you'll be walking on lots of uneven cobblestones and climbing LOTS of stairs. Be comfortable and have a great trip!!!

The actual dress code is for churches. No shorts or short skirts, essentially shoulders and knees covered. Other than that it's a matter of feeling appropriately dressed.