Dress length and Italian churches

Covered knees means covered knees. Not half way or close to it. How tight is the enforcement -- strictly up to the guards at the entrance but when enforced it tends to be strictly enforced. Either wear tights or carry something to wrap around that is below the knees. Remember this is not a Disney reproduction but a functioning church and they want the same respect from tourists as from the locals. And you should give that respect even if the guard is not present. Be a respectful tourist.

If your waistband is elastic, just tug the skirt down. It will ride low on your hips/butt while seeing the church, but a t-shirt will cover that and then you can readjust when you leave. I typically wear a-line cotton/elastane Prana-type skirts, which sit in the middle or top of my knee. I just pull them low around the waist and haven't had any trouble. In a pinch, I carry a lightweight scarf (on sale everywhere in Italy for this reason) that I can wrap around my waist or shoulders, and then shove in my purse/bag when not in use

"I know women are supposed to have knees and shoulders covered when they visit churches in Italy" - so you already know the right answer.

How strict is the policy?
It's not just about whether it's strictly enforced, but about whether you want to be respectful of their wishes in their sacred place of worship.

You can always carry a shawl of some sort that is wide enough so that when you wrap it around your waist it will cover your knees.

Chiara's suggestion is a good one if you wear dresses, not skirts. Pashminas are sold all over the place, are attractive, take up very little room in a day bag, and are versatile. I have a drawer full that I've collected over the years, and always pack a couple. Wrap around the waist or shoulders. Use instead of a cardigan on cool evenings. Use as a travel blanket on planes or trains.

The Boden catalogue has a lot of knee-length to just below knee skirt & dress options this spring. You can check there.

I had a shawl and a maxi skirt, and it worked perfectly.

There are tons of midi dresses around right now. High-low dresses, too. I don’t look good in midi’s, so will wear a maxi on days I plan on going to spend considerable time in a church, and I will take a scarf to wrap around my above knee dresses on spur of the moment. I will only take dresses with short sleeves this time.

I Don’t know your style but here are a few options. Come on over to the Tips and Trips/packing forum. We’ve discussed this subject there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0827QXSQY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here Is another midi. They are all over, seriously!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sofia-Jeans-by-Sofia-Vergara-Sleeveless-Ruffle-Hem-Midi-Dress-Women-s/814858425

I know women are supposed to have knees and shoulders covered when they visit churches in Italy

Just in case you are travelling with some guy: Men's knees and shoulders must be covered, too.

Remember this is not a Disney reproduction but a functioning church and they want the same respect from tourists as from the locals. And you should give that respect even if the guard is not present. Be a respectful tourist.

Thank you for pointing this out. I went to Europe on a school trip when I was in high school, way back in 1966. Our chaperone emphasized we were guests and should respect the norms and traditions of our hosts.

When we travel now, I'm amazed at how may American tourists are dressed as if it is a day as Disney World (or WalMart) instead of a visit to one of the world's most important and historic sites. Knowledge and respect seem to be in short supply nowadays.

Lot's of girls/women wearing shorts just tie a shawl/scarf around their waist when they enter and take off when they exit, as mentioned earlier. Not done fashionably at all, just slapped on, tied and off they go. On our visits you could tell the scarfs where ones purchased while in Italy, they are sold all over, thin and easy to stuff in your day bag. Plus it is just a good idea to always have a scarf on hand when traveling. I wear tank tops pretty much the whole time in Italy, so I just have one of those thin knit cardigans handy to wear. So don't worry about what you are wearing that day for the brief time spent in a church, just have your backup plan scarf.

Just wondering, is it necessary to wear a dress? Are pants not allowed? Not saying that's what you should do, but wondering for my own information.

Thank you for your responses, especially the women who gave advice on scarves or links to look at suitable dresses. I am an older woman, and I wish knee length dresses were in more evidence and not just for wearing in Italian churches. For the couple of you who implied I needed to show respect, that wasn't the issue--I have no desire to go to church flashing my knobby knees or varicose veins (ugh!). I've been looking for an appropriate dress/skirt for several weeks and had just about decided I was going to need to ask a quilting friend to make me a skirt. Then, ironically right after I posted my question on the forum, I began to see more dresses with covered shoulders and knees but not floor-length (too hot). Maybe it was just too early in the season for retailers to have these on display. Again, thank you to all who gave helpful advice.

Are pants not allowed?

Definitely allowed, and many choose that option (I did). Some women find skirts to be more comfortable (particularly in hot weather), but I'm not one of them :)

... For the couple of you who implied I needed to show respect, that wasn't the issue--I But you ask how strict was the policy and implying that you would violate the policy if it was not strictly enforced. All we can do is read your words.

What Chiara said.

Plus, I own no dresses or skirts. I do not find them cooler in hot weather and they typically take up too much packing room and weigh too much for my carry-on luggage.

Oh, and living in southern AZ, I know about heat. I find covering up, usually with linen or a very light cotton or a suitable synthetic wicking fabric far cooler than having the sun beating down on bare skin.

PS. Not sure when you're planning to go, but you do realize that the entire country of Italy is currently on lockdown, right?

Thanks for clarifying real pants, and sorry for piggybacking on your thread, northwestcoyote. Your question raised the pants question in my mind.

Hope you have a wonderful trip, and I hope you are able to go, as planned.

OP, it’s still a little early for dresses in the store....I’ve been looking and anxiously waiting. So, I’ve been looking online. In a month or two, you’ll see tons!

Hi, Lo
We had been planning to go this spring, but opted out a couple of weeks ago. At this point, I was just planning ahead.

Frank--There's reading words and there's interpreting words. Let's just move gracefully on.

Again, I thank the very helpful ladies who have responded with so many good ideas.

Admin: please close this thread. I've received many helpful answers and I believe my problem is solved. Thank you.